We point out to him that, having definitively beaten Merckx, his record of victories in the Trophy Laigueglia (2003, 2004 in the opening photo, 2013) is not yet in Pogacar's sights. This is enough for Pozzato to have a laugh and go back in his memory to when the Ligurian race made him understand that he had become a rider.It was 2003, the rider from Vicenza was racing with Fassa Bortolo, after three years with Mapei. They had just won the team time trial at the Giro del Mediterraneo and he was the first to take second place, so Giancarlo Ferretti put the team at his disposal for the Italian race.
"I remember the race setup," Pozzato recalls. "I was coming from that second place where I might have touched Bettini and lost the race. I probably would have won with a comeback, if he hadn't closed me down on the final corner. I remember Petito talking to Ferretti, telling him I was really strong. Then Giancarlo came to me with his direct manner and said: “Now let's see if you are really strong!”It was the first time I'd been given the responsibility of such an important team. Everyone was there: Kirchen, Frigo, Tosatto, Petito, Cioni, Ivanov, and Gustov. All there to help me win. They kept me all day as if I were really a captain of the established ones. The year before I had won 14 races, but that day I won over Sacchi, Baldato and Bettini and I understood that real cycling had begun."
The Laigueglia Trophy will be run in a week, next Wednesday, the outgoing winner is lenny martinezTo ease the wait, we went to the guy who won three. Sunday there will be the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, won by Pippo in 2007, then professional cycling will also start in Italy on the roads of LiguriaLet's go back to that 18th February 2003 and to the words of Pozzato, who is currently working to organize the Carnival Circuit of Sandrigo, where the bicycle will be the reason for one evening enhancement of the territory, escape, prank, entertainment.
At the time, Ferretti was the Italian equivalent of Lefevere, perhaps even more successful. What was the effect of hearing him speak that way?
These were things that excited me, and it was a necessary test anyway. Even Tosatto told me right away: "Today we'll see if you have balls!" It was the way of growing up in those years, with the sense of challenge to make you take on responsibilities and make you grow up faster.I liked him. Despite the problems we had, Ferretti was the first one who taught me to take responsibility and who gave me the team that was the most important in the world at the time. I was twenty years old, it wasn't something for everyone and I appreciated it very much.
You were really going strong, that year you would have even won the Tirreno-Adriatico…
And in my opinion I would have won the Sanremo too, because I was flying. Instead I fell on the descent, involved in Cassani's fall. Maybe it was the Sanremo where I went fastest of all (I won it instead Bettini on Celestino and Paolini, editor's note).
What did the Laigueglia Trophy represent in those years?
For me it has always been the race at the beginning of the season and maybe when I won it the first time it was the most importantThe Tour stage is more often remembered, but with Laigueglia I entered the world of cycling. Then, with the advent of the WorldTour, everything changed. Now, however, they're bringing it back.
You won your third title ten years after your first, from 2003 to 2013. Different path, different opponents…
For me it has always remained the important race of the early days, when cycling once existed, although the international situation has changed since the early 2000s. I could have won it in 2009 when Ginanni won, but I had some disagreements with Ballan and we finished second and he fifth. It has always been a special race because, living in Monaco, it also took place near my house.In 2013 I had already run the Tour de San Luis and then the Mallorca races, but it remained the opening race and I always felt it was mine, but this is a personal point of view.
Were you someone who needed to run to go fast?
Absolutely. I needed to run, because there was also a different way to train, now instead they arrive and go strong from the first race. I don't know how they do it, It's a completely different way of approaching races and perhaps that's what I suffered at the end of my careerI couldn't train like the younger ones trained.
What do you remember about the various paths that have changed?
The first year I won it, I did well on the Balestrino climb. First Bettini with Celestino and I was right behind and there I understood that I was going strongThe following year, however, I passed within a minute and a half of the head: I was 6 kilos heavier than the previous year, but I still managed to win, but in a completely different way. In 2013, however, I was going strong and Lampre was at my disposal. I remember that German he did an incredible job on the climbHe pulled it all the way with me in tow and no one managed to get away. In the final, the route had changed; we were arriving from Andora. There were attacks in every way to take me out, but I won easily in the sprint.
Some time ago there was talk of the possibility that, as the organizer, you could take the Laigueglia Trophy…
It's true, there have been various contacts. I have friends in those parts, but in order for me to organize a race, In addition to the assignment by the Municipality which is the owner of the tender, the economic conditions must also be in placeBut it's true, I admit it: I'd like to try organizing the Laigueglia Trophy one day. It would be like closing the circle.
