It's a very important week for Italian cycling and beyond. In fact, it closes the European season and in this context, Veneto becomes the capital of cycling. As riders also say: “There are Pippo's races”… Pozzato for those who know him less.
The former pro, who has been with the team for a few years now PP Sport Events, brought a breath of fresh air to the way of conceiving cycling events. Events, indeed, not just races. Of course, the technical and competitive aspects remain central, as they should be, but that doesn't mean the concept can't be expanded to include entertainment, entertainment, and the involvement of people not strictly connected to cycling. But let's take a closer look at these events.
Tour of the Veneto
The Veneto cycling week begins on Wednesday with one of the oldest classics in Italy, il Tour of the Veneto, starting from Vicenza and finishing in Verona. And here's the biggest news: the Giro del Veneto Women's cycling. And to think that this one had been left at a standstill for years…
«At the women's race – explains Pozzato – We've been thinking about it for a while now. Now it's possible. We discussed it with the League, and the response was immediately positive. It's just a shame that the international calendar, structured as it is, with the WorldTour races still in China, penalizes us. And not just for this race, but for the whole thing. It is no coincidence that we are fighting to move events to the first part of September. Imagine how wonderful it would be to have Pogacar or Evenepoel, Pedersen or Van der Poel come to race to prepare for the World Championship…
«That said – he continues – the path between men and women is the same, with the grand finale on the Torricelle circuit, the one from the 2004 world championship. The difference is that the women will cover it twice, while the men will cover it five times." In total, it will be 169,5 kilometers for the men and 116 for the women, both starting from Vicenza: at 9:30 for the women, at 13:00 for the men.
Serenissima Gravel
One day off and here it isa Serenissima Gravel, scheduled in Cittadella, Padua, Friday, October 17. There's no shortage of new features here either, the first of which is that the race is now open to amateurs, who will start shortly after the professionals.
«We'll be racing the Serenissima – explains Pozzato – on the course that hosted the 2022 World Cup. This year, it's also open to amateurs. The great thing is that they run very close to the pros, they identify with them, they experience the same atmosphere. A very nice formula, but the technical problems remain: stops, assistance, starting methods. For years we have been supporting the need for specific legislation for gravel. It's still unclear whether road or off-road rules will apply. Here, you'll be riding on dirt roads, state trails, private land, and provincial roads... and it's a real race, not an event where I give you a GPS track and wait for you at the finish line. It'll be a spectacle, anyway. In these editions the Serenissima has given us spectacular images and exciting races».
The route includes a large 37,5 kilometre loop to be repeated four times in the north-west quadrant of Cittadella. In total, the route covers 151 kilometers with just 200 meters of altitude difference. But don't even think about a sprint finish...
Veneto-Go
On Saturday 18th the amateur world will also be back in the spotlight with the Veneto-Go, the link between the world of enthusiasts, professionals and fans.
«This is an event we care a lot about – says Pozzato – we travel along the streets of the Veneto Classic, the same ones that professionals will do the next day. The aim is to ensure that people stay in the area, enjoy the weekend of celebration and cycling, but not only that.».
There is indeed much to see in the area, besides running. The Palladian Villas, Bassano del Grappa, the venue for the event, and the Prosecco hills just behind provide a perfect backdrop.
The Veneto-Go starts in Cartigliano and follows the final 100 kilometers of the Veneto Classic: it includes the Rosina, cobbled climbs, and even dirt roads. Just like the Northern Classics, like the Strade Bianche. A great event for enthusiasts, a precursor to the pros.
PP Sport Events estimates that around 15.000 people attend these events on weekdays. Who knows how many there will be this weekend… And how many more there could be if the international calendar saw the events brought forward to September, attracting even more top athletes…
Veneto Classic
And finally, on Sunday 19th October, it closes with la Veneto Classic, Pozzato's creature, his crown jewel. It is the race that encompasses all of his innovative ideas, starting from the outlined design, but also from everything that revolves around it.
«The Veneto Classic is my dream – he says proudly – it's a race with great potential. It has the characteristics of the Northern Classics: cobblestones, walls, dirt roads. It's tough, but open to multiple scenarios."
Pozzato insists a lot on the concept of the circuit and even in this case it does not disappoint: the Veneto Classic is structured on three large rings, so that the public can have fun and experience the race.
"My idea," he continues, "is to bring even those who aren't cycling experts closer, to have fun and then, why not, to get them passionate and get on a bike. For this reason, on the Tisa, the cobbled climb, we strengthened the cameras, set up a big screen and brought a DJ».
The route starts in Soave, where the municipal administration has enthusiastically welcomed the project. An initial climb has been removed, but the Breganze climb has been added, although it won't reach the summit: the descent will pass through Colceresa and the San Giorgio climb. Pozzato offers incredible views and unique glimpses of the hills of the Veneto vineyards.
After an initial passage on the Tisa, you enter the Rosina circuit, which will be tackled twice instead of three times. "Otherwise, it would have been too long and too difficult," Pozzato points out. So here's the Tisa loop, to be completed five times.It'll be a real spectacle. Spectators will be able to watch the riders every 20 minutes, never getting bored. Once out of this circuit, there will be the classic finale with the Diesel Farm, the dirt climb and the arrival in Bassano, between the walls and the Ponte degli Alpini».
