With 19th place in the Tirreno-Adriatico, the former Italian champion Filippo Zana closed the first portion of the season. Those who look only at the numbers might say that no rings were heard, yet there were some signals., especially in optics Tour of Italy Which is his true seasonal goal. Zana has logged 14 days of competition, just one less than last season, when his best form was still a long way off.
The same can be said to be happening this year, but Filippo feels that something has changed: "For me it was a good start. Some races have changed, for example I skipped the first French classics and the Catalunya race, taking part in the Tirreno-Adriatico instead, and the 19th place finish says that I'm on the right track because the Italian stage race it was really well attended and with riders already very advanced in condition, much more than me. Overall I can say I'm better than last year and that makes me optimistic."
You usually set off quite calmly, almost with the handbrake on. Is this part of your personality, a sign of your growing accustomedness to the warmer months?
It is probably so, my condition grows proportionally to the increase in degrees we perceive. At the beginning of the year I never go very strong, we'll see how things go as the season continues, but I know that these races are fundamental for that very reason, in fact I don't look at the results much.
After last year's Giro, where you won a stage and also starred in the Alpine stages, many expected you to race in the Giro d'Italia, chasing the overall standings. Will that be the case?
No, I'm not leaving for the Giro d'Italia with this declared goal. I'll focus on a few stages, working for Eddie. Dunbar who can certainly do well and is well equipped to seek a prestigious placing. If the race goes a certain way, we'll see how to manage it, but I will mainly go hunting for bargains and to do that the shape will have to be right.
Your performance at Strade Bianche was impressive; that ninth-place finish was your biggest achievement so far. Did you expect that?
I really like the Strade Bianche, probably in that race I can express my roots that come from cyclocrossI really enjoy and get excited about running on that track, which is so different from the usual ones. In fact, I always manage to get good results, even if I'm not in top form.
Are you starting to understand what kind of rider you are and therefore in which races you can stand out most?
I think my ideal size is that of short stage races, those up to 5-6 days where I can also aim for the overall standings. Moreover, one aspect I see improving is my endurance. Even at the Giro d'Italia in the third week, I was doing well. I had recovered from the efforts and was even able to hold off the strongest riders. But there's a long way to go from there to aiming for the overall standings, because in that case you can't have a lapse, and that's not easy. However, by nature, I look at every race as an opportunity for myself.
This is your second year at Jayco AlUla, how are you finding it?
I felt at ease with them straight away, I have my space in this team, they believe in me and in my possibilities and above all They're giving me time to mature, raising the bar a little each year.And this very situation is giving me the peace of mind I need to focus on my goals.
At the end of March, however, 14 days of racing isn't a lot when compared to others who aspire to the Giro d'Italia...
I think it's the right choice to get to the goal as fresh as possible, but if you look closely, others who are aiming for the Giro, regardless of their goals, are doing the same. For example, Pogacar himself has significantly reduced his commitmentsIf you want to be competitive for all three weeks you have to plan them ahead of time and save your energy because I learned that the Giro consumes a lotMy season certainly won't stop at the Giro d'Italia...
Speaking of which, are you thinking of trying the Vuelta again? Last year, your Spanish experience didn't last long...
I definitely have a great desire to try again. In 2023 I started with the best intentions, but All the preparation was thrown away because of the fall and the consequent fracture of the clavicleFor me, the Vuelta is still a discovery, a very strong motivation that I will think about when the time comes.
But before that, there are the Olympics. It's true that there are only three spots available. Do you think you can still get back into the squad if you perform well at the Giro and the Italian Championships?
I think that the route, due to its conformation, is more suited to a different kind of rider, but for now I want to think about the Giro. If the opportunity arises to earn a place, I'll be ready, that's for sure. Logic dictates that I don't have high hopes, but deep down I'm thinking about it...
