It's the offseason, but not just for the riders. While team managers are busy with the transfer market and looking for new sponsors, For mechanics, we can say that it's a bit like the calm before the storm. But be careful: they are certainly not sitting on their hands.
We talked about it with Matthew Cornacchione, mechanical historian of the Ineos Grenadiers, a WorldTour team with athletes from all over the world, which already has Australia in its sights for the start of the season. Cornacchione is currently at home, returning in three weeks, and he also goes out on his bike when he can. Passion, after all, never goes off-season.
How long is the offseason for a mechanic?
We do get a few days off, but my holidays are more about having fun, which can even be a bike ride. I use my off-season to enjoy cycling, in a way that racers might not: for them, it's work. Anyway, After Lombardy, I didn't go home straight away but I put some material away in the warehouse.
Where do you have the warehouse?
In Belgium, in Deinze, a town an hour north of Brussels: a strategic location because there are many races and we are close to both Brussels airports. It's no coincidence that in these parts there are also Lidl Trek, Soudal-Quick Step, as well as other teams. I stayed there for three days.
And what did you do in those days?
This offseason we sorted out the material and held some conferences with colleagues.
What do you discuss at these conferences? Maybe about ordering materials?
We already have a guy who takes care of the orders for the materials: he knows how much we have and what's missing to get started. We mechanics think more about logistics: trucks, accommodations, materials to carry more or less on trips. Let's take stock of what worked a little less well, also considering the organization of air travel.
Also because time is running out…
True: it seems early, but time passes quickly thinking about the first trip, which will be to Australia for the Tower Down Under. Our first appointment will be on November 23rd at bike build, in the warehouse in Belgium. We will spend ten days all together to arrange the material and the trucks: how the tools and the bikes should be arranged...
So, you're at home but you don't completely disconnect?
Exactly. In free afternoons, we sometimes think about how to improve our travel schedules. Understand where we went wrong and propose solutions to the team. When you have three businesses, four including the collection, you have to think about everything: materials and personnel. It's no coincidence that we have a dedicated manager.
And how do you organize yourselves with the riders?
We leave all the old material for the entire off-season, so every rider has a time trial bike and a road bike at home. And many also have gravel bikes: many kids use them for fun or for racing.
And how do they return the material?
When they come When we pick up the bike we usually give it to them and they bring us the old one.They have a bag for transporting them on the plane. If they arrive by car, as the Spanish often do at local retreats, they bring them themselves. Shipping a bike to Europe costs over 200 euros. It's important to deliver new bikes early, especially to those starting early.
Why?
Because arriving at the first race with saddles or levers that need to be adjusted down to the millimeter isn't ideal. A break-in period is needed: at least two or three days on bike number one, i.e. the one chosen for the race.
Let's talk about newcomers? Do they already have a Pinarello? And how do you provide them with one already set up?
We do a bike fitting with the new ones. They already have their measurements, but to better adapt to the new saddle or Pinarello Most handlebars, we'll do it anyway. If we can, we'll arrange this bike fitting before the Lombardy race, based on the guys' commitments with their old team.
And where does the bike fit take place?
Always in our warehouse in Belgium, where we have space and everything we need. We are followed by an external company and there are two coachesThey're usually the ones who will work with the riders. They obviously take advantage of this opportunity to get to know them.
Are there mechanics too?
Yes, because We try to deliver the new bike immediately with the Elite car or plane bag. The longest part is when you need a different frame: they change the attachments, the thicknesses... To use the new bike you need permission from the old team, but they usually say yes.
And when do the riders leave the team?
There's no rush; these are guys we've known for a long time. For example, Salvatore Puccio, who stopped playing, gave us everything back right after Il Lombardia. But having the material early is better, especially time trial bikes.: it can be used to prepare for the season or for the young juniors or under 23s who rotate around our team.
How do you organize yourselves when new materials arrive?
Presentations always take place in the warehouse in Belgium, where there are dedicated spaces for meetings. In particular with Shimano, which together with Pinarello is our main partner, Let's talk about what worked and what didn't. And they explain the upgrades to us... considering that there's more and more electronics. And we also work a lot with the company that supplies us with the "toolbox."
In what sense?
If a new tool arrives, this German brand that supports us explains how to use it. These are not trivial things: today, absolute precision is required. Equipment is essential and they also ask us about our needs, if perhaps we need anything else. Or if they can build a dedicated article.
Matteo, you're also a fan: if something new comes along, do you let me know right away?
Yes. I remember that when we switched from rim brakes to disc brakes, and we at Ineos were among the last, I studied a lot. I did a lot of research during those winter months on how to assemble and disassemble the new disc bikes. But in general, even today I usually always take a peek.
