Enea Sambinello started his second year among the ranks of the UAE Team Emirates Gen Z, in three hundred and sixty-five days things have changed a lot. The young boy with a slightly bewildered look has not yet become a man, but his eyes and voice now convey confidence. During the retreat in December he was no longer the new one, Sambinello is now one of the group and this makes the difference in attitude and daily work.
«The Christmas holidays are behind us – Sambinello says confidently – but at the moment I’m stopped due to a little knee problem. During the training camp we tried to change something in terms of the biomechanical structure. It’s nothing serious, but now I’m still and since yesterday (Monday, ed.) I started doing some physiotherapy.”
At the grown-ups’ table
A year ago Sambinello, together with Davide Stella, was the little boy who arrived in the world of adults. There is a photo that immortalizes them during their first training camp with UAE Team Emiratesshy look and the smile of someone who has just entered a dream.
«The main difference compared to last year – explains Enea Sambinello – is that I enjoyed the retreat more. I know the environment, the staff and my teammates. A year ago sitting at the table with Almeida and Del Toro was almost unthinkable, Now that I’ve raced with them a lot, they can say I see them as my teammates. My awareness has also changed, now I know what my characteristics and qualities are. When you enter a new category like the under 23 category, there are many doubts in your head: Will my level be sufficient? Will I be able to excel? Will I be up to it? For example, if I had had this knee problem last year I would have been much more worried.”
How do you feel now?
I have a compass to follow, I know my strengths. I’m a runner who holds up well uphill, but not a climber, let’s say on mixed routes. Furthermore, the harder and more demanding a race becomes, the more I am seen in the leading positions. I look a bit like Covi in terms of characteristics. Indeed, he was an important reference for me in 2025.
How come?
Because he’s a very empathetic guy. He taught me a lot, also because when I raced with the professionals I was often with him. Another reference figure in this first year in the UAE was that of Majka. I shared a room with Rafal during the Coppi e Bartaliand he was a true master.
What did they teach you?
Very, very much. Let me enjoy what I’m doing, in the end it’s a dream to be a cyclist in a team like that. He also taught me how to behave with staff and classmates, to be helpful, kind and respectful. For us young people in an environment like this it can be difficult to talk to mechanics, masseurs and managers, instead Covi made me understand that sharing thoughts and ideas is important. Always treating everyone as equals.
Is there anything else?
Again thanks to Covi I saw what it means to aim for a goal, to arrive concentrated and aware of the work done in training. As for Majka, just listen to his anecdotes and you understand many things. From him I learned a lot about the runner’s life. I will definitely miss both, it will be difficult to replace them.
Let’s talk about you, what was the season like from a personal point of view?
I would say lived on two tracks: in the first part, until June, I ran a lot with the pros. In the second half of the season, however, I dedicated myself more to under 23 racing. Although at the end of the season I returned to racing with the professionals.
What is your conclusion?
Putting together many good races allowed me to grow, in Spain at the end of January the goal was to finish the race.Instead, at the end of the season the team made me work hard even in crucial momentsit means that my contribution has increased and become increasingly important. There was no victory in the under 23 racesbut I saw that I have the legs to do well and try to get results.
So will this be the goal for 2026?
I talked about it during the retreat in recent weeks with Matxin. This year I will race a lot more among the under 23s, with the idea of getting a result. The first objective of the season will be the three international races in Italy: Piva, Belvedere and Recioto, I don’t hide the fact that I want to try to do well at Liège U23 too. I think they are all suitable races for me.
Your profile can also be important on a national level under 23, have you already spoken to the city Amadori?
We talk often. Surely these new UCI rules and the absence of the Nations Cup trials will lead us to take alternative paths. But we know we are a strong national team, both from a Tour de l’Avenir perspective and for the European and World Championships.
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