Alessandro Spezialetti is a new sporting director of the Bingoal Wb (photonews image at the top). The Abruzzese was in the group for years John Savio e after the closure of his old team He was free to look elsewhere. But looking elsewhere isn't that easy, especially if the green light comes late.
Rumors had been circulating for a few weeks that the “Spezia” might be sailing to Belgium. The signing of the contract, which came just a few days ago, sealed everything and now he can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Alessandro can't wait to get back to work and get behind the wheel of his new flagship.
Longing for abroad
«Like almost everyone who was at Drone Hopper-Androni – says Spezialetti – I moved after Gianni Savio and Marco Bellini They held the meeting to inform the staff and riders that there were difficulties in continuing as a professional team. However, it was August... so quite late in the game."
The greatest curiosity concerns the finish line. A sports director and a rider so deeply rooted in Italian teams has clearly turned the page.
«In reality – says Spezialetti – In my heart, I had been wanting to have an experience abroad for some time, also because I hadn't even managed to do it as a rider. And so when I started moving I immediately did it in that direction.
I remember that I loved all the races in the North, from the Amstel to the Freccia, and going back up there was always a pleasure. Even if I have a small flaw, I do: Liège in 2002, the one Bettini won over Garzelli. I was in the breakaway and had a hunger pang towards the end. That one has always stuck with me!
Route to Belgium
The former Saeco, Liquigas, and Lampre rider then tells how he arrived at this Belgian team.
"I heard Christopher Brandt (the team manager of Bingoal WB, ed.) with whom I raced for a few years, albeit on different teams. But we had a good relationship. So, after talking to each other, the offer came to join them. Christophe came here to Italy in late autumn: he showed me a bit about how they worked and explained a few things to me."
Bingoal Wb is a professional. A team in the heart of Belgium, smaller than a giant of the caliber of Soudal-Quick Step which has a more international appeal. Yet it is in these teams that the most genuine trait of a country's cycling and sporting culture is rooted. A bit like the Drone Hopper was or is for Bardiani in Italy.
A culture that is distant from us and from Spezialetti. But apparently, Alessandro, besides being aware of it, made it an incentive.
As I've said, I've wanted to experience life abroad for a while now. I hadn't managed it as a rider, so I tried as a director.
"Is the mentality different? True, but once you're part of the team, you inevitably have to adapt, discover, and learn. And I don't think it'll be that hard to settle in, since I've been told we'll be racing a lot in Italy. Not to mention that there are some Italian riders. And even the bikes are Italian!
Ready for the challenge
Spezialetti admits he will miss not being at the Tour of Italy, but he is also motivated to discover “other calendars”.
«In the end – says Spezialetti – I'm going to Belgium, one of the homelands of cycling. Cycling is in their blood. Bingoal WB also has a women's team and a continental team (among other things they won a stage at the last U23 Giro, editor's note).
"I like the idea of working with young people, should the sports directors swap places. I worked a lot on that at Drone Hopper. It gives me a great boost because you can pass on your past and your knowledge to the kids. And maybe you can see them win after a few years, thanks to your advice. They come to mind Masnada, Dancers…seeing them fight in that squadron is no small thing."
