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Charly Wegelius, Liquigas-Bianchi

11 April 2005

Giro Bound for Garzelli and Cioni

 

Charly Wegelius is the go-to climber for Garzelli and Cioni. This year you will see Charly leading the Liquigas-Bianchi climbers over the highest passes from the South, to the North of Italy in the Giro d'Italia. Charly has been with some of the best setups in cycling from Mapei, Colpack, and now Liquigas-Bianchi. Read the interview below to find out what BiciRace.com learned from Charly.

Building to the Giro

BiciRace.com:  Ciao Charly. Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Tell the BiciRace.com readers how the training is going so far this year?
Charly Wegelius:  Good, I started the season with a month long training camp in Mexico with the team, and I feel that it has given me a really solid base for the season. Since we came down [from altitude] my recovery is excellent and I feel that my condition is very steady, without the ups and downs I have had in the past. That is also probably due a little more experience with every year that passes I am learning to understand when to push on and when to rest a little.
BR:  What goals are you building up to?
CW:  My main race this year is the Tour of Italy. The Tour de France has been spoken about, but it depends how I am after the Giro, and at the moment all I am thinking about is doing my best for May.
BR:  How was your Giro d'Italia last year?
CW:  Last year's Giro was very good for me. We got Honchar into second place in Milan which was an exploit for us, and the support work I did in the mountains brought me to a lot of people's attention. I hope to be at the Giro this year.... but to win it!
BR:  Will you be happy to help your friends Garzelli or Cioni to the top step?
CW:  I will be at the Giro for the sole purpose of supporting these two riders, which is a pleasure for me because they are both friends of mine as well as being genuine contenders for the win. I think that the team spirit we have at Liquigas-Bianchi will be one of our strongest points during the race
BR:  Have you ever ridden the Stelvio?
CW:  I have ridden the Stelvio many times because we used to go to the top of the mountain on altitude training camps at Mapei. It is a very hard climb, and given the high altitude at the top can cause spectacular explosions if things go wrong.
BR:  What is the coolest climb in Italy? Hardest?
CW:  I think the Mortirolo is one of the most famous climbs, and is a very special place to race. There are thousands of fans and it is a special stage. It is also extremely hard! The Zoncolan was also very hard, but probably lacks the history of the Mortirolo.

A Cold Paris-Nice

BR:  Paris-Nice was cold this year. Can you explain to BiciRace.com how cold it was for you?
CW:  Pretty cold, minus 2 at some points. Bike racing is also about racing in bad weather, and it is the same for everyone. That said, I suffer the cold, much more than the heat, so it wasn't much fun for me.
BR:  How was climbing up Mont Faron? That road is narrow.
CW:  Yes, the road is narrow, but by that point in the race there has already been a selection and there aren't too many people left. What is bad is the descent just before the Faron. It's narrow and twisty, with a big drop if you mess up. We went down flat out at Paris Nice, and I was in a bit of bother!

Coppi, Colnago, Bianchi

BR:  You have used some nice bikes in the recent years, Colnago, Coppi, and now Bianchi. Now with Liquigas-Bianchi you have a top notch team with a top notch setup. You are on a Campy-Bianchi setup, is that a nice combo for you?
CW:  I am very happy with the bikes. I haven't used Campagnolo since 1997, but I think its great. The brake levers are good for my little hands, and the Bora wheels are super. I am riding an all aluminum bike which is very good for a light rider like me. More than anything, the staff of Bianchi have impressed me. They are very keen to collaborate with the riders and listen to our suggestions. That is good because, we get a better product, but so does the guy on the street who buys a Bianchi. Despite all the history behind the company, they are very keen to move forward and improve.
BR:  Current bike sponsors not included, what was your favorite bike?
CW:  Apart from Bianchi, I was really pleased with the bikes Terry Dolan made for me when I was an amateur and Junior. He is very precise and his bikes are always top quality.
BR:  Have you got to keep any of the bikes?
CW:  No, I think we can buy them at the end of the season, but to be honest, buying bikes is the last thing on my mind at the end of the season!!
BR:  As far as what you are using now, what are your favorite pieces of equipment?
CW:  We have new Polar computer/HR monitors, which are superb. Also, my Fiz;ik saddle is the best I have ever used, its like an armchair!

Training Partners

BR:  Are you still living and training in Varese? That's a nice area with plenty of green areas.
CW:  Yes, I have lived in this area since I came to Italy and don't plan on changing. For training it is good, the airport is close, but most of all, the people are fantastic! They treat me like one of theirs!!
BR:  How is the riding in Varese? Do you get in some good training rides with the number of pros in that area? (Nardello, Garzelli, Basso, ... those have to be good rides!)
CW:  We have a really good group of riders here, and we are quite well organized. Everybody participates and it makes for good quality training. Usually we leave here with Rogers, Andriotto, Zanini and Mason and go towards Varese where we meet the 'Swiss' guys Nardello, Freire and Evans. It's not unusual to see 15 pros training together, it's great.
BR:  Parli in Italiano con loro? Sempre?
CW:  Per forza, loro non parlano una parola di inglese!
BR:  Tell BiciRace.com, where is your favorite vacation spot in Italy?
CW:  Last summer during the Tour I went to a friend's house in Liguria, near Imperia. That was just nice!

Italian Food...Is That American You Are Speaking?

BR:  Now, BiciRace.com is based in Italy, not far from you, and it's hard to stay away from the pasticcerias. How do you do it?
CW:  I don't! I'm skinny as it is, and life is too short for diets!
BR:  Have you tried the chocolate and pear torta! Ahhhh. So good.
CW:  Italy is a good place if you like eating.... I could go on all day.
BR:  And in the other direction ... with the sponsorship last year could you just walk into a McDonalds and demand food for free? Ever try?
CW:  The team gave us booklets of tokens for the restaurants, but I gave them to my friends and neighbors ... That made them happy!
BR:  What is your favorite Italian food?
CW:  That's a hard one! I'm a bit spoiled for choice, but I'd have to go for Pizzocheri, it's a speciality from the Valtellina area in the mountains. Its the best!
BR:  Caffè before or after the ride? Or both?
CW:  I usually have one made by Zanini before we leave and then a pick me up half way round our ride. I try not to exaggerate!!
BR:  Do you spin in all the sugar like mad and then slam it, like the Italians?
CW:  Well, you need a bit of sugar, and Italian coffee is so small, there isn't much you can do to make it last, so you end up 'slamming' it, as you say. Is that American you are speaking?!!!
BR:  Yes, I guess I still use the American lingo. OK, Charly, thanks for joining BiciRace.com in an interview. We look forward to seeing you in the upcoming Vuelta a Aragón and Giro Trentino.
CW:  Thanks very much! Go easy on the coffee!

Be sure to check the website of Charly Wegelius.