He didn't do the Giro or even the Tour, Where Matteo Trentin? The voice comes through beautifully clear as usual, in the background it can be recognised the chatter of the centre of Livigno, where Matteo will remain until July 20thAn apartment in the center, Claudia, the children and a beautiful sun which in theory from today and for a couple of days will give way to some rainThe plan is to arrive at the end of the season very strong, finally win a race and then present ourselves at the European Championships and the World Championships.
«I will do the whole Spanish program – he says – return to Castilla y Leon, then San Sebastian, Getxo, Burgos and the VueltaThe problem is I haven't done any Grand Tours, so I have to grind out races. The best race to prepare for the World Championships would be the Tour of Britain. Initially it seemed like they'd be open, but now it seems that's changing and each municipality might set different rules... I want a secure calendar, you can understand. And I'm happy to know what I'm going to do and where I'll be ready to do something good."
Tricolour jumped
The recovery after the classics went through the Vuelta Andalucia, Slovenia and the Apennines. But bad luck was lurking and due to the crash in Spain, the Italian championship went to hell.
"It was more of a bothersome injury," he explains. "I fell, but since we were racing and going full blast, I started again, you know how it is... Then the wound got infected, and my foot was out of place, with effusion in my ankle. However, I missed the Italian Championship because of the injury. I was taking antibiotics and it wouldn't have been great with the 40 degrees in the shade of Imola. So, in agreement with the team, it was decided not to go. I was disappointed."
European Championships at home
While someone calls him and he disappears for a second, the discussion shifts to the end-of-season objectives. Because if it is true that European and world are suitable for Colbrelli, Cimolai e Nicelo, imagine what Trentin thinks about it.
"The European Championships will be tough," he says, "with a lot of climbing, but the two times I did the Vuelta, I did well on the climbs, so I'm calm. I went to watch the World Championships, I did the European climb twice a day for five days a week for years when I went to school.Not by bike, but by bus, but I can remember it all. It starts from Porta Aquila and goes up towards Povo, to the University, then at the roundabout you turn left towards Villazzano and the descent is all to pedal. The Bolghera road, turns towards the barracks and then you head towards the Duomo for the finish. Instead, the World Championships will be a mess…».
Rainbow stress
Having lived in Trento for a few years, his description evokes common memories and references: the European route was presented yesterday and we will be back soon. But in April we were also there. Leuven World Championship routes and his prediction intrigues us.
«It will be more or less like Glasgow – he says recalling the European Championships won in 2018 – there will be a rest period on the ring road that we will do twice a lap, then It will be a super stressful job all day to hold the position. We'll always be on the curve.And if you consider that in September in Belgium there could even be a bad weather day, the picture is complete. It will be a classic, a very technical and nervous course."
No gifts
The classics, his daily bread, even in his first year at UAE Team EmiratesTrentin didn't win, but He was among the protagonists of all the races he took part in, often paying the price of bad luck and a few too many punctures.
«I did well – he proudly claims – I also did my placingsThird at Ghent, third at Brabant. Eighth at Het Nieuwsblad, fourth at Kuurne. Then I stopped, knowing that the end of the season will be very challenging. At the Vuelta Andalucia I wasn't even bad, but I fell and in this cycling you can't miss even a quarter, because you pay for it. We're seeing it at the Tour. Everyone who fell, even the lightest fall, paid for it.So now I'm finishing these 20 days at altitude, going home for a week, and then off we go again. How's the weather? I think a light rain would be nice for you too..."
