Lampre-Farnese Vini climber Marco Marzano has said that he is targeting the 19th stage of next year’s Giro d’Italia, using the thoughts of that rendezvous to motivate himself during the winter months.
“In effect, the idea of mountains and climbs has been central in my mind during the winter break,” he said. “Especially this year - I've got an idea about the Mottarone climb which will be part of the course of the 19th stage of Giro d'Italia. It's my favourite climb…I hope to be protagonist there during the Pink Race [Giro d’Italia], it would be outstanding.”
Marzano is heading towards the start of his seventh season with the Lampre team, and will join up yet again with the likes of Damiano Cuengo in 2011. He’s a former winner of the Baby Giro and while he has spent many years riding in the service of others, he feels that he is ready to seize an opportunity if it presents itself.
Marzano rode both the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España this season, placing 40th in the latter, then competed in the Giro dell’Emilia, where he was 20th. After that, he was ready for a good break to recharge his batteries, and will soon get back to training.
“I spent some days abroad on holiday, so I could recover physical and mental energies. Then, I rested in a quiet way at home, dedicating myself to all the little things that during the season I usually didn't have the time to take care of.”
Of course, keeping in shape was important and so, like many other professionals, he kept moving. “I was not completely inactive, except the early days after the last race,” he said. “I pedalled on mountain bike, I walked and I swam, all in a quite way. I think that the mountain bike is especially important for improving the riding skills, and swimming is useful for relaxing muscles.”
Things are going to start winding back up again shortly, getting him ready for what he hopes will be a good season.
“In few days, I'll begin training, performing some short rides on a light pace. Then I'll step up the training in the proper time,” he said. During those kilometres of hard work, its likely that the Mottarone climb, that 19th stage of the Giro d’Italia and various other motivators will be on his mind, keeping him focussed. He’s 30 now and is at a good age to finally deliver on the potential he showed in winning that 2004 Baby Giro.