Among the pleasant novelties of 2023 is the transition of Natnael Tesfatsion to the Trek-Segafredo. The Eritrean, after a period of apprenticeship between continental and professional, made the leap into the world of the big onesHe is twenty-three years old and made his debut with the American WorldTour in Australia at Santos Tour Down Under with a good sixth place in the third stage. The growth of "Natalino", so nicknamed during his Italian period, continues and the curiosity to know what they saw in him at Trek becomes strong.
Followed for a long time
We pick up the phone and the other end answers Josu Larrazabal, head of the performance team at Trek. And despite his Hispanic name, he answers in perfect Italian.
«Natnael – he begins to tell from a bar just outside Madrid – He has great characteristics, we have been following him since he was in Team QhubekaLuca (Guercilena, ed.) had had him in his sights for some time. In his first year at Androni, there was strong interest, but it was probably still early, Tesfatsion he needed another year in a professional to grow and mature. Androni is a truly excellent team to do this, creating the ideal conditions for promising riders to grow.. Tesfatsion also had the opportunity to race with them in WorldTour races such as the Tour of Italy, showing great things. The escapes he entered into, just to give an example, were of quality., the kind you need a leg to catch."
The Australian debut
Tesfatsion's first race in a Trek jersey was, as mentioned previously, the Tour Down Under. A WorldTour race with a field of quality riders, a "baptism of fire," you might say.
«He finished sixth in a stage – continues Larrazabal – it won't need much adjustment, especially considering the path he'd taken in previous years. The result almost surprised us, because his winter wasn't geared up to be competitive right from the first race. The goal is to gradually grow to be ready for the next races.».
Constant growth
In these lines, Josu tells us an important phrase: "Almost surprised." Why the "almost." What did the trainer see?
«He is a climber with a great engine and high endurance. It also has a good quick start, which is useful in modern cycling.The general level has also risen on the climbs and making a difference in pace is difficult. Also for these characteristics, it was right leave it to the Drone Hopper one more year. Quick acceleration is a quality that must always be trained., otherwise you lose, and you can only do it best in competition."
First impressions
During the winter training camp, Trek had the opportunity to test its riders, an important task, especially for new riders, so they could be properly positioned.
"There's nothing more important than a test," Josu continues, "at the start of the season and the results that come from it. The indoor tests done at Tesfatsion confirmed great potential. Then when we put him on the road we could also see his competitive spirit, he has a great desire to do wellIn training sessions with "peak" situations or mini-races, he did his best to win them and sometimes he even succeeded. The road immediately dispels doubts, there's no question. Natnael has a strong character and he immediately brought it into the team, he integrated immediately».
With the brake on
Expectations are high for the Eritrean rider, but his growth and learning aren't over yet. This first season at Trek-Segafredo will provide him with a wealth of learning opportunities.
«It's true – he says – we must not forget that this is his first year in the WorldTour, he will have to learnThe mechanisms are different both in the race and in the group. He comes from a team where he had freedom to do what he wants: here too he'll have his chances, but there will be races where he'll support the captain. It's part of the growth process, because when he finds himself having to manage the team, it will have been useful to have first experienced the role of a gregarious. In the minor races, those of the Italian calendar, which he already knows, he could have some opportunities».
The role of the trainer
How does a coach approach a rider like this? How does he help him grow and improve?
«We coaches – explains Larrazabal – we will have to be good at working and making him climb step by stepThe Natnael engine has it, but the load capacity needs to be increased, it's all part of the maturation process. When you're in a continental team you do 15.000 kilometers a year, as a professional 25.000 and in the WorldTour 30.000. Even the races and focuses change, at Drone Hopper after the Giro d'Italia he raced in the Adriatica Ionica and the national championship. Here the calendar is more intense, after the Giro d'Italia comes the Dauphiné or the Tour de Suisse, there is a considerable increase and young people sometimes tend to underestimate this.
«Tesfatsion's physical and athletic characteristics – he concludes while sipping his coffee – allow him to be a one-day racerThe Ardennes races are races within his reach, like those on the Italian calendar: an example is the Giro dell'Appennino, where he finished second in 2022. But even in this case you have to proceed with caution.Tesfatsion has very good endurance, but it still needs training, both for long distances, such as 250-kilometer races. However, the ability to work hard for several consecutive days must also be trained.We are satisfied with Natnael, he will grow and make himself seen."
