Among the champions, not riders mind you, who still do not have a contract for 2022, there is also the name of Domenico Pozzovivo. A bit like last year, the Lucanian finds himself living in a situation of great uncertainty with his Qhubeka-NextHash that it is not known if it will continue.
<strong>The Eurobursar</strong> Doug Ryder but around this time last year he had given the okay to continue. This time, however, we are on the threshold of December and the white smoke has not yet arrived. In theory, the lists had to be presented to theUCI by November 15th. Some sponsors providing technical and logistical support have confirmed their presence as bmc e Mercedes Benz, but clearly it's not enough.
Domenico, so? What can you tell us, how's your team doing?
I know as much as you do. The situation is completely open. The idea is to stay with the Qhubeka group.
What if they don't do it?
Well, that wouldn't be a good thing. I don't know, I don't have a plan B and there's a risk that I might quit.
The other day we were talking with Nieri from Qhubeka Continental, who continues: "Have you ever thought about a situation like this? Something different, working with young people?"
No – Pozzovivo replies decisively – to continue the game must be worth the candle And if I don't have the opportunity to play a high-level schedule, my motivation also suffers. And this applies to both a young and an older team.
What if you get a call from a professional, a Bardiani, a Drone Hopper, or even a foreign company, like Alpecin, who maybe doesn't have a climber like you on their staff?
Maybe an Alpecin! That's a WorldTour in disguise... The problem is that we've gone on a bit too long and it won't be easy to find a seat. Now the teams are ready, they are almost already in training camp and it is not easy to include another rider.
But you seem to us, at least on the surface, "serene", calm...
The feeling is that I'll finally find a solution. Maybe the answer will come today… so I can give myself a nice birthday present!
Ryder must have given you some reassurance…
Yes, I did. I talked to him, but the reality is that time passes. It would have been better to have a “deadline”, at least I would have had a certain date, a deadline. It would have taken away some of my anxiety. Maybe others wouldn't have thought this way, but at least this way I can focus and not get distracted by anything else.
But stopping like this, a rider of your caliber, wouldn't be a good thing...
I know. I've faced worse things in my career, but it certainly wouldn't be the ideal way to end. Also because every year before starting again you ask yourself questions about your abilities, your motivations and your... The desire to make sacrifices is there. It's intact, and this wouldn't be the season to stop. from that point of view.
What if you had to quit? You told us you'd like to be a trainer...
Exactly. I have another exam coming up soon (Domenico is graduating with a degree in Sports Science, ed.) and I have two more to go. That means I'll push ahead with my thesis and then I'll look around to see if anyone needs my input.
Pozzovivo is in Matera! Everyone mountain biking with the Lucanian champion. Last weekend of November at home, here he is with his brother Maurizio
Pozzovivo is in Matera! Everyone mountain biking with the Lucanian champion. Last weekend of November at home, here he is with his brother Maurizio
So you already train alone?
Yes, it's been like this for a few years. Then the team obviously sees my files, I'm ready to discuss and, if necessary, change something, but I create the architecture of the preparation.
Have you started training again?
Yes, for a while now. I've been at home for the past few days. During this period I always travel with two bikes in tow…
You went out on your mountain bike!
Yes! Nice outings. Last Sunday I was in Matera. We went out with a group of about thirty bikers. My brother Maurizio had organized the outing, and the route was managed by a gentleman in his 60s who's been racing amateurs for I don't know how long, maybe 35. He drove very well! We rode 25 kilometers of beautiful, flowing singletrack. Then, at the end of the ride, I went back, changed shoes and bike, and rode another hour and a quarter on the road. And I did it in spring gear. The weather isn't the same as it was here in Lugano when I got back.
Tell us if a 39-year-old "kid" with this much grit can stop? It seems pretty clear that Pozzovivo is banking on yet another resurgence for Qhubeka. What can I say: go "Pozzo." And best of luck.
