Piganzoli: “So far I’ve achieved all my seasonal goals, what great days on Tahtali and Mottolino!”
The image of his raised arms at the top of mount Tahtali and his happily exhausted expression has become the symbol of Team Polti Kometa. The talent of Davide Piganzoli began to shine during that triumphant Tour of Antalya in February and won the admiration of the public three months later in a Giro d’Italia where he finished in 13th place, the best GC ever at the ”corsa rosa” for the ProTeam of Ivan Basso and the Contador brothers.
“The balance of the first major part of the season is very positive — says the 22-year-old from the Valtellina — because I’m fully achieving the goals I set for myself in winter: to be a protagonist in lower-category events and then to compete well in the Giro in May. Achieving all of this is encouraging.”
Then Piganzoli had to stop due to two close falls on his right knee, the first in training and the second on the Tour of Slovenia’s opening day. Nothing too serious, but he missed the Italian championships, which would have been a particularly significant test as he would have also competed in the ITT. “It would have been part of my improvement process in the time trials, crucial for becoming a complete rider. This year, indeed, I train with the TT bicycle at least once a week. Unfortunately the first fall in June happened on this bike, but these are the misfortunes that happen in cycling.”
The important thing is to have recovered, with the help of the training camp held in his region. “I admit that taking a break was needed, not only physically but also mentally, and it was nice to recharge the batteries in Bormio and its surroundings: roads that I know and love, tackled together with my teammates with whom there’s a fantastic atmosphere!”
But there wasn’t just the mountain in Davide’s July: living in the Republic of San Marino, he also managed to go to the sea on the nearby Romagna Riviera, bringing along his loved ones. And what’s now in his calendar? “For sure, my return to racing will be from August 5 to 9 at the Vuelta a Burgos, where moreover there will be an ITT on the penultimate day; after that race, I’ll go to altitude in Livigno to prepare for the concluding classics. I think I’ll have a similar end of the season to 2023: Toscana, Matteotti, Emilia, Lombardia…”
Speaking of future scenarios, Davide Piganzoli reveals what has been the most exciting climb he has ever done and the one he dreams of: “In the past, in the recent past, I’d say the Mottolino in the Giro, both for the climb itself and because it was the queen stage and it took place in my Valtellina with a lot of enthusiasm around me; in the future, I’d love to climb the Galibier and some other legendary French uphills.” On the French Alps, this young athlete from Polti Kometa made a name for himself last year with the Italian National U23 team, when at the Tour de l’Avenir he grabbed the podium at the Col de la Loze.
Finally, we ask for his opinion on the team’s technical suppliers. “We are generally very well equipped, from AURUM bikes to supplements. If I had to make a particular mention, Kask helmets are really among the best around.”
After this gallery with photos by Sprint Cycling Agency, here’s a quick series of questions to get to know Piga (as everyone calls him) better:
The first time on a bicycle?
“I learned to ride at 8-9 years old, but I got on a racing bike at 11 when I first tried cycling in the square in my hometown, Morbegno”
What did you study?
“A technical school in electronics in Sondrio, the main city of Valtellina”
Did you practice other sports besides cycling as a kid?
“I previously did athletics, basketball, football: I was quite undecided, but then I made the right choice”
Do you follow other sports? (If yes, which athlete or team do you support?)
“I’m a FC Inter fan, but actually I mostly watch cycling and a bit of skiing”
Favorite music genre?
“I like to vary between genres and nationalities of songs and singers, but during training I listen to a lot of Spanish music:it’s very popular in the squad”
Favorite film and TV series?
“I also like to vary here”
Your most particular passion or hobby?
“The mountains (even on foot)”
