On a day in May, to be precise on the day of the Giro's departure from Naples, reasoning with Diego Ulissi, a concept emerged that we would reflect on at length in the following days.
«There aren't any then many Italian riders with my palmares – said the Tuscan – and yet it seems that no one notices and we always talk about others».
Winning humility
It wasn't a request for popularity: Anyone who knows Diego knows how happy he is away from the spotlight.. But it certainly testified to the trend of this cycling that is amazed by the small gestures of the youngest and perhaps takes for granted the solidity of the more mature athletes. This often creates problems, to the extent that premature exaltation causes the verticality of relationships to fail and seniority, which once “made a mark” is now tolerated with difficulty by some.
“Careers have shortened,” he comments, “there’s no point beating around the bush, and I don’t even want to keep going for much longer. I am the first to say that in a very near future, sooner than you think, I could say enoughI passed by young, I've lived many years, I've taken my satisfactions and I would find it pathetic to continue indefinitelyThe day will come when I'll want to sit back and enjoy the sacrifices I've made over the years. And in the meantime I move in this group where I see a lot of anarchy and lack of humility, which in theory should be the basis of everything. In short, if this is the future, it worries me a little, let's put it that way."
The tricolour challenge
A few days ago, the Livorno native who lives in Lugano with his wife and two little girls, came close to success at Tour of Slovenia, which he has already won twice in the past. He placed third 23 seconds from Zana: a seemingly small gap, but one that is difficult to bridge. So at this point, after having run the classics in support of Pogacar and the Tour to Almeida, All that's left is the Italian championship and then we'll be able to catch our breath a bit.
"The truth," he smiles, "is that in Slovenia Zana was superior to everyone. I was there on par with the others, though." On the third day I took a bad hit and hurt my ribs.I'm still paying the bill for it, and I've definitely paid it in the days since. The Italian championship comes in a period of good form, my legs are good but I'm also tiredHonestly, I want to catch my breath. So I'll definitely go to Trentino to do well, even if I leave the day before. I don't think it's necessary to check out the route too far in advance. I know it's challenging and then I'll have time to learn it by riding it while running.».
The Giro with Almeida
The Giro d'Italia went well, even if compared to Diego Ulissi who was able to win eight stages in the past years, the one seen this year was more of a team player, devoted to Almeida's causeOnly one "real" escape on the day of Bondone and then always in ranks, as requested.
«Staying close to Joao all the time – he explains – was very costly, there was never a stage where I could catch my breath, maybe join a small group and spare myself. None of this. But in the end it worked out just fine, because I felt good sensations the whole timeI was a great help, and I'm happy about that, because we achieved a great result. Against Slovenia, I showed that I still have good legs. We'll also need luck on Saturday, because only four of us are leaving. (Trentin, Formolo and Covi will be with him, ed.) and it won't be an easy match to manage."
Three homegrown talents
In this resting phase, which as we have seen authorizes the first assessments, the curiosity is to understand how we move and what he noticed in the three young home talents UAE Team Emirates, who are monopolizing cycling: from Pogacar to Ayuso, passing through Almeida.
«I'm very happy with the career I've had – confirms Ulissi – My 45 victories are not few, I have the 8 stages of the Giro, the Emilia, the Milan-Turin and also MontrealI'll keep having fun and going as hard as I want. The team is very happy with me, also because I've been here forever, always (Diego turned professional in 2010 in the then Lampre, which over the years has become UAE Emirates, ed.). As for our young people, Pogacar is on a planet of its ownIt's unreachable, it's a phenomenon.What he does, no one else can do at the moment. He can win the Grand Tours, as well as the Tour of Flanders, the Sanremo, and the Tour of Lombardy. Ayuso is growing great. Already last year he achieved one great podium at a time and even though this year he started late due to physical problems, it took him very little time to win important races. And then there's Almeida, who I really like for the way he interprets the raceI think he has a lot of room for growth and can really win a major Giro. What can I say? Luckily, we all have it…».
A summer by the sea
He says he has spoke with Bennati about a possible commitment to the World Cup, which, if done in August, disrupt her routine a bit. She says she won't be competing in the Poland Cup this year, but after August her program will be mostly filled with classics. And then, this time with shining eyes, she adds that After the Italian championship he will go to his home seaside, down in Donoratico.
«The mountain is beautiful – he laughs like a child – but I am a man of the sea and I prefer to rest in the places where I was born, what can I do?
If he laughs, holidays are in the crosshairsGenuine, frank, reserved and very strong as always. Bye Diego, see you on Saturday on tricolor path of Comano Terme.
