In cycling terms he doesn't yet have a name, even though Andrea Raccagni Noviero actually has three of them. He is a 22-year-old boy, just turned (last January 26th), but his name and surnames are slowly making their way into the finishing lists. A year ago he finished well, with some placements of absolute level. A 7th place in the general classification of Okolo Slovenska, plus 7th at Agostoni and 4th at Bernacchi. Now, with the season just started, the bar has been raised: a 6th place finish at Tour Down Under.

«I started as I wanted and frankly I'm very happy - explains Andrea, in his fourth year with Soudal Quick-Step: first in Development, for two years in the first team -. In the second stage I could have done better, maybe I could have even grabbed a third place behind Vine and Narvaez, but they were on another level. In any case, I'm fine with this. The condition is right and I feel I can still grow a lot».

Like Lorenzo Finn, you are also from Liguria…
«He is younger than me, we have a two-year difference, but we are both boys from Liguria. I was born in Genoa, but I grew up in Chiavari, with my sister Martina, who is seven years older than me and is a psychologist, mom Terry (Maria Teresa, ed.) and dad Mauro. Mom works as an employee in a notary office, dad is a craftsman: he's a blacksmith. He builds gates, grilles and railings, frames and locks in general, he also does automation. He doesn't make bicycles, but he restores them: he gave me my first bicycle back after fixing it up for me».

What bicycle was it?
«White, with GS Levante written on it, my first team, the one with which I did my first races from G zero at six and a half years old. Actually the first bicycle was a mountain bike, but I don't remember what brand it was. But I remember well that I was very passionate and I would scurry around the garden from morning to evening».

Did you ever help dad in his workshop?
«I tried in 2021, but I quickly understood that it wasn't my path. As they say: not my cup of tea».

You are from Chiavari but now you live in San Marino…
«Exactly».

In the building of champions: where Tiberi, Del Toro and Pellizzari lived?
«No, they were up at the top of the Rocca, I'm down».

Do you have a girlfriend?
«With Eliska, a girl from the Czech Republic. She's also athletic, she practices cross-country skiing: long distances, like the Marcialonga. We don't live together, but whenever we can she comes to me or I go to her. Eliska is a great athlete, but she's focusing a lot on her studies. She's in her third year of History, she would then like to continue in the field of art, history or journalism».

What studies did you do?
«I have a scientific diploma in applied sciences».

Were you a bookworm?
«Quite the opposite. I was part of that group that "could do more, if only they applied themselves"».

How did your passion for cycling come about?
«Just by pure chance. In my house dad has always loved car racing, rallies, as do I for that matter. In the family there were only my uncle Roberto, unfortunately who passed away too soon, and my cousin Luca who loved bicycles. They raced purely for pleasure. I went beyond that».

Other sports practiced?
«Football, water polo and running, but with poor results. On a bicycle I immediately felt at ease. The first years were amazing: either I fell or I won. Then, I stopped falling, but I started winning much, much less».

At GS Levante until the junior category, where you essentially won about thirty races, then…
«As a junior I move to Work Service directed by Matteo Berti. In two years I win six races, in the second year I become world and European champion in team pursuit on the track. Two titles, these, that open the doors of Soudal to me from Patrick Lefevere: I go to their Development and at 18 I find myself in an amazing reality, where I breathe the history of cycling».

Today your point of reference is Davide Bramati?
«Absolutely yes. It's nice to work with him, because he knows how to dialogue with athletes, even young ones like myself. There's only so much to learn from someone like him, because he has had so many high-level athletes in his hands and for me it's really a great opportunity to learn and grow».

After Australia how will your season continue?
«After a break, I should restart with the Tour of Sardinia, then Laigueglia, Strade Bianche and Catalonia. Then, maybe, Amstel and Liège: which for me would be the maximum».

Seventy kilos distributed over a physique of one hundred eighty-five centimeters…
«Actually a year ago I weighed 76/80 kg. I've always eaten perhaps a bit too much, so I followed the advice of our nutritionist and managed to get down to 70: it changed my life».

What hunger that must be…
«Don't even mention it, I'm an absolute sweet tooth. One of my pleasures is eating. Eliska is also very good in the kitchen, but I have to behave».

What kind of rider do you think you are?
«For now I can defend myself on all terrains. Good at time trials, not bad in sprints: I have a good kick. The harder the race, the more I manage to emerge. I've always done sprints, even as the last man for Paul Magnier».

When you're not racing, what do you love to do?
«I rest, I spend time with my family, my girlfriend and my friends. My hobby is watching motorsport. The dream? One day to race the Sanremo and Monte Carlo rallies. I can't now. And then I waste time with my phone: I inform myself, I read, I watch videos and I play…».

Playstation?
«Never had one, although during the Covid period I played on the computer».

Motorcycles?
«I liked them but now they scare me too much».

A cyclist you've always loved?
«Two: first Alberto Contador, then Julian Alaphilippe: Loulou immense, I really adored him as a cyclist».

Music?
«I listen to everything, generally American music, from pop to rap. But also Jovanotti: it gives energy, rhythm. Perfect for training».

What language do you speak with your girlfriend?
«English».

Where did you meet?
«I participate in the Corsa della Pace, she is on the roadside with her friends in a tent. She sees me pass and notices me. She goes to look for the finishing order, discovers that I arrived in the top ten and writes to me on Instagram: she starts following me. At some point it's me who starts writing to her. I get to tell her: if I win the Italian time trial title I'll come to Livigno to find you. She, in fact, was on a retreat there with her cross-country skiing team. I win the Italian in Grosseto and I run to Livigno: there one thing led to another…».

Would you be satisfied if this year you managed to…
«Win something, but in any case I would like to make myself seen, climb the performance ranking. It would be nice to win a stage at the Giro, the one in Chiavari would be the top, but maybe that's asking too much: and I ask myself that».

from tuttoBICI of February