After the considerations of Baldato on stage number twenty of the next Tour of Italy (the Monte Lussari time trial) let's try to go into more detail. Such a fraction has many possible facets and as many endings ready to be written.In the virtual company of Maurizio Mazzoleni, the preparer of theAstana Qazaqstan which is currently located on Teide, let's try to delve into these thousand facets.
«The first assessment – explains Mazzoleni – looking at the stage, is that a change of bike is expected. However, this is not a given, each team will have to evaluate the materials available. and understand, through data projections, whether it will be worth opting for this solution."
Do you think that changing bikes could be a fundamental phase of the stage?
Yes, in the sense that it will be a delicate transition, but more regarding the timing and technical difficulties of the change from one medium to another.
From an athletic standpoint?
Not that one, the rider goes from an extreme biomechanical and postural situation to a more comfortable oneEvery situation will have to be handled as best as possible, but in the end it's more about managing the effort.
Eleven kilometers of flat ground before the climb isn't much, but it can make an impact.
The intensity with which to tackle that stretch must be carefully evaluated; the athlete cannot be asked to make a maximum effort because he risks arriving at the foot of the climb finished. The big difference will be made by the condition in which he arrives at the end of the GiroThe final standings will be at stake, so the psychological pressure will be sky-high.
How do you prepare for a stage like this?
Specific training sessions are carried out within macrocycles and microcycles. For the uphill section, an intense effort is prepared, but very similar to that of a normal uphill finish. We will have the classic thirty minutes with maximum effort, to which we will add specific work with the time trial bikeOne thing is certain…
What?
Only the leader or a climber aiming for victory prepares a stage like this. The other members of the team have no interest whatsoever.Every leader or rider is different and there are many ways to prepare for this stage.
Is there a feature of this fraction that struck you?
I would say the climb. The first five kilometers are really tough with gradients of up to 15 percent. Then it flattens out for about a thousand meters and there the riders can catch their breath before launching themselves again into the final stretch.
With all the equipment, is it possible to be precise in the indications?
Nowadays, athletes in time trials, especially in those of this type, have wattage predispositions that they must respect. It's up to the trainer to be good and find the right moments in which the athlete, even when pushing, can still take a breather.Another fundamental aspect to take care of is breathing, for correct oxygenation of the muscles.
You've followed many riders in the past. Do you remember any other time trial races?
I remember one at the 2014 Giro d'Italia, the one of Monte Grappa, with Aru (opening photo, ed.) He won Quintana and Fabio came second. Even in that case we had to change bikes because the stretch that led from Bassano to the start of the climb was very fast.I also remember another one.
What?
Stage number 18 of the Tour de France of 2016: from Sallanches to Megeve. Always with Fabio Aru who had done really wellIn that case we didn't opt for the bike shifter because we could still use road handlebar extensions. I remember that we studied the materials to have maximum performance and Aru used a rear wheel with a particular spoke patternFabio often stood up on the pedals on the uphill sections, and that wheel had a great reactivity that allowed him to push all the power applied by the Sardinian to the ground.
Is it unthinkable to do a time trial like this year's on a time trial bike?
Not entirely, technology has advanced a lot and now time trial models are extremely light. Some frames that are used on those vehicles are “aero” and only the handlebars changeThe riding position makes a lot of difference; a road bike is more comfortable, and this is another reason why you might want to change bikes.
Baldato, looking at his own home field, mentioned Almeida. A consistent and mentally strong rider, will this characteristic matter much?
A stage like this is one hundred percent in the athlete's hands. Concentration is an intrinsic ability of the rider, it can be trained but then everyone is made in their own way.. An important figure in such a race is the mental coach because it can help the cyclist find his ideal size and perform at his best.
Usually we follow what can be considered a “ritual” to isolate ourselves and find concentration.
Of course, for each stopwatch we have protocols that must be followed. We start with the reconnaissance, then lunch and the approach, the warm upThese are canonical times that help mark time and release pressure. It almost becomes more of a mental than a physical thing.
