«I set out to make this escape – says Tarozzi after the first stage of the Return to San Juan – but not all escapes succeed. We immediately broke down, and when there's no agreement, it's difficult to reach the finish line. In the end, we even pulled back a bit. I suffered from the heat; it's winter here, but it's summer here, and we're still not used to it. But in Imola it was warmer…».
Manuele Tarozzi, 24-year-old Romagnolo, second as a professional, had time to catch his breath and recover a bit. In Imola he remained in the lead for the whole day of his birthday: Colbrelli won the Italian championship, he was in a much worse condition. But just after the finish line, an amateur among the greats, he admitted that that race would change his life. Yesterday he was also in the breakaway all day and gave up when only Velardez remained in the lead with him, rider from the Municipalidad de Pocito, while at the head of the group the sprinters' men began to work. Coincidence or not, the morning before we left he told us a story…
The first sprint
Sam Bennett won the first stage, with a powerful sprint in the heat and din of the capital. Behind his back, Morkov that he lost Jacobsen due to a group skid, and Nizzolo. A day destined for a sprint, even if the most played names on the eve were indeed others.
«We had studied the ending twice – says Bennett – and This morning we did the last test, but it's always difficult to make plans. I was very nervous, we all were. In the first race you try to find your rhythm, it's not easy. The first sprint is the most dangerous of the season, whether you win it or not.It's great to have started with a win, but it wasn't easy. The hardest part was keeping up with my teammates, who were fantastic. The feeling of being the first to cross the line was beautiful."
Buttrio, August 7, 2016
But on this fast and hot day, the story we like to remember is precisely the one told by Tarozzi, which took place six years ago on the roads of Friuli, when he was a junior and professionalism was still a mirage. It was August 7, 2016, the junior group was en route to the Giro della Lunigiana.
«There's this race near Udine, from Buttrio to Ravascletto. The first part is flat and then there are two climbs at the endThe uphill finish is 5-6 kilometers. I was unlucky enough to crash after 50 kilometers. It's a shame, because I'm fit, but I feel a bit of fear of being in a group.I hurt myself, it stays in your thoughts for a while…».
He was talking and around there was the coming and going of riders called to the signature sheet in the shadow of the city stadiumThe deserted city in the early Sunday afternoon was coming to life for the departure.
«So to avoid problems, I decide to go on the run with three othersWe arrive at the foot of the last climb in good accord, and as soon as we reach it, I immediately pick up the pace. I'm the only one, though; the group remains 30 seconds behind. I feel the breath on my neck, the motorbikes overtaking me, but I decide to hold on."
A Slovenian on the podium
The story went on, there was half an hour left before departureRossato gave his orders in a Venetian and ringing tone, joking with Zanoncello.
«There are 2 kilometers left and I'm going full speed ahead, when De Candido, who at the time was the technical commissioner of the juniors, comes to meHe arrives and tells me to go calmly, that it's done now and that the last part is downhill."
Tarozzi wins the 2016 Buttrio-Ravascletto by a wide margin. Behind him, 26 seconds behind, comes a Slovenian who is the same age as him: a certain Tadej Pogacar.
«It's something from many years ago, but it's true that after that day he went on to win Lunigiana. I also participated, but I had underestimated the fall that day towards RavasclettoI burned my leg, but you didn't feel the bruises at the time. I got an infection, I went to Lunigiana anyway, but I wasn't doing the same as before..."
«When Pogacar won the Tour – Tarozzi continues – it wasn't that I was upset. I saw it and thought: this guy has already won the Tour and I'm still in the amateurs. Then I realized that everyone has their own stage of growth and now I hope to be able to replicate it, sooner or later.
«Last year I started off well, but I broke my legThis year, I think I'll be able to do well. I don't know how much margin I have, though. I think I can improve a lotMaybe not to win the Tour – he smiled – but to go on the breakaway today…».
No sooner said than done!
