The countdown to Davide Piganzoli’s Giro d’Italia debut is almost over. Today (Monday) he will return from the hill, he will make a short stop at home and then off to Turin together with other Polti-Kometa comrades. The Italian born in 2002 is, together with Pellizzari, the future of Italy in stage races. No pressure, but the awareness that in the growth process we have reached the point of looking into the cycling of the greats and try to set foot there.
«Today – Piganzoli says from home – I did the last four and a half hours of training before leaving for the Giro. A nice hard training session, with lots of intervals and behind the engine. The best way to load up a bit and get a lot of racing pace. Since the Tour of the Alps I’ve been working hard to find brilliance and the right pedal stroke.”
Run over
The rumors have followed each other since the beginning of the year leading up to the pink-tinged days of the Giro. Piganzoli was one of the possible names that Polti-Kometa could have brought to the start of Turin. The Valtellina native is ready, 2023 was used for him to definitively take steps towards professionalism. While this beginning of 2024 was useful for having the latest certainties.
«Since the winter – he continues – I have been training for this great event. Everything was calculated to be in top condition for my first Grand Tour. We had some good preparation periods in Spain and all the races held up to now were aimed at presenting myself at my best for the Giro.”
You’ve already put 23 days of racing behind you, with an important calendar.
Real. Even in Türkiye, where I won my first professional race, I was strong. You don’t have to look at the level of the race, but the performance in general. In fact, I recorded good numbers and came away very motivated.
Then you moved on to Tirreno-Adriatico, the first WorldTour stage race.
Even then I moved well and the sensations were encouraging. The level was higher, but I maintained the performance which I had registered in Türkiye.
After Tirreno you “disappeared” for a month, until you returned to Alps, what did you do?
I’ve put a good block of work behind me together with the team in view of the Giro. We were in retreat on Teide with the aim of descending ready and with good legs. I didn’t shine at the Tour of the Alps, but that’s right. In Trentino the objective was to put the race rhythm in the legs and find the right pedal stroke in view of the finishing touches of these days.
What were the sensations like?
In all these months they have always been positive, I had no setbacks in the preparation and my leg grew day after day. I arrive ready.
The first Giro d’Italia, what emotions do you feel when racing it?
Big, actually very big. I can’t wait for the presentation of the teams, but I have no pressure on me. I’m someone who has always been used to racing peacefully and calmly, I want to do it at the Giro too.
What scares you most?
The three weeks of racing. I have never faced such long races, but we worked very well to get in shape with a lot of terrain behind us, especially on Teide.
Instead, the greatest stimulus?
Be there. It’s the dream I’ve had since I was a child so I don’t feel like I have to find any other reasons. I just want to do well.
It also passes close to your house, in the Livigno stage, which smiles at a climber like you.
Many friends, my family, my girlfriend and many other people will come to see me. I can’t wait to feel their warmth. It will be a difficult day, but I’m not hiding: the objective in this Giro is to try to aim for some stages.
Did winning at the beginning of the year give you more awareness?
Yes, but I know they are two very different races. To win at the Giro you need to go fast and also have a lot of luck. Indeed, you need to not have bad luck and remain clear-headed in crucial moments. I can learn a lot from my teammates, there are those who have already won the Giro and can give me excellent advice. We are a nice mix of young and experienced.
Now headed towards Turin?
On May 1st I will join the team there and we will get into the mood. We will start very strong with the first stage which will be very nervous, while in the second one you already go up. The arrival in Oropa could hurt many.
How does racing against great climbers like Pogacar and many others make you feel?
I’m very excited, being able to compete against runners of this caliber is a great honor, let’s hope we do well.
So good luck and see you on the roads of the Giro.
Die! And see you soon.
