The first time is never forgotten. For Gabriele Pili, the call-up for an internship with the blue jersey of the Junior national team of cyclo-cross will be unforgettable.
The 17-year-old from Capoterra, who rides for the Crazy Wheels Cycling Academy (a company of Oristano origin, in close connection with the UC Trevigiani), stood out this year with good results in Follonica (4th in a round of the Giro of Italy Cyclocross), Piacenza, Florence, more than with the less striking regional victories.
His call revives a Sardinian tradition in the cross of the Juniores category that was born in the late eighties with Walter Uccheddu, Dino Moi, then Giancarlo Saiu and of course Fabio Aru. Now the goal is to earn Pontoni's trust and permanently join the group from which the Azzurrini will be chosen for the World Cup in Hoogerheide (in Holland) on 4-5 February. The first opportunity will be on Sunday in the Jesolo race, but for the Immacolata Pili will also race in Faè di Oderzo.
