When he arrived the time to move from the juniors to the Green Project-Bardiani, Pellizzari and Massimiliano “Max” Gentili who recommends it they thought it was time to change the coachNo longer the former Umbrian professional who brought him so splendidly to adulthood, but someone more experienced. So the choice fell on Leonardo Piepoli, whose friendship with Gentili began well before Pellizzari came into the worldThe Apulian is one of the Movistar Team's trainers, but has the right to coach other athletes unless it conflicts with the Spanish team.
«With Max – says Piepoli – we've known each other since Tour of Luigiana when we were juniorsWe were running in two different regions and we met while we were sitting on the sidewalk before the prologue in SarzanaThen we continued to talk as a group. As juniors, we'd meet twice a year, then as amateurs, we saw each other more often. Max with Pellizzari was of a rare correctness to see.And when the change of category came, he decided that Giulio needed another coach, underestimating himself. He too has abundant knowledge and the right sensitivity, but the principle was right.. And looking for me, he said that the boy needed someone he could trust, while still Massimiliano Gentili, with his humanity and his conscience, will always remain Pellizzari's trusted person.».
What do you think of Giulio?
As a boy, on a mental level he has the right qualities to be a cyclistBecause he's a dreamer. He likes what he does. He likes cycling. He is bad and suffers when he losesHe's in a hurry to get going. There are riders who hesitate, weighed down by everything behind their work. Giulio knows it's all part of the package and takes it without too much fuss.In my opinion, it should be like this, a rider must train with the pleasure of doing it.
Does Pellizzari experience it like this?
He understood from the very beginning what he had to do. Sometimes he likes it more, sometimes less, but he dreams of winning and says soIn recent years, however, they've been afraid to put themselves out there. Talent is needed, as is desire. It's essential for a good career.
How challenging was the transition from junior to professional?
Max respected him very much. The good thing about Giulio is that he was a junior who was absolutely not squeezed, neither mentally nor physically.He was far from his limits. He raised a boy, he didn't prepare him. Then of course, when you turn professional, you find yourself making an important leap. But Gentili's talent is the mentality he passed on to him.He prepared him by telling him that one day the time would come to climb that step and when it arrived, Giulio had imagined him so many times that he didn't even think he was that tall.
Was the first year, 2022, dedicated to adapting to the new category?
Let's also say that Last year he had a few too many setbacks, it's not like the boy is lucky. Sometimes he has some hitches that have held him back a bit. He's sick at the wrong timeOh God, when someone is sick it's always the wrong time, but he has a few too many setbacks. The year before he passed, he had problems with his knee that stopped him and as a junior, for example, he obtained results that were not consistent with his qualitiesHe was a bit unlucky. He's not the type to go around in the winter without a shirt or to come out of the disco sweaty. I mean, you know? From a certain point of view, it's okay: it's all about growing up...
Giulio says he realized he had grown up when he was able to follow the U23s of the various devo teams…
I don't want to say bad things about them, but It's not that difficult for them to get all the best ones. They watch the World Cup and the European Championship and have the top three sign. A bit like Locatelli or Zalf in our time. Not that I want to take away any credit from the teams, mind you, though. their performance must be filtered by the quality they know they have.
And if they don't get the squadrons, the agents will give them a hand...
That's right, in quotes, it's a game that creates a chain reaction of advantages. The Green Project has changed its policy, it has brought in these young people, some of them very strong, and the results are being seen.
Can you tell what kind of rider he'll become or is it too early to put a label on him?
He's very early, even just in terms of physical development. In a year, he's already grown quite a bit, but he's still very small. He's definitely recovering well, plus he's physically and mentally tough.If we take two athletes with the same characteristics, what makes the difference is to have or not have a good feeling about sufferingThere are those who are tired and sit down and those who, like him, insist.
It's a shame he didn't finish the Giro d'Italia, it would have been a useful test...
Indeed. The Cansiglio stage was a real highlight, and then the Stelvio, it would have been nice to see how it went. I'm curious to see if it will go to the Future Tower and how will it goWhen he works in Livigno, some people complain because the climbs are long, but he doesn't. I am convinced that he would have been strong at the Giro d'Italia, but it's my belief and, in quotation marks, I keep it to myself.
