La Bardiani Csf Faizané is in Spain. Or rather, a part of it. The others are about to go to Turkey for another training camp. In the Iberian gathering, under the eyes of Mirko Rossato, there are the most "experienced" of the team, still young guys, two kids and an "old man", Giovanni Visconti.
It's 17pm on a cold winter afternoon when the phone rings and the sports director calls us back, punctual as he said, as soon as his boys have finished training. We're curious to see how Visconti's first few days in the Bardiani jersey are going and how the Sicilian relates to his young teammates. Just a few days ago on Instagram Giovanni had already talked about “my boys”.
Fresh air
«Visco – says Rossato in a ringing tone – is really motivated, eager. Despite his age, he has the enthusiasm of a 20-year-old. It's great to see him pedaling and encouraging his teammates. His arrival has brought something out of the ordinary to our training. He's the first to sprint up a peak, to battle, to sprint. Not that this didn't happen before, but perhaps the newcomers were more timid. But when he does it, it's a whole different story.
"And the same goes off the bike: in the way we eat, how we rest..." In short, Giovanni took the group by the hand.
Flaws? No, thanks.
Rossato then praises the group. He sees his players as very close-knit. Performances so far seem good, and even regarding the materials, despite some parts arriving late, there's satisfaction.
«The guys aren't complaining, everything is fine, even with regards to the materials. We have a good bike. The Cipollini Dolomia everyone likes it… let's say we've had more difficult years."
For now there are two very young players with Visconti: Zana and Zoccarato. "We put Visconti in Zana's room. Which makes sense. I see they've bonded, but in general everyone has. Visco already knew Garosio and Gaburro. The Tonelli he is a leader in training, a boy who works as a team.
«In the first part of January, when in Italy, especially in the North, it was cold, Giovanni organized a retreat in Sicily. He told the kids he had someone to help them and the right facility to host them. And so seven or eight of them went to him. And they trained in better temperatures. It was his initiative…
"And here in Spain, what do we do? For now, two days of loading, distance, and strength, and one day of unloading. You know, everyone's super punctual, too! I like that. Come on... so far, I can't find anything wrong with this group!"
Visconti leader
Bardiani will remain in Spain until February 3. However, she will not take part in the Valencia. However, he has already broken the ice with racing with the Classic Valencian Community 1969 last Sunday. The team performed well. They ran compactly and in front: just Filippo Zana he won the GPM, Davide Gaburro he took the intermediate sprint and Filippo Fiorelli finished in eighth place: small encouraging signs.
I have a few chats with Giovanni. I ask his opinion, or he comes to me directly. Ultimately, it's part of his role, and I see he enjoys it. And for that, I imagine he feels appreciated.
This is a nice picklock with Visconti. When the Palermo native feels confident, he manages to give even what he doesn't have and transforms himself into the "Marine" that the fans love so much: a rider who never gives up.
«The other day while running – concludes Rossato – even though Visco is the leader, he was the first to come to the team car to get the water bottles and then bring them to his teammates (Opening photo, ed.) A good sign for his teammates, don't you think? A demonstration of what kind of rider he is. I hope the boys reflect on this."
