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Enrico Gasparotto, Liquigas

10 January 2006

Il Campione Italiano

 

Enrico Gasparotto bust onto the professional cycling scene in 2005 with is second victory, a win in the Italian National Championships. That hot day in Montesilvano (Abruzzo) what huge for the Friulano, he became only the fifth Italian ever to wear the Tricolore in their first year as a pro. It is maglia well deserved for the young cyclist (23) who races with passion, and who can also relax with friends, enjoying a pizza and some home Merlot. After a winter dealing with Mononucleosis, and surfing BiciRace.com, you can expect to see Enrico Gasparotto back at the front again in 2006. Enjoy our interview as we learn more about Enrico, il campione.

Original Italian Version

Back from Mononucleosis

BiciRace.com:  Ciao Enrico. Thanks for answering our questions, even though you are sick.
Enrico Gasparotto:  Thanks to you. The Mononucleosis has passed and from tomorrow I start training again in a steady manner for the camp at Cecina Mare. [Liquigas team camp in Toscana, 12 to 21 January]
BR:  Have you visited BiciRace.com? Do you like the site?
EG:  One time I visited your website and it seemed to me to be interesting and nice.

Training in Friuli-Venezia Giulia

BR:  Thanks for the compliments. What was your first racing bike?
EG:  My first road bike was a yellow Stella Venta.
BR:  And who got you started in cycling?
EG:  I have to say that cycling is a family passion: Also my dad raced from the time he was young up through the amateur category. He would have been a good professional but he preferred cycling to be only a passion and not a profession. It is this that he also taught to me: race with passion, taking from the sport the aspects that I love the most. Naturally, victory does not have to come at all costs.
BR:  Do you train alone or with others? Who?
EG:  I don't have many training partners. I live in Friuli-Venezia Giulia where there are not a lot of cycling enthusiasts, and understand that I don't encounter anyone during training. Often I go with Cristian Murro of Tenax, though every one of us follows our own training schedule.
BR:  How many hours a day do you spend on the bike before the season?
EG:  Before the start of the season I train from two to five hours a day, complying with the training that I need to carry out.

Wearing the Tricolore

"When the main group caught the escape, 3K from the finish, I understood that the tricolore jersey would be decided by a sprint. From then on I tried to avoid mistakes and to move with fluidness, following on the heels of [Filippo] Pozzato. Then in the sprint I gave it my all and I think I won the sprint clearly." - Gasparotto after winning the championships (26 June 2005)

BR:  Who is your favorite past Italian champion? Say, for example Moser, Bugno, Cipollini, Nardello, Bartoli, Tafi, Bettini, Moreni...
EG:  Without a doubt it is Paolo Bettini that I consider a role model. I believe that I have a physical structure similar to his and I try to put forth his same determination in races.
BR:  You have won the Italian jersey, like Bettini. What is your favorite memory of winning the jersey?
EG:  I remember the most beautiful thing was the joy of my companions and of the people that have always supported me.
BR:  And now after a year and the tricolore jersey, if you could, what are one or two things you would change about professional cycling?
EG:  I have only just entered this world ... Before changing it I would like to know it better.
BR:  OK. So in the last year (2005) with Liquigas-Bianchi who are the riders have you learned the most from?
EG:  From all of my teammates I have learned a lot, there are some with lots of experience. They are very united, in particular Andrea Noè, Dario Andriotto, Stefano Garzelli and Franco Pellizotti.
BR:  Yes, those are riders with huge amounts of experience. ... And what great way to learn the trade. Which race you would most love to add to your palmarès before the end of your career?
EG:  In this order: Milano-Sanremo, Tour of Flanders and ... the world title!

Vino Fa Buon Sangue

BR:  When you are not training or racing, what do enjoy?
EG:  I like to surf the internet (I have even visited BiciRace.com!) and to pass the time with friends that are outside the world of cycling.
BR:  Nice, we are glad to here you are visiting our site! We heard that your dad, who is a former professional, makes a nice Merlot. Do you like to drink your father's Merlot?
EG:  Well Yes. We have a family production of a delicious Merlot.
BR:  What is your favorite plate of food? With or without the Merlot.
EG:  From a good Italian, I say pizza, and definitely with Merlot. "Vino fa buon sangue" [Wine makes for healthily blood] says a Friulano proverb, therefore a glass with a meal is kindly welcomed.
BR:  We agree! And do you have a favorite flavor of gelato?
EG:  Stracciatella.
BR:  Enrico, thanks for taking time out of your schedule for a BiciRace.com Interview. And good luck with the new season. Ciao!
EG:  Ciao and thanks to BiciRace.com.

Read:
Gasparotto with Mononucleosis and Pellizotti with Fracture, 2 December
Enrico Gasparotto Looks Good in Tricolore, 28 July
Enrico Gasparotto Is The New Italian National Champion, 27 June

Past Italian Road Champions: