An interview with Roberto Reverberi, team manager for Team Bardiani-CSF
Warsaw, 17 March, 2016 – Team Bardiani – CSF is one of the Professional-Continental formations that received a Wild Card invitation to the 2016 Tour de Pologne – UCI World Tour, which is scheduled from July 12th to the 18th. The Italian squad led by Team Manager Roberto Reverberi definitely stands out for its combativeness and for the results they have obtained over the past few seasons in all their competitions, including the Giro d’Italia.
How is this first part of the 2016 season going for your team?
The 2016 impact has been positive. We’ve changed a few aspects of our preparation, especially since Zanatta arrived, and for our standards we’ve obtained some encouraging results. Colbrelli’s victory in Lugano was the most evident result of this approach; now we’re waiting for spring and then the Giro, where we intend to consolidate our strategy.
You have already received some important invites for various World Tour races this season; what role will the Tour de Pologne play in the framework of the team’s 2016 schedule?
Oh, it is first and foremost, absolutely. World Tour events are definitely the most important, because we get the chance to measure ourselves against cycling’s Elite. We received invitations for the Classics and for the Giro, which will determine our spring. The Tour di Pologne will be our main summer event. We intend to honour the invitation by showing up with the best equipped formation, and in the best shape ever.
What is your opinion of the Tour de Pologne and the Polish cycling movement in general?
We’ve always kept a keen eye on this race, for its energy, for the routes and for the excellent organization. It’s a race that has grown throughout the years along with the Polish cycling movement. The cycling profile in this country is definitely expanding. Over the last several years our team philosophy has been to maintain an entirely Italian personnel; however I must admit that, if we should choose to “open” up to foreign riders, Poland would be the perfect place to seek out new talent.
The Tour de Pologne route hasn’t been officially revealed yet, but in your opinion, on what terrain do you think your riders can best express themselves here in Poland?
If the Tour de Pologne remains true to its reputation as a complete race, we can figure well almost every day. We are an attacking team and the Polish routes are as perfect for breaks as they are for “finisseur” arrivals.
There are still several months to go until the big date with the Tour de Pologne; however, have you worked out which riders in your ranks could be most suited to this race, or in any case, who are the most important men you can use to build a squadron for Poland?
Yes, in the schedules drawn up in the beginning of the year, we kept in mind the importance of the Tour de Pologne, and this why we would like to be at the start with our main men, especially Colbrelli. Bongiorno could be our point man for climbing arrivals and Boem will be the man when it comes to attacks for the breaks. However, as I said, we will definitely consider physical conditions as well as the riders’ importance. Performances in the following months will help us to better determine the definitive formation.
Besides participating, what is your main goal for the 2016 Tour de Pologne?
We are aware that in the starting line-up we are going to meet teams featuring remarkable champions, but we don’t shirk from confrontation, and a stage victory would be a fantastic result. I always ask the guys to do their best, to always try, even with faraway breaks which may seem impossible on paper. For us, honouring the race means attacking, fighting, and perhaps this is the main goal.
