BiciRace.com :: Marco Pinotti

7 July, MTB on Plan de Corones

Marco Pinotti, Saunier Duval-Prodir

7 July 2006

MTB on Plan de Corones

Pinotti races to 3rd in Giro Pontedera TT, photo: Makoto.Ayano/ CyclingTime.com

Hi BiciRace,

I watched the prologue and the first two stages of the Tour de France while I was resting in the mountain in San Vigilio di Marebbe, in the same hotel where the team stayed after the stage finish on Passo Furcia. I rested for four days and went with a mountain bike to see the finish of Plan de Corones. I rode it two times in order to be ready next year in case they are going to do that stage again. It's really hard, especially the final kilometer, with a lot of gravel.

I passed four beautiful days of relaxation on the mountain but I had to come back to start the training camp with national Under 23 track team, which is training for the European Championships in Athens. I have been called by Callari [Sandro Callari, Track DS for the FCI] to train specifically on the track in order to be ready for the Italian Championship on 24 July, and to improve my skills both in the pursuit and time trial.

So here I am in Padova, again training twice a day. We start at 8.30 in the morning and go until 12.30, have lunch, and then train again from 16.30 to 19.00 on the track. That's why I cannot follow the finish of the Tour de France stages.

Anyway it is a classic Tour, with no-hope breaks and dramatic sprints. After the sad story about Basso and Ulrich, my number 1 favorite is No-fuss Landis. By the way, I am waiting the award for the Giro stage in Pontedera... :)

I will be here until 15 July, nine hard days with these young guys. I am enjoying this experience! After that I will reconnoiter Salzburg TT circuit on 17 July, in order to mentally prepare for the eventual Worlds.

Write you soon.
ciao!
Marco

Marco Pinotti's website.