SCARPERIA – The background music of the motorcycles invites you to approach the window overlooking the track. The Ducatis have a raspy, unmistakable voice, but now the words we are interested in hearing are those of BennatiThe Federation gathered Italian cycling in the press room of the Mugello and the cycling community responded in large numbers and with enthusiasm. New sponsors are introduced and the existing ones are thanked, which President Dagnoni pays homage to with a quick thought. They make their debut in the blue jersey Puglia region by Michele Emiliano and on rest clothing Italian Petroleum by Ugo Braghetti.
Then there is Eugenio Giani, Governor of Tuscany, who declaims his region's love for cycling, remembers its most illustrious representatives from Nencini to Bartali, pays homage to Martini and Ballerini (the families of the unforgettable citizens were present) and then he remembers that from here next year the Tour de France will start.
Bennati and Ballerini
Dagnoni does the honors. He talks about the results of his management, about the medals that went from 97 to 130 and the difficulty that the numbers can grow further. He talks about the silent work of Roberto Amadio, connected from Glasgow, which puts technicians in a position to work at their best.
«We have a secret component – smiles the federal president – which is team spirit. We are a benchmark. Governor Giani's words remind me that I didn't know Bennati personally, other than knowing who he was as an athlete. But after meeting him, I saw in him the same modern technical traits that Ballerini had and this is also why we chose him».
Tuscan emotions
When it's time to get to the heart of the matter, the word goes to Bennati, who he gathered his Azzurri here in the area to build the group and experience the approach in a more appropriate way, crumbled by the many races and the neurotic calendar.
«I am experiencing so many emotions – says the Italian national team player – seeing the families of two figures like Alfredo and Franco who have been very important for my career, but above all for my lifeI'm glad they accepted the invitation. Continuing what they did is a great responsibility and, as a Tuscan, an emotion».
The nine blues
At the table there is Marco Velo, there is a connection from Glasgow Paul SangalliThe time to announce the teams has arrived. The names have been circulating, and Bennati confirms them.
They will run in the road race Trentin and Bettiol, Baroncini and Bagioli, Sbaragli and Pasqualon (absent, because he is busy in Poland), Oss, Velasco and Rota. Ganna and Cattaneo will take part in the time trial. The other names are being released at the same time via a statement from the Federation. The mission Glasgow can begin, the same way questions begin.
Nobody is unbeatable
«The goal is to win – says Bennati, applauded – because we are Italy. Last year's race satisfied me a lot and we want to bring the rainbow jersey back homeWe shouldn't be afraid. Last year, we knew Evenepoel could anticipate the game, and he did. We are not the favorites, but we also know that no one is unbeatable.I don't want to say that we could have won in Wollongong, maybe that wouldn't be credible, but until the final 500 meters we were there to play for a silver and a bronze».
A curve every 25 seconds
«Since 2018, I got old – says Trentin speaking of himself, Van der Poel and Van Aert, between laughs – while they have won some races. I had put them among the favourites even when I won the European Championships in Glasgow five years ago, even though no one knew them. They came from cross-country, but Van der Poel was the Dutch champion and Van Aert had already won some tough races in Belgium. Two of the favourites remain, but if it rains it will be an uncertain raceThere will be a bend every 25 seconds, it's not like last year where there were long stretches to pedal and where whoever had more legs could make the difference. This year we need to be more strong also on a technical level and this is an advantage for us».
A child for Bettiol
From the back of the room it rises Davide, one of the many children invited to attend. Do you want to ask a question to BettiolHe walks like a young bull, microphone in hand, and blurts out: "I'd like to ask Alberto if he likes the route and if he intends to break away."
Bettiol calls him back as the child walks away and then replies: «Even though I had no intention of going on the run, I will certainly try now.I haven't seen the course yet, except in Bennati's videos. There are lots of curves, lots of relaunches: you'll need to have rhythm in your legs. And I, who have done the Giro and the Tour, am missing everything except the rhythmWe'll have to follow our instincts and run as a team. We must always be in numerical superiority».
Without the “Longo”
There's a question for Paolo Sangalli. It just arrived. the news that Elisa Longo Borghini will not be there, stopped in the pits due to an infection that emerged during the Tour.
«Elisa's absence weighs heavily – says the coach from Glasgow – because she is an essential elementWe put his health first, as was right. The tactics, however, haven't changed one iota. we have athletes capable of doing well on that path, Compresa Balsamo. Elisa returned to the Tour and the track will give us the opportunity to evaluate it well».
Trentin captain
This is Bennati's conclusion, before delving deeper into the riders' comments in the coming days. They ask him who will be the captain and the Arezzo native goes straight.
«Captain means many things – he says – the captain knows how to be a citizen in the race, a role that I have had several times in my career and that Matteo Trentin knows how to play very well. Only that compared to me it can also give the guarantee of the result (Trentin looks at him, certain words leave their mark, (ed.) I have a racing idea that I'll share with the guys. Tomorrow they will do the last distance, a really hard training session. Then we'll leave. On Friday we'll go and test the route and in the meantime we will have plenty of time to talk about tactics and strategiesI don't want to reveal anything before I've done it with my boys. And maybe even then, sorry, I'll keep it to myself..."
