The only Italian stronghold at the finish line in Nice. Fabio Felline was the only rider from our country to finish the terrible French stage race at the beginning of the season, made even more difficult by the weather and the epidemic that broke out in a group. Only 59 daredevils have completed it. And so yesterday we asked the thirty-one year old from Turin aboutAstana Qazaqstan Team to tell us the pitfalls of the Paris-Nice and his expectations for the next releases before getting back in the saddle this morning in the race that comes right to his home, namely the Milan-Turin, which this year returns to its traditional position in spring after having preceded the Lombardy in October in recent seasons.
Fabio, how are you?
So far so good and I took a leisurely stroll near the team hotel in Milan. I'm in my room alone, given what happened at Paris-Nice, where I was the only one on the team to complete it.
What happened?
This time, even after seeing the results of the swabs, we can say that Covid has nothing to do with itIt was something lightning-fast, some bronchitis or tracheitis that has spread in groupsI'm not a doctor, but after two years of wearing masks, perhaps our bodies are less accustomed to the viruses that are already circulating normally, It may be that our immune defenses are lower as ridersA series of unfortunate coincidences. Even the weather played its part, because even when the sun was shining, the wind was very cold. And perhaps for fear of fans, people generally dressed lightly and were ready to go at full speed right from the start.
So, is Warren Barguil right when he says that Tirreno-Adriatico is more difficult in terms of altitude, but Paris-Nice is more stressful?
Well, actually from Thursday to Sunday we did four stages with, in series, 3.300 then 3.000, then 3.300 again and finally 2.300 meters of altitude difference. The route was pretty tough, and then there was undoubtedly stress.It was seen with the fact that all the teams were decimated during the race, not just Astana. None of the top players in the rankings have had any health problems that I know of, but I think that many, perhaps lacking ambition, have decided to avoid an extra day of hard work on Sunday.
And what can you tell us about your start to the season?
It wasn't easy because I tested positive for Covid in February and remained positive for about fifteen days. and that made me miss the whole month. In March, I only ran two days in France and then I did Laigueglia before the Paris-Nice.
A summary of your race?
I suffered like a dog for the first three days. I wasn't in the running and I just couldn't be., because my legs felt empty. Then the last three days I was reborn: from the longest stage to the last two, where I'd say I managed to get some satisfaction. I think it was normal that I wasn't at my best after Covid and We are not all gods monsters like PogacarI've heard of other colleagues who had the same problems recovering after the break. I was surprised by the good feeling I had at Laigueglia, but it was a dry day there, whereas in a stage race the fatigue takes its toll.
How do you present yourself at the Milan-Turin?
I live it like a passage during the week of the Milan-SanremoI'm happy to do it, because it's my home race and I take it with the same spirit as when Superga was around, although this time it's for sprinters. I know the last 50 kilometers by heart.
Aren't you even thinking about it?
There is Gazzoli A candidate for the sprint. He's young and strong, as he's already demonstrated in the Algarve, therefore, if it comes to a sprint, he will do it. If, however, something happens first, I'm here.
And for the Classicissima?
For Sanremo the goal is first and foremost to feel good, given the times, and then honor it as best as possible. It's the dream race, I won't deny it, but one that you have to finish in excellent shape. I'll do my best and dreaming never hurts..
Who do you see as the favorite for Saturday?
The strongest of all is without a doubt Wout Van Aert, because he can wait for the sprint or try to drop everyone on the climb. Then Pogacar has shown that he can upset any prediction, it's a fact. Ganna it's a phenomenon, but both uphill and in sprints he has to defend himself, so he will have to invent something.
What are your plans then?
Has been everything turned upside down by Covid in FebruaryIn theory I had to rest after Sanremo, but at this point I should go to Belgium and then maybe on retreat on Teide. Everything is still to be defined though, because I can't be away for 8 weeks out of 9 before the Giro d'Italia, so we'll decide what to do as we go.
