It has arrived the moment Marco Frigo has been waiting for since he became Italian champion in 2019 in his first year in the U23s in Corsanico, Tuscany. He had just turned 19, the shirt of the Ointment it seemed like the best way to make a quick transition to professionalism. Only at the end of the year, the Vicenza native from Bassano del Grappa decided to follow in Alberto Dainese's footsteps, who the year before had left the Castelfranco team, moving to Seg Academy Racing in Holland.
“I want to learn as much as possible,” he said, “and I expect to grow in a professional and well-organized environment like that of SEGGoing abroad is a big step, but I have been in contact with Alberto Dainese and Edoardo Affini and they really encouraged me to do it. When we spoke, I was immediately convinced by their ideas and plans. I'm sure I made the right choice."
After two years in the Dutch prosecutors' team, The doors of the Israel Cycling Academy Continental have opened for Frigo and from this year the real professionalism has arrived with the Israel Premier Tech.
What effect does it have?
Certainly first of all it's a great emotion. My professional debut has finally arrived, even though I had a chance to try it out in the past few years, though. We'll try to have a good race, there are many beautiful stages for NizzoloWe'll see what the wind threat will be with these very open roads, but we'll be ready for anything.
Was winter different in terms of quality and quantity of work?
Certainly a little more volume was made than last yearBut I'm happy because everything went smoothly. I had two training camps in Spain, so it was a great commitment that allowed us to have peace of mind and continuity.
You will do Giro and Tour, an important activity anyway.
Maybe there were some doubts at first about the license issue. Maybe we had to get a few races with wild cards, but that's okay. So the calendar, at least for me as a new professional, doesn't change much.The team is strong, we had some last minute additions, but they have already integrated well and I think we will be able to have a good year and redeem 2022.
You have a lot to redeem, in fact…
Yes, I was very unlucky last year. I fractured my ankle in December, I fractured my ankle in June, and I fractured my ankle in August, so it wasn't a great season. For this reason, on a personal level, I think I have to have a great year. I will try to help the team first of all and find my place in professionalism.To see where I need to improve, what I can improve on. Getting off to a good start is important.
What was your biggest regret from last season?
I think that the future was the biggest setback. L'Avenir and the Giro d'Italia. Because I passed through the Aosta Valley and there, with a precarious preparation, my leg responded well. So Seeing everything go up in smoke because of a stupid accident really hurt.That's why I feel very motivated…
