2022 was an intense year full of returns. What left us most surprised, for its continuity and promptness, is that of Andrea Piccolo. First to the Drone hopper and then immediately promoted to the WorldTour with the EF Education Easy Post. During the winter break, however, there was room for another nice announcement: the return of Innocenti with the Technipes-#InEmiliaRomagna.
The two riders have had a very respectable past in the lower categories. Both won the Tour of LunigianaPiccolo in 2019 and Innocenti in 2017. A past united by great talent and a more difficult present. Another thing the two have in common is having worked with Pino Toni, who, speaking about their engine, told us that he had always found very interesting values.
The preparer's eye
What did Pino Toni see in the two? We asked the Tuscan coach himself, who, delving into his memory and connecting with the present, has a clear idea.
«Right now – he says – I have more information about Piccolo, also because I train him. I was asked to follow him after the Gazprom case, we talked a bit and we've been working together ever since. I saw Innocenti when he was an amateur.I ran some tests on him, he was really strong, I can't explain what happened next. I don't think he was doping, he didn't need it at all..."
Let's talk about Andrea Piccolo first, he was really strong as a junior…
He has always done well, both as a junior and as an amateur – Pino Toni tells us – his challenge continues with Tiberi it was fascinating. They were the two points of reference of the Italian movementAs a kid, I didn't see much of Andrea (Piccolo, ed.) because I was training Tiberi. But I often watched the races, and what always surprised me was his attitude. the hunger and the wickedness he had were incredible.
Then there was the stop, or rather two: the one with Astana and the Gazprom case.
Il after Astana It was complicated for him, but he handled it like a true sportsman, like someone who knows what he wants. And even the Gazprom affair didn't help him. He returned to racing in June, after months of break, at the Italian championship, and is came in fourthThat result was very surprising, but it is a sign that the engine is still there and in addition to the physical qualities great concentration and work skills are added.
What kind of rider is he?
He is the type of young and modern rider, he knows how to train and is capable of working hard in trainingRunners nowadays have to know how to train because you can't go to the races and not have legs, you'll give up immediately. You have to be able to suffer in training and then have your say in the races.
What impression did it make on you?
A colleague of mine at Katusha, Popov, asked me if I'd be willing to work with him. First I looked at the files and we did some tests, and it was incredible. In December 2021 he weighed 74 kilos, 8 more than now, and the tests were already surprising, that means it really has a great engine.
He started running again in June and since then it has been a continuous crescendo…
Piccolo is a rider who can do well in the classics and the Grand Tours: he is strong in time trials, and pays a lot of attention to that discipline. From August to October it always came in frontHe'd get off the plane and go running, and you'd always find him among the first. This is a sign of a great recovery and an extraordinary desire. He hasn't won yet, to do this you have to start working on the details, focusing on an objectiveOn December 9th I'm going to Girona to speak with EF's performance manager to understand the work program and calendar.
The Return of Innocents
Andrea Innocenti has such a troubled history behind him that it deserves a serialized novel. The Tuscan rider returns to racing after 4 years, a very long, almost interminable period.But let's focus only on the technical aspect, what can it do, at what point do we find it?
"He's been out for four years," Pino says, "that's a long time. Honestly, he's the first rider I know of who's returned to racing after such a long break.
He has already started racing again, at the Giro del Friuli, and it didn't go badly.
No, on the contrary. These are positive signs, it means that he has the numbers, then from what I know he trained a lotWe'll have to see how far he can go. The stop was definitely a handicap, there's no denying that.
You tested it several times, what did you see in it?
He was truly incredible, with a great drive and the mentality of a true racer. Even as a kid, he was very curious, asking questions, wanting to understand. There are many riders who have the numbers, but then don't have the mindset to push themselves further.Both Piccolo and Innocenti have always given me the feeling that they have the right mindset to become great riders. They make you understand that for them it's not a game.
Innocenti was also one of the points of reference of the Italian movement…
Absolutely, Cassani has said it many times too. And the fact that he's returning to race with him at Technipes-#InEmiliaRomagna means that they still believe in him.He returned to a continental team, but the staff in that team is of a different level: Coppolillo, Grains, Church, Malaguti as a trainer… In short, he is well supported.
Four years is a long time…
It's difficult to come back, it's been 4 years of hard work and missed disappointments, it's a hole in his career. Innocenti is a true athlete, he always has been.There's nothing to say about this. It's not professional, but even in continental races, you can go fast.
Can they still be the future of Italian cycling?
After what they've been through, they need to figure out what their role in this world might be. They are certainly two who start with the mentality of wanting to be winners, then we'll see.They're young, Piccolo has a greater advantage because he's been playing again for a few months, and this could already be a season of confirmation. Innocenti must not be rushed, if the results come, good, but for now he has to go looking for the pedal stroke.
