He will be the only Italian to take part in both Tour of Italy that the Tour de France, and the period between the two most important races in the world will be crucial for Mattia Cattaneo. The athlete of Soudal-Quick Step He told us in detail how he is managing this very delicate phase.
To better understand everything he is going through, we must keep in mind two key concepts highlighted by Mattia himself: how to interpret the Giro e how do you get out of itTwo key points for setting up all of June's work.
At the end of the Giro, Cattaneo confided in us that he'd be staying in Rome for two days. A few strolls around the Eternal City with his family, a hearty plate of amatriciana and cacio e pepe, but above all, plenty of relaxation, especially for the mind.
Mattia, let's start by talking about total rest. How long did you stay off the bike after the Giro?
Indeed I was completely stopped for three days. I spent two days in Rome as a tourist, and another one resting as soon as I got home. Then I did another four days of active recovery.
What did you do during this active rest?
The first day, just over an hour, but super easy. Then for two days I did three hours, always at a very slow pace, and on the fourth day another hour. Then I started increasing the loads again. But taking into account that I come from a great Giro: the volumes are different. This week I started training again, considering both the numbers from a scientific point of view and my feelings.
And what are the scientific parameters?
There are many who observe the trainers and those in charge, but I think about morning heart rate, heart rate variability, sleep quality and duration...
And then there's the experience…
Exactly. That's what matters most, at least in my opinion of cycling. Also considering mental recovery. After a great Giro, you often don't feel like pedaling, and when that desire starts to make itself felt again, it's a great sign. I, being old, put it first. The desire to ride a bike is one of the first signs of recovery.
How are you working?
Basically I do two days of loading and one day of unloading, but it's all very variable. If I'm feeling well, I'll also add the third day. It's a tough schedule, which I take day by day, largely based on how I feel. And obviously in consultation with my trainer. In the afternoon I meet with the coachI tell them how I'm feeling, how I reacted to the work, whether I was tired in general or just muscularly. If I'm not at my best, either we recover or we don't do the third loading day. And vice versa. Others, however, continue with their program regardless of how they feel.
And are these athletes really there?
Among us “old people” I don’t think so, but among today’s young people who rely heavily on science, I imagine so.
What do you do on loading days?
Okay the Tour, but now I'm also focusing a lot on the time trial at the Italian championships. I'd like to get there in the best possible way. I'm using my time trial bike even more these days. I already use it a lot, but now I'm really doing targeted training. I know it will win. Ganna, that Allied Products He will beat me, but I hope for a place on the podium! Then, Knowing that I will be doing the Tour, I am also including long climbs, at a medium-medium-high pace (what we now call Z3-Z4, ed.). Climbs of 50'-60' as well.
And where do you find such long climbs?
I live in Engadine, in the Saint Moritz area of Switzerland (at about 1.800 meters above sea level, ed.), and there's no shortage of them here. There's the Bernina, the Maloja, the Fluela, the Fuorn, the Stelvio when I pass through Livigno...
Stelvio: a question more from an amateur cyclist than a journalist, Mattia: when you get to the Umbrail junction and there are 3 kilometers to the top of the Stelvio, do you turn around or go to the top?
It depends on how I feel. If I'm "half and half," I turn toward the valley, the Engadine. But if I'm well, I keep going straight. The Stelvio is always the Stelvio: when you get up there and see the sign that says 2.700-odd meters, you get excited!
It wasn't such a bad question then! It's nice to hear certain things from a pro, though. Let's get serious: earlier you mentioned volumes. Load volumes, considering you're coming off a major Giro. What does that mean?
It means leveraging the amount of work you've put in at the Giro. It all depends on how you come out of it. If you're incredibly tired, you have to focus on recovery. If you come out well, like I did, you can work. But why did I come out well? Because, even though I was often in the breakaway in the final week and I tried, I was able to interpret the Giro in a certain way. Sometimes, even if I was feeling well (and this is crucial), I would immediately break away and save energy by forming a small group. In the third week, a couple of times when I found myself in the breakaway, I said to myself, "Damn, I've got the Tour too!" But you know, if you're feeling good and you're willing, you go for it. The important thing is not to burn yourself out. That way, you can make the most of the Giro to reach the top of the Tour. And here comes another question: what am I going to do at the Tour?
And what are you going to do?
I'll have to work for Remco, especially on the climbs. This is also why I'm trying to take advantage of the fact that I left the Giro very lean, to improve my climbing performances. And I'm doing that work on the long climbs. If I had to work for a sprinter, I would have recovered more and tried to gain mass, I would have done other work. I repeat: if you don't come out destroyed, the great Giro helps you a lot. At least for me. Mentally too: there's no better training ahead of the Tour. It gives you a leg up that no homework can give you.…unless you kill yourself. But I'm neither old enough nor capable of doing that. Maybe some younger people would.
A perfect picture. You were very clear, Mattia. And your great motivation is evident.
It's my first time doing the Giro-Tour double, so it's all new for me too. But, for my experience of cycling, it's better this way. These days, there's almost more risk of being exhausted from training at home than from racing.
But after the Italian Championships, in the week before the Tour, what do you do? Do you unload?
Actually, after Italian, we're only at home for one day, because on Tuesday we're already leaving for Lille. It's all about recharging our batteries. Between travel and everything else, you have three days to pedal. Maybe in one of these three days you can do three hours, three and a half hours, a little more quickly, and then that's it. Just recovery, before and after.
You guys, especially in the top teams, often test new gear. Do you test the Tour gear at home?
On the technical and time trial front, I personally have nothing new. The bike I had before the Giro is the same one I will have in France. So at home I'm using my classic setup
And what about integration? What if any new products arrive?
There's something new here. At the Tour, we'll have a new carb bar and gel. These are definitely worth trying. It's a workout for the gut. I brought these products directly from the Giro. We had actually already started using them at the end of the Giro, but at this stage it's right to test them and get feedback.
Last question, Mattia. You mentioned Remco: you're now one of his most loyal followers... Did you hear that? He's doing well, judging by the Dauphiné.
We feel the way teammates naturally do. Saying I'm his most loyal supporter... that's nice, but maybe he'll say it himself! The Tour with Remco was very likely from the beginning of the season and when they confirmed that I would go to France with him, that became the priority. Especially with a captain like that: there is enormous motivation.
