Mameli's anthem rings out loud and clear to the Europeans in Limburg even on the second day of competition. The Team Mixed Relay test is for Italy and Marco Velo climbs once again to the top step of the podium with his boys for another golden selfie. Perhaps the most beautiful and the one that best represents the Azzurri spirit.
The national team always makes its bikes travel fast when passing on the asphalt of the Zolder racetrack and its surroundings. The Italian sextet leaves no chance to their opponentsDominates from the start. At the handover, the men leave a 50-second lead to the women, who manage it sumptuously, giving it their all. At the finish line, the Italians celebrate. Italy is once again the European champion, following the 2021 title, ahead of Germany (17 seconds behind) and host Belgium (1 minute and 33 seconds behind). Affini, Cattaneo, Maestri, Cecchini, Guazzini and Masetti are the architects of an unforgettable day that goes beyond the result obtained.
Precious loot
The two days of time trials – individual and mixed team – leaves Italy with a dowry two golds, a bronze and a high morale that can act as a driving force for the road racesMarco Velo, time trial rider, just after the Team Mixed Relay finished, looked at his guys with satisfaction and immediately took a snapshot of the moment.
"I didn't expect," he said over the phone, "to be able to finish the European time trial with these medals. Today (yesterday for those reading, ed.) I had good feelings about the Mixed Relay, but we knew it wasn't that easy. We beat Germany, who had a very well-equipped team, and I said we had to be careful with them. I really like the team event because it involves great teamwork. This gold medal has great human value for me, as well as technical.We won the European Championship again after three years without a reference like Ganna and this means that we are on the right path to building the group».
«Already on Wednesday – continues Velo – my heart was opened to see on the podium Edward and Mattia (Affini and Cattaneo, ed.) because It's nice to work with guys of this levelEveryone was good today. A special mention goes to Maestri and Masetti, who gave their all when they were called up for the first time to the elite national team.Mirco rode strongly and earned the jersey for the road race with Bennati. Gaia did excellent. She also wanted to run the individual time trial after Pirrone's withdrawal, but I advised her to save her time for the Mixed Relay. She stayed focused and was a key player. Then the usual guarantees also from Vittoria and Elena (Guazzini and Cecchini, ed.)».
Aside from the medals, two fifth-place finishes were recorded with Guazzini and the juniors in the Mixed Relay. We then have to scroll through the finish lists to find the Italians, paying the price for the lack of time among the youth. The races in the other categories went as Velo had anticipated on the eve of his departure for Belgium, but he found a way to get emotional with a phone call.
«Before today's departures Alice Toniolli called me to wish me and the boys good luck for the competitionsI was so happy to hear from you and it was a really nice surprise. The day had already started off well."
comfort zone
The road races begin today, but yesterday's triumph is still fresh. Hugs are exchanged between athletes and staff on and behind the podium. How many times have we said that breathing in the atmosphere of the national team is good for everyone? Velo knows the answer..
«I told all the boys – the Brescian coach told us – that they deserved the Mixed Relay gold. We left nothing to chanceAffini and Cattaneo raced to be here coming from the Vuelta. Guazzini hadn't raced since the Olympics and on the road since Giro Women's cycling. Everyone made great sacrifices for the blue jersey.
«I have always thought – continues Velo – that the national team is the comfort zone of all the collaborators, as well as of the boys themselvesThink about them. Almost all of them race for foreign teams, often living abroad during the year. They're far from their loved ones, and when they come to the national team, they feel good; they feel at home. It's a very important human component, in my opinion. And thinking about it, This situation increases the regret of not having a WorldTour team in Italy».
Thanks
There is no victory without dedications and recognitions and Marco Velo is keen to make certain points«In these two days I experienced incredible sensations, but they would not have been the same without the assistance of the other citizens, especially in the junior categories. I thank them allBennati, Amadori, Sangalli, Salvoldi and I'll also include both Scirea and Villa. They are all fundamental and if results like those of these two days arrive, it is also thanks to themNow I'm staying here in Belgium for the road trials and I'll make myself available to them."
