Luca Paletti has recently returned from the European Championship in France, his first international experience in cyclocross as an under-23. The rider of Green Project-Bardiani-CSF Faizanè he has put his first professional season behind him. A few things have changed around him, but the calendar has remained firm. cyclocross, with very clear objectives.
«I had planned with the team – says Paletti – to get to the European Championship and then take a week off to rest. Taking part in the continental expedition was my goal for the last few monthsI wanted to be called up to gain new international experiences, the one in France would have been my first among the under-23s. As a junior I often raced abroad, taking part in six World Cup events and the World Championship».
One year trial
The leap into the under 23 category, as far as cyclocross is concerned, pallet he had already done so in the winter of 2022But his mud season was significantly shortened compared to previous years.
«Last winter – he explains – I only took part in races on the Italian calendar, I wanted to race off-road, but without too much effort. In short, the plan was to keep myself moving until I started preparing with Green Project for the road season.
«It was an intense year – continues Paletti – because I started in the fall of 2022 and made it all the way to July 2023 without ever stopping. Together with the team we had planned a break period after the Giro Next Gen, so as to have the energy to get to the European Championships last weekend."
Different rhythms
Luca Paletti's season, therefore, had moments that were "out of step" compared to the other Green Project players. However, the planning of his first year as a professional was designed to be in line with with their companions at appropriate times.
«My colleagues at Green Project – Paletti explains to us – stopped a month after me. After the Tour of Taihu Lake, in China in mid-September, I put the road bike aside and I started training for cyclocross. I made my debut on October 1st in Tarvisio (opening photo by Alessandro Billiani), The six races I did in Italy helped me get ready for the European Championship. From which, I must be honest, I come away satisfied with what I have done.
«Now I'm resting for a week – he says – and then I'll resume training on the road until the training camp in Benidorm in December. I think that my condition, despite the extra month of activity in cross-country, will be the same as my teammatesOnce I get back from that work block I'll get back on the cross bike to finish the season."
The benefits are there
The young rider guided by Rossato and Reverberi has already had the opportunity to see the benefits of the dual activity last winter. Off-road work certainly keeps the body active and ready for the first matches of the season..
«I've been using this method of managing the two activities since I was a second-year junior», concludes Paletti, «and I'm very happy with it. I had a harder time adapting to the pace I found on the road, as they are very different from previous years. I felt the benefits of doing cross-country, however, right from the first races in Croatia., where I arrived ready. It will be important to maintain the same balance and see how I emerge from the cross-country season."
