«People and journalists – says Consonni – only see those in front. But to understand the true essence of a Ghent-Wevelgem, you should put the camera on the last ones. To the first ones, everything seems easy. On the computer in the last Kemmel, a 20 percent cobblestone wall after 5 and a half hours of racing with screaming legs, it was written “Interrupted race”. This is what it says when the speed drops below 4 km/h.But breaking away with 90 meters to go and still holding on to reach the finish line means trying to bring out the best in you. Phenomena are born, good riders are made."
Knee okay
Thus begins this technical journey back to Simone Consonni's Gand-Wevelgem, whose knee he seems to have settled downThe rider from Bergamo returned to racing and finished 62nd in Wevelgem.
«After Harelbeke – he says – I was finished. Ghent was the fourth race of the year and up there we are in the elite of world cycling.. I'm quite satisfied to have finished it without any pain in my knee."
While Van Aert and the three Italians were fighting for the race, Consonni was struggling to reach the finish line. We asked him to tell us about it. his day in the saddle.
Wake up and breakfast
If the hotel is, as always, in the Oudenaarde area, to get to the departure point from Ypres you have to do a fair bit of transfer.
What time is the alarm?
Very early, not good for me. In the days before, I was alone in the hotel and woke up at 9:00. For other races in Belgium, the alarm clock is usually at 8:00. This time it rang at 7 and during the night there was also the change to daylight saving timeI even tried going to bed a little earlier, but I couldn't sleep. A handicapped start (laughs, ed.).
Breakfast in your room like in Belgium during Covid?
No, luckily the team took over a whole floor of the hotel and so we managed to keep the bubble, with two rooms used as a restaurantIf breakfast is at 8, I set my alarm for 8 and always arrive at the table a little later, to make the most of my rest. When I arrived, I saw that someone had ordered pasta, but I didn't feel like it. Instead I ate yogurt, cereal and honey. Two toasted slices. One with almond cream, eggs and hamThe other one with jam. A little coffee and off we go…
Without pasta before such a strenuous run?
I prefer not to get stuck, foreseeing the departure at full speedAnyway, on the bus I ate a banana and a carb bar, so I could leave without feeling weighed down. And then I slept for another 15 minutes.
What did you do when you arrived in Ypres?
I put on my leotard and a heavy jacket. We went to the signing and the team presentation. Then we went back to the bus and had the meetingI drank another coffee. I stocked up on gels and energy bars, and five minutes before leaving, I had another coffee: my third of the day.
Road bike
They had also said it Nicelo and cousin Trentino. Among the races of the North, Ghent is the one you tackle with the most normal bikeThe Kemmel is the only cobbled section that is a bit long, but the surface is so good that it doesn't require any special precautions.
Normal bike?
The street one, with 25" tubulars and lower rims. 40" and not 55". Wheels on the defensive, in short, to take fewer hits. Since the only cobblestones were those of the Kemmelberg, I inflated the tires to 6 front and rear, while for example in Harelbeke I had 6,2 at the front and 6,4 at the rear.
Relationships?
Classics. 39-54 and 11-29. On the Kemmel the 29th was served and if I had had it, I would have pushed the 32 too. Two water bottles and off we go…
Smart refueling
Everyone has their own habits, and as you can see, Consonni doesn't eat sandwiches other than pasta for breakfast. Although perhaps the exception is due to the type of running.
What was in the two water bottles?
In both cases, 45-50 grams of carbohydrates. I also had 5 gels and 2 bars in my pocket, so that supplement every hour with 60-80 grams of carbohydrates. We started right away with a flame, then the fans went away. Only after 100 kilometers I managed to eat the only bar I had all day..
No sandwiches?
In races like this, where you're always going full blast and you don't have time to eat, I prefer to integrate carbohydrates by drinking and with gelsIn a stage race, when the pace slows after the first hour, a sandwich is a good idea.
What did you get in your supply bag?
There were two canteens. Not just water, because it's not that hot yet. They were still carbohydrates, plus a couple of sandwiches that I left behind, energy bars and gels. My Ghent has been a continuous reintegration. And it was a lot of hard work.
Hard work
If you're using the Northern races as a way to restart from a break, given the level of competition, you should be aware that you'll have to grit your teeth until it hurts.
You were saying: a lot of hard work…
Just look at the heart. In Harelbeke I ran for 4 hours and at the end I got an average heart rate of 158 beats., a clear sign that I'm not very fit, and I knew it. Yesterday, however, my legs were pushing, but I didn't have the pace to change. I ran 150 kilometers chasing. Average heart rate dropped to 149 with peaks of 185, from which you can clearly see how finished I was. In fact, on Saturday I had climbed up to 196, so I feel like saying that we did a good block of workWe knew I'd struggle and that I wouldn't have the energy to stay up front and help the team. But I'm happy to have finished and to have worked well. Hush, hush, Last week I drove 1.000 kilometersThe day after the Nokere Koerse I did 4 hours and then 3 hours every day, to complete the work.
How to say that one way or another the condition will arrive?
The idea is that, even if it is a double-edged sword, because I really went overboard a lotNow I have three days of recovery ahead of me, continuing to do the exercises to strengthen my knee. Even up there, anyway. I had my rubber bands and I worked with them.
Active recovery
Consonni arrived home around 9:30 pm on Sunday, on a flight to Linate. He will return to Belgium next week for Scheldeprijs, the Wednesday between Flanders and Roubaix, about which the mystery remains thick.
Recovery at home?
Two days off the bike and the gym to work on my knee. Then I'll contact Villa, because I wouldn't mind going to do some work sessions on the track between Thursday and Friday.
When was the last time you ate on a run?
More or less there were 150 kilometers left to go. And when we got to the bottom, My stomach was upset because of all the sugar I had thrown in. Eventually I stayed with the group and let them carry me to the finish line. They told me about the ugly scenes they'd shown of Bennett throwing up. Well, this is the North for most athletesBeautiful to look at, beautiful to experience, but different from what you imagine.
After arrival
From Wevelgem to Bergamo, passing through Brussels and Linate. Remember Moschetti's story Last week? Consonni fared better.
Did you eat anything after arriving?
I did spend at least 40 minutes, otherwise my stomach is closed and I can't get anything down. Then I swallowed the classic protein bottle. And then, going to the airport, the post-race meal prepared by the teamThis time there was quinoa with mozzarella, tuna, and cherry tomatoes. Finally, at the airport, with all the restaurants closed, I ate a prosciutto sandwich. The best part is that when I arrived in Italy, Despite the great effort and having eaten like a rider, I was no longer hungryIt means I've worked well and integrated correctly. When my legs start working, you're getting into the right loop. You understand that things work.
During the days of your knee pain you talked about weight.
I had actually given up a bit, but from the moment I was able to start again, I stayed focused. Now I'm around 73,5 while at the Tour I was 71,5. So that's fine.
Next races?
My program, due to my knee, arrives in Scheldeprijs so we will have to redo it also in light of Elia's (Viviani, ed.) programs. I've heard of the Valenciana, maybe track racesIt's all up in the air, I don't even know if the Roubaix will happen...
