Filippo Colombo spent up to 20 hours a week on the rollers mounted in his garage with a special protection on his left elbow following a disastrous fall on the cobbled stretch of the Arenberg forest, in a Paris-Roubaix, which was to establish him as a cycling phenomenon on the road, as well as a champion in mountain biking. Filippo Colombo, 25 years old, has also lost the chance to compete in the World Cup last August in Scotland and his mind is already turned to the 2024 Paris Olympics, which he absolutely doesn't want to miss. «In these difficult moments, in which my girlfriend Carlotta and my parents Andrea and Lorenza have always been close to me, I have learned to appreciate the unpredictability of sport and life. Even a day of bad weather always reserves a ray of sunshine, a cyclist's main ally." The newfound health after three months of nebulous navigation is the Columbus' new America.
The world of world cycling was apprehensive about your crash at Paris-Roubaix 2023 and even today the television images of that Sunday 9 April evoke a sense of dismay. How's your elbow?
«Definitely better, the multiple fracture was complicated and painful. I've been working hard to get back into training, because I want to qualify for next year's Olympics in Paris. It's a real feat, because my two direct opponents for the only two available places are called Nino Schurter and Mathias Flückiger, but this journey to overcome the injury will help me achieve the extraordinary goal of the Games."
What exactly happened in the fearsome stretch of cobbled Arenberg Forest?
«I have gone over and over the accident in my mind: I have no reproaches for anyone. I found myself on the ground at high speed without having time to react. It is the reality of us cyclists in a risky discipline, in which we are sometimes faced with extreme situations, as was the case of Gino Mäder in the descent of the Albula last 15 June at the Tour de Suisse, in which he lost his life 25 years old, the same age as me. For this reason I can consider myself lucky, today I am back in the saddle enjoying the emotions that this formidable sport gives me every day which now more than before I can fully appreciate."
Thanks to special protection you were back in the saddle, even if it wasn't enough to be called up by Swiss Cycling among the 130 athletes who took part in the various disciplines of the Cycling World Championships in Glasgow last August...
«I tried in every way to do it, I spent hours and hours in the garage pedaling on the rollers even when my movements were conditioned by the delicate operation I underwent on Easter Monday. They were intense months not only on a sporting level, in which I allowed myself those things that I usually can't do. I read, I watched some movies and above all I spent time with my friends. I knew that mountain biking would put more strain on my elbow, especially downhill, and I calmly accepted Swiss Cycling's decision to focus on more physically ready national team teammates. The many messages of support, including those from my idols Nino Schurter and Vincenzo Nibali, have a special value for me and are the best encouragement for future international goals."
Even riding the traditional bike, with the Q36.5 jersey, you demonstrated your ability, particularly in the northern classics. Your escape at this year's Tour of Flanders was epic, where you remained with eight companions for 160 kilometres...
«There were only 35 to go and at a certain point we hoped for it. The team was very happy with my performance, in cycling the visibility of sponsors is achieved precisely with these attempts. In Belgium there is a beautiful culture of our sport, the streets were packed with fans who cheered us on with great enthusiasm. An experience I will never forget."
Where does this ability to run both on the road and on a mountain bike come from?
«From the great passion I have for two wheels. For me it is essential to open myself up to a world that has always fascinated me, even if I see my sporting life as firmly linked to MBT. It was a stimulating alternative, I proved to myself that I can pedal in a group at a very fast pace, despite the fact that in my specialty technique remains fundamental and must always be trained, amidst the pitfalls uphill and especially downhill, the result of targeted training" .
What is the motivation that drives you to get on the saddle every day to cover kilometers and kilometers?
«Having fun, both in training and especially in the race. In every sport there is a fun component, otherwise what sport would it be? I make sure to optimize everything that can be optimized, without letting myself be influenced by what cannot be influenced, such as weather conditions. I believe that the results in the competition are only the consequence of the commitment in the training sessions. It is therefore essential to be aware of the work done during the preparation to be calm on the day of the race, taking care of the aspect of correct nutrition down to the smallest details."
What do you like to do besides cycling?
«I finished my economics studies at the USI in Lugano, and I don't rule out doing the Master's too. I love the mountains, walking in upper Ticino in the summer and seal skins in the winter in Valle Bedretto. I am particularly interested in all snow sports, we have a family apartment in the Engadine, which I often share with my brothers Matteo (29-year-old civil engineer) and Elia (27), who is actually a windsurfing specialist."
You grew up in the local reality of the Velo Club Monte Tamaro and today you train with the legends Nibali, Aru and Ulissi...
«Many people dear to me have helped me in this growth and I want to dedicate every result to them too. In particular to Daniele Zucconi, who took me to the races when I was still a boy. These are true enthusiasts, who clock up kilometers in the car for the pleasure of seeing you happy pedaling in the group, the people who do good for the sport and especially for young people."
Lugano was waiting for Filippo Colombo as early as 1996
When Museeuw took off, practically kept covered and launched by an Italy "that didn't love itself", as the great beaten Gianni Bugno defined it, only the home idol Mauro Gianetti managed to keep up with him. And now it was too late to go and get them. It happened at the World Championships in Lugano, which was run on a rough route, with the "little climb" of the Crespera (not even 2 km at 7.8% average gradient) which was the toughest asperity, in addition to the "Diavola" which climbed from Cornaredo towards Comano.
It was the World Championship of Rocco Cattaneo's touching embrace of his great friend Mauro who came close to winning the world title in the history of cycling for the Red Cross colours, the fourth ever since 1927. It was a Sunday in mid-October, the 13th, and Filippo Colombo, a phenomenon Ticino mountain biker, nephew of the immense Rocco, brother of his mother Lorenza, would be born only a year later, still in Lugano, on 20 December 1997. «Gianetti's exploits – smiles the biker from Bironico – were certainly a source of inspired by my passion for two wheels, my parents' stories fascinated me. In our house, cycling has always thrilled us."
Twice world champion in the cross country team relay of Cairnas 2017 and Lenzerheide 2018, and silver medal in the cross country short track at the 2022 World Championships in Les Gets, Filippo Colombo aims to become the first cyclist to give a world title to Ticino: «It would be a dream…».
