«We took Andrea Pasqualon because He is an excellent rider who will be able to put his experience to use for the team. He has experience especially in Northern races. He is certainly and will be more than a domestique." Thus begins the judgment of Franco Pellizotti on the purchase of the Trentino rider.
With the sporting director of the Bahrain Victorious we are talking about thepurchase of Pasqualon, who will join his team starting next seasonA somewhat unexpected move. After so many years in the Belgian team and with the trust of its sporting directors, it wasn't a given that Pasqualon would leave. Intermarche Wanty Gobert.
Pellizotti is waiting for him
"Andrea," Pellizotti continues, "is a guy with a lot of experience, he's used to racing abroad, and it's important for us to consider that we're a very international team, with athletes from many different countries.
«From a technical standpoint, Pasqualon is more than a sprinter. He's a versatile rider. He can do well in many races, even in the slower stages, and especially in Belgium. It's not that we don't have good riders for those races, but we don't even have a leader who can tell the others: you're the domestique of... You're the man of... Our Customers Mohoric who is good and Pasqualon could be ideal to be close to him.
«And then we also have many young people and it can be an example for them. Talking about Belgium and young people, I also think of Milan for example".
The arrival of Pasqualon makes you think and with Sonny Colbrelli Having been sidelined for an entire season now and with no certainty about his return, which we hope will happen and happen soon, it is legitimate to wonder if Andrea could be his natural replacement.
«We didn't hire Andrea to replace Sonny. They have similar characteristics, but Sonny is Sonny! In fact, I'm convinced he would have been one of us with him too and would have been an ideal companion. And I'll also tell you that we had been thinking about it for a while and it wasn't a decision we just made…».
Pasqualon and the North
From Pellizotti to Pasqualon himself. Andrea is racing in Belgium. Just yesterday he finished seventh in the Egmont Cycling Race.
"If it hadn't been for a misunderstanding with the team," Andrea says, "it could have gone better in the final stages. I thought I had a teammate, but there wasn't. At 500 meters, a gap opened up and nothing... the four of them gained a handful of meters and that was it.
«But I I'm happy because it was the first race after the altitude. And we know that it always takes a while to find your racing rhythm again."
Also for these qualities: speed, consistency of performance, Pasqualon will wear the colours of Bahrain Victorious from 2023.
«Yes, now it's official – says Andrea – I'm happy because Bahrain is one of the best teams ever. Not that Intermarché isn't, especially after a season like the one we had. But I know the new team will give me 110% to become a real rider, of the highest level. Something was missing, that little something extra that I'm convinced Bahrain can give me.
«In Bahrain I will be able to make my experience available to the North. I will be able to stay close to riders like Mohoric and Bauhaus who needed a man with my characteristics. But at the same time I will have my space."
Friend Mohoric
The With Pasqualon, we touch on the "Colbrelli" theme. And just this comparison makes Andrea seem flattered.
«Eh – he smiles – you never know. I've grown up in the last few years and maybe doing like Colbrelli could be my goal. I like to go fast in the North and Sonny went fast in the North. My dream race is the Roubaix and Colbrelli won the Roubaix… Maybe I can do it too!
Pasqualon knows that he will have to be above all supportive. He agrees with Pellizotti when he talks about experience and youth. He also says about Milan that they could put together a great team for the sprints and that he can't wait to meet them in the first training camps.
And on Mohoric: «I believe – explains Pasqualon – that Matej, besides being very strong, is the most intelligent rider in the group. And I'm not the only one saying that. He reads the race, he's always informed, he knows the gear... he's a perfect fit for a cyclist! He and I are great friends. We talk often in the group, and in fact, if I make it to Bahrain, it's partly thanks to him.
«He's the one who wants me by his side. He needed a rider who knows how to file, who knows how to create space., who knows how to be ahead at the right time in certain races and after 12 years of professionalism are qualities that I have acquired and which will allow me, I hope, to be an excellent pawn".
Blue dreams
Before we say goodbye with Pasqualon we also cast an eye on his near future: the World Cup in Wollongong.
The man from Bassano del Grappa has never hidden his desire to be there, and he's making it clear this time. He's prepared well. He lives in a house in Andorra at 2.000 meters. He seems to be in good shape. Yesterday's performance in such a fast and tense race is not to be underestimated.
«About the World Cup – says Andrea – I ticked it a long time ago. I'm preparing for that event. I want to be there because it's a race suited to my characteristics and also to lend a hand to people like Bettiol o Trentino.
"I'll race today in Overijse, then other races like the Bretagne Classic, Plouay, the trip with the two Canadian races, and then we'll see how things unfold. I really care about it."
