The phone rings, Viel answers. He's in South Africa, Johannesburg, his partner's city. Mattia stopped here for to escape from the cold of Turin and think about his futureHe is currently without a team for 2022, but there is no shortage of ideas and projects. The underlying thought is to stay on the road and continue the experience among the professionals, however, nowadays in a world full of opportunities, the Turin native is also looking at other possibilities. Gravel and track are disciplines that fascinate and interest him to the point of glimpsing a possible future. «Hello, Mattia!
How are you doing, are you in the off season?
I am in South Africa from my girlfriend who will soon move to Turin with me. I came directly from Giro d'Italia Criterium in Dubai and then I stayed because given the harsh winter in Turin and the temperature here, I preferred to stay for train as best I can and recharge my batteries.
What's the Covid situation like in South Africa? Is the new variant scary?
The situation here is very quieter than EuropeIt's summer, so all events and everyday life are lived outdoors and that helps. Omicron variant has certainly increased infections, but the danger is that he might come to Europe, because here both my girlfriend and I have no restrictions in our daily lives, except for masks and the curfew from midnight to four in the morning.
Let's talk about you, you're currently without a team for 2022...
I have not had any proposals that could convince me for next year, after I did 3 and a half years in Androni Giocattoli SidermecI've been waiting here for something to happen. In the meantime, I'm continuing my online business with my partner Carla Patrocinio. BikeKinetic.
Have you already received any offers?
Yes, I'm considering a few things. Because the ones I've had so far, for one reason or another, haven't convinced me. But it's not a matter of pretension, it's more of a mix of organization and responsibility. Currently, the situation is... Covid has dealt a blow to the budgets of many teams. But some with the excuse of the evenepoel e pogacar, who are phenomena, make the project young, but everyone knows that there are few Remcos and Tadejs. With the money you would give to an experienced rider, you can take three or four young people.
So are they only investing in young people?
No, there's definitely a scouting issue., but it must be said that it is convenient from an economic point of view. In Italy there are three professionals: Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec, Bardiani-CSF-Faizané ed Eolo-Kometa. I'm lucky to have had a contract with Androni, while Bardiani had a very young transfer market.He took many U23 riders. So much so that there are very good foot riders like Andrea Garosio.
For an athlete in your situation, aren't there many alternatives?
In Italy it's difficult at the moment. Or one he wins and he is a crystal clear talent and then enters the WorldTour team circuit. Or you have to jump from one professional to another or go down to continental.
Are you considering this option?
I didn't say I wanted to stay in the professional ranks. Definitely. I have ambitions, but I'm convinced I can achieve them even in a continental team well organized. The problem that arises is that just as the professional ones suffer, also Continentals struggle to guarantee a minimum wage, since they are exempt from the minimum wage rule unlike the higher categories. And in the end, a rider of my age who is approaching 27 years old and has invested in a house and business, can no longer afford certain compromises. .
So the continental is more than a possibility?
Il The problem with continentals is that there can only be two out-of-quota former professionals. I had contact with teams that would have given me financial support, but unfortunately the slots were full. At the federal level, they are blocked. Also because there are continental teams, such as Work Service, with a calendar that has nothing to envy of the professional ones, except for the Giro and a couple of classics.
Have you given yourself an explanation for not having a team for 2022?
I believe that In modern cycling, either you win and you're a phenomenon or you have to carve out a space for yourself. When I saw that I wasn't a phenomenon, I started to be a team player and always go on the attackI went to breakaway to the Italian championship, to the Milan-Sanremo, al Tour Poitou-Charentes, where I won the intermediate sprint classification. I thought it was a way to get noticed, but maybe that was important years ago. Cycling today, you either win or you're young. This is a cruel reflection of current cycling..
Did the word “retirement” cross your mind?
No, I have some evolving contacts. I think I can still give something to cycling.
Do you have any other projects in mind?
I studied languages, I really like marketing and brand advertising. In fact I have a project for 2022, precisely so as not to think about retiring. Di continue in the world of gravel, taking inspiration in Italy from Mattia De Marchi or abroad from Ian Boswell who was a rider who raced in Sky and Katusha, or again Peter Stetina who comes from experiences at BMC and Trek-Segafredo. Another name is Nathan Hass who ran in Cofidis and has now thrown himself into this world. I could be a trailblazer in Italy, since things haven't really taken off here yet.I'm already contacting some sponsors for my let's call it “Gravel Project” for 2022 which, if no convincing proposal arrives, could be an equally attractive concrete possibility.
Would you do a hybrid season?
Currently If nothing comes along on the road that can convince me, I would only do gravel. The speech has so much potential since this discipline could become UCI. With the excuse of gravel, a WorldTour team, continental or professional, could in agreement with the bike manufacturer, Pinarello, Wilier, Bottecchia and many others, be interested in launching the gravel model.
In Europe they sell gravel bikes but there are few races…
It's a difficult situation, in Europe the potential of the gravel world has not yet been understood. Perhaps the only input is the UCI calendar. In the United States, it has moved on from zero races to a 268-race calendar. Confirmed by gravelcyclist.com. In Europe we are around thirty competitiveOne aspect that should not be underestimated is that there are few races but the events in this area are growing and many Gran Fondos are being created for this discipline.
Could you become an ambassador and tester in addition to an athlete?
Si I could give feedback on the materials and participate in the development of various technologiesUltimately, we're talking about a new specialty where there's a lot to test. These are all things that with the experience and sensitivity of the professional, they could be useful to companies. One important thing is that It's not a project I'd do as a fallback. It's something I'm passionate about; it has important messages. Bringing cycling closer to people who may be afraid of the road. I did it twice Strade Bianche, and the off-road landscapes are extraordinary.
The last time that we met you You told us you wanted to get back on the track too…
If I were to retire from road and start with gravel, for sure I could go alongside the track. For instance Ashton Lambie, the individual pursuit world champion also does gravel racingIt is an environment that is performing since many former professionals have thrown themselves into it head first. It I look back, it all started with the Italian championship where I beat GannaYes, of course we were still students, it's true, but it's in my DNA. I so many ideas and I don't want to close the doors to the future and the possibilities that may arise yet. They are slowly taking shape, Let's see which one will allow me to be satisfied and to do it as a job 100 percent.
