the interview
MONTEBELLUNA
He has just won the European Juniores of the chase in Apeldoorn, from Thursday he will wear the blue at the Peace Race in the Czech Republic. European and World Road Championships will follow. Then, from 2022, the landing in Zalf. Samuele Bonetto, an 18-year-old from Montebelluna from Giorgione, is the new hope of Treviso cycling with a view of Paris 2024. Talent also capable of a very powerful message on the tragedy of anorexia.
Samuele, what if we called her “baby Ganna”?
«Philip is my idol, I am inspired by him. But I don’t think it’s appropriate to associate his name with mine: a lot of water has to pass under the bridge. I enjoyed the Olympic gold of the quartet live, I was in retreat with the national team in Montichiari: I imagined I could be there one day too. Now I’ll try to work on the team pursuit: Jonathan Milan won gold in Tokyo at 20. I will be 21 in Paris ’24: why not believe it? ».
When was she born a passion for cycling?
“I was 15, it was a dark period in my life. Dad took me for a mountain bike ride on Montello: love at first sight, I fell in love with the bike. I have not gone down since that day. Baptism in the category Students ».
Why “dark period”?
“Between the end of the eighth grade and the first year of high school, I suffered from a severe form of anorexia. My parents have tried them all: there was no psychologist who cared, there was nothing that had an effect. As a last resort, dad (Fabiano ed) tried the bike. And the trip to Montello saved my life. That time I made a deal with him: if I forced myself to eat more, he would accompany me back. I never gave up the bike, anorexia has become a distant memory. Yes, cycling saved my life ».
Do you feel like sending a message?
«Sport helps in difficult moments. In any case, identifying a path, cultivating a passion is decisive for emerging from the abyss. If my father hadn’t made me fall in love with the bike that day, I probably wouldn’t be here today. Anorexia is a devious disease, the risk is to notice it when it is late. The family plays a fundamental role, it gave me a big hand. But it is a battle that is won alone. And I did it, thanks to the bike ».
The first run?
«In Savassa, in the Valcavasia jersey. In the transfer section, I was already detached: I stayed 10 meters behind the group, I was afraid to throw myself in. But then I unlocked myself, going on the run ».
The first victory?
«In the second year, Regional Allievi in Follina. A month later the Tricolore arrived online: the turning point. I closed 2019 with six successes, including the Italian team time trial ».
We come to today, a second year junior to scream: were you expecting it?
“Absolutely not, I didn’t think a leap in quality like this was possible. At time trial I was doing pretty well, but I didn’t dominate. Yet at the beginning of the year I won in San Benedetto, the same route as the Tyrrhenian of the professionals: beautiful. And then I also hit the Tricolore. The time trial amuses me: you are alone like in the swimming that I practiced as a child. But I consider myself a walker-climber: in 2021 I won a tough stage of the Giro del Friuli ».
Track chapter: the sensations a few hours from the title? «The most beautiful emotion of my life, the cheering of my teammates is fantastic. The good thing is that the European Championship was my very first race on the track… Diesse Parolisi and Città Villa had to fight a hard battle to convince me. I didn’t want to know about the velodromes, the first time in April: I was stiff as a rod, a deadly fear. Yet, with only six training sessions, I took the European Championship. In the presence of specialized opponents. But, after all, the chase is like the time trial. And I like it. However, it’s all incredible. I had gone quietly to Apeldoorn to gain experience. And I came back as a winner ».
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