In some ways, Ludovico Mellano seems almost predestined. Last year, despite being in his first junior season, he was one of the best in the category to the point that in his first 7 races he never left the top 10, ultimately totaling 2 victories and 26 placings. This year he is no exception, indeed with Sunday’s victory in the Giorgi Trophy (the race most awaited and desired by his team) he has already exceeded the limit of successes. Yet something was missing, something that success in the home classic could have filled.
The Cuneo area of Moretta is one of the most prominent elements of the category, the city itself Salvoldi he had indicated him as someone he was counting on not only for results, but also as a guide for the younger ones, like Bessega And Montagner and he doesn’t hold back.
«In the category there are 5-6 reference elements – he explains – we are those who have learned a lot from the last season and we try to put it to good use. The first year was fundamental for us to learn the right gar tacticsa, now those who arrived after us are following the same process.”
Are you also a classics runner?
In some ways yes, I like challenging routes, with climbs even if not too long. Uphill I hold well, then a lot depends on luck and in this first part of the year I haven’t had much…
Why?
I really wanted to do well, especially in the two Nations’ Cup races where Salvoldi called me, but in France I got a puncture in the first stage, losing more than two minutes, at which point the race was over. In Germany however, in the second stage I was going really fast, I was in the right breakaway but we took a wrong turn and the opportunity was lost.
How do you rate this first part of 2024 overall?
I had also started well, with two victories, one of which was at the Giro d’Abruzzo Juniores, but I had mainly worked to be ready for the trials with the national team and those epilogues really stuck with me. Luckily in Germany we were still able to celebrate the team victory thanks to the successes of Magagnotti and Montagnerbut I would have liked to give my contribution too.
For your characteristics, but above all for how you move during the race, according to the experts, you could be a good element for stage races. What do you think about it?
I haven’t had a clear idea about this because the races we face last up to 4 days of competition and are a bit short to understand. It’s something that will be clearer as time goes by, I think I’m still too young and above all that I still have too much to learn. We’ll see when I tackle longer races, also from a recovery point of view.
Sunday’s was a special race for your group…
Yes, the race of the year and I’m happy to have honored it as best we could. At the start we were all candidates to fight for victory, the hierarchies would have been defined by the race itself. At the beginning I wasn’t really in great shape and in fact I would have easily worked for my teammates, but then I felt better and better. On the first climb of Colle del Pasta I passed third behind my teammates Herreno And Quailthen on the descent I found myself alone and I progressively gained ground. Our teammates kept a good watch and then went on to complete our own podium. There was no better way to give satisfaction to those who follow us throughout the year.
What awaits you?
Now I’m in Grosseto for the Italian time trial championship, then another stage race, the Giro di Valdera and the tricolors in Casella, where I definitely want to do the best I can.
In the second part of the season, the title commitments in the blue jersey also arrive. Does the World Cup route suit you?
I’ve already gone to watch it and I will certainly try to be part of the game and, if necessary, be ready. First of all, it will be important to be there, to earn the trust of the city, there are many of us who can deserve the shirt. I want to be among the chosen and do the best I can.
Also because we know that you are already in the notebook of some devo team. Have you already made a choice?
No, contacts with multiple teams are underway. There are many things to evaluate, especially the fact that you will have to reconcile the activity with school and it will not be easy, even if it remains a basis for life and training at home. Going abroad doesn’t scare me, in fact it’s an idea that fascinates me, comparing myself with other cycling realities and not only that, but it’s a choice that needs to be carefully thought out. It’s clear that a good result abroad would be of help, indeed…
