The World Championships is contested in just over two months from now, October 3, in Geelong, Australia. It is a date two-time champion Paolo Bettini has marked on his calendar because it will mark his debut as Italy's sports director.
He took the role June 23 in Rome, passed down to him after his friend and ex-sports director, Franco Ballerini, died. Ballerini suffered fatal injuries in a rally car crash February 7 in Larciano, Italy. The car driven by Italian Alessandro Ciardi, co-piloted by Ballerini, strayed off course and crashed into a wall.
Bettini was only partially ready to take the role from Ballerini. Besides winning two titles and one Olympic gold, he assisted Ballerini at last year's Worlds in Mendrisio, Switzerland.
He had heard about this year's 262.7-kilometre course, starting in Melbourne and ending in Geelong, after Ballerini visited. However, he went for himself last month with cyclists Filippo Pozzato, Luca Paolini, Daniele Bennati and Giovanni Visconti.
Bettini told Italian newspaper, La Gazzetta dello Sport, his thoughts on the course and gave an update on the planning while at the GP Matteotti.
You have started down the path towards Geelong?
"The bulk of the possible team are racing elsewhere, but this [GP Matteotti] is a race that has a historical value and demanding course. Among the Italians, I saw Visconti and [Francesco] Ginanni. I did not ask them to win, but to start down a path where they can be ready in two months."
What does the schedule look like?
"The Worlds will be run a week later than usual, but for logistical reasons must be prepared on the same dates. I hope to have a clear idea [of the team] before September 10. The team has to be ready by mid-September. The 19th the riders will end the Vuelta, the 20th a team camp in Italy and the 21st leave for Australia."
The first commandment?
"The group. It has been our strength, and it will be again. Who wears the maglia azzurra, he has to know that he is part of one idea, of one project, of one mindset. You know how they call our national team? La Squadra. With a capital S."
Which means?
"Collective interests, or better still, national interests – ahead of any personal interests."
The second commandment?
"A relationship of trust and sincerity. I'll have to choose and select athletes that are going well at this moment, but over the next 20 days have to go even better. Growing, not waning. And who races the Worlds has to know if he arrives dead or doesn't have anything left."
The third commandment?
"That is entirely up to me: to find the right mix. Working men. If it was football, mid-field players. If it was boxing, sparing partners... And winning men. Men able to sprint after 260 kilometres of battle."
Does it all depend on the course and tactics?
"I have looked at it, re-looked at it, ridden it, filmed it. I am thinking about it and then thinking about it again. It is still not part of my dreams, but soon it will also be there.
"The first part, from Melbourne to Geelong, is subject to a winds, like a northern classic: Gent-Wevelgem. The second part, the circuit, breathtaking: like the Brabantse Pijl. But also a cocktail of Flanders, Gent-Wevelgem, Flèche Wallonne and Liège. Well mixed."
Who are the riders?
"This is the moment I am accepting entries and proposals. Old work horses like Marzio Bruseghin and Matteo Tosatto, but also young ones like Daniel Oss. But the names are valid only if supported by legs, head and heart."
Bennati, Paolini, Pozzato and Visconti already went with you in Australia...
"Not even they have a secure spot. And even if they went to view the course, they paid for their own tickets and out of their pockets."
Will you have an attacking or tactical team?
"It must be one that is able to change tactics. Race at first like you were Flanders and later in Varese, with the solidarity of Zolder and the happiness of Salzburg."