In his first year as an under23, Mattia Agostinacchio it’s moving forward. Many are still amazed by his results, especially his character presence which makes him a boy even more mature than his age, but among these they are certainly not the managers of EF Education EasyPost who they built a real staff around him, understanding that they had a rare jewel in their handsbut which must be carefully guarded.
The American team has entered the world of cyclocross to meet the needs of the local rider and over the course of the year he will also be joined by his brother Filippo, currently in the ranks of Biesse Carrera and who will join the team as an intern in the second half of the season. But the activity on the lawns is only one aspect of a larger project and after the first weeks and the first successes, the sporting director Sebastian Langeveld it painted a broader picture of the expectations placed on the boy.
Langeveld sets the record straight
Interviewed by In De Leiderstrui, a Dutch media, Langeveld immediately put the cards in his hand on the table, identifiable with very high ambitions: «We want Mattia to grow into a road cyclist capable of competing for victoriesin any context.”
To do this, considering its characteristics and its ability to emerge in multiple disciplines, the American team therefore accepted the challenge of broadening its horizon by joining other WT teams like Alpecin Deceuninck which has made it its own distinctive sign, but also like Red Bull, FDJ-Suez, Visma-Lease a Bike itself. The cyclocross activity is important and even more so if Mattia continues on his path of growth, in his collection of results. But without ever forgetting the… main road.
A division built especially for them
«There is still a lot to do with Mattia. This is his first year as an U23 in cyclocross, others will follow and then as an elite, but we must always keep in mind that cyclocross activity must also be best used as a basis for the road season. On the other hand, I have always been convinced that cyclocross activity, if taken seriously, strengthens one’s qualities on the road and we have had many examples, even beyond absolute champions like Van der Poel o Van Aert. This is why EF Education EasyPost has created its own special division for winter activities.”
It wasn’t easy: «There were some setbacks, it’s the first year and it’s all a bit experimental. We don’t just have Mattia, there is also his brother Filippo who will then return with us on the road and the Luxembourg Nina Berton and we have every intention of expanding, but taking the steps at the right times. We need to look to the future to see if and how we want to expand this business».
A trend to follow
On one aspect Langeveld was clear: «If we looked only at the absolute champions, at the “three tenors” we would make an error of assessment. We must look at cyclocross as a whole, understanding that it is a breeding ground for talent. I am convinced that cyclocross and classics can coincide well, that activity on the grass is also useful for spring, let’s look at the results of Del Grosso, Nys, Stybar, Boom and we could move forward.”
Langeveld also speaks from direct experience: «I also did cyclocross at a high level in the youth categories, but I wasn’t good enough to combine that discipline with adequate results on the road and I won’t hide that I’m sorry. I stayed away from that world for a long time, but now I’ve thrown myself back into the fray. I will follow Mattia throughout his winter with the team staff and also with his father who always gives us an important hand. Compared to when I was racing, cyclocross has changed a lot, but I think I can still give good advice, especially on how to interpret certain routes.”
Races with the first team are expected
The Aosta champion’s road program is still being defined as far as the road is concerned, but EF is already thinking about it. It is already certain that the European champion will take part not only in some of the main events on the international calendar of the category, but will also begin to take action with the WorldTourthe managers of the American team intend to give him more experience with the first team and compare himself with the cycling of the champions. Without pressure, but to get used to what his usual level should be as soon as possible.
Related News :