Cordiano Dagnoni is not satisfied

Cordiano Dagnoni’s words

The first multi-event world championship in cycling history ended with the women’s road race. At the end of ten intense days of competition, pedal Italy returned home with the total haul of 11 medals (2 golds, 4 silvers and 5 bronzes) and 13th place in the medal table (12th in number of medals) and, as for para-cycling, 19 medals (5 golds, 5 silvers and 9 bronzes) and 7th place in the medal table.

“These were special world championships, from a logistical point of view and with an intense program, which required a greater commitment from everyone,” President Dagnoni’s assessment. “That is why I want to thank the athletes, technicians and staff and congratulate them on how they dealt with them. Italian cycling is accustomed to being in the upper parts of the medal table, and without a doubt several medals are missing from the roll call, given the incredible collection of fourth places and placings in these World Championships. There are several causes, some contingent, such as a program that penalized some of our athletes committed on the track and who could also have been useful in the road race. We also pay for an intense and unfortunate season (I am thinking especially of the women’s road and track sector).

“Other causes are related to the chronic absence of facilities. This is a battle that we have been carrying on for some time and that prompts us to renew our appeal to the institutions so that a solution can be found quickly, especially for those facilities (such as Montichiari and Spresiano) that could be made available to the clubs quickly. I remember that facilities, not only those for track but also for BMX and off-road, allow the preparation of the high level and are strategic for basic practice, the only one that can guarantee a turnover over time. Last, but not least, is the issue of safety for those who use bicycles, which is also vital for our male and female athletes. Is it perhaps a coincidence that the countries currently leading on the road are also those with the most favorable ratio of bike lanes/inhabitants? Despite this, from an Olympic and Paralympic perspective I am optimistic. The World Championships at the end of the quadrennium have value especially looking ahead to the Games, and we are working to make sure we are ready. We have athletes who believe in our project and with whom we will prepare in the coming months a targeted program to approach the event. We also trust, from this point of view, in the collaboration of the respective teams, so that together we can find a shared path.

“We have undisputed talents such as Ganna, Balsamo, Longo, Milan, Fidanza, Consonni, Viviani … just to name a few, and young hopefuls such as Milesi, Bianchi, Predomo, Avondetto, Paccagnella and the BMX boys (today medaling and in the final) who are growing rapidly; the Paralympic sector is confirmed among the first in the world and also on the Paralympic track we are making rapid progress thanks to the work done with the tandems. I am confident.”