Winning a victory for an athlete is anything but a simple task. Reconfirming is even more so. But Marcello Guidi has solid experience on his side which allowed him, last night, to win the Italian Absolute title over the 5 km long course at the Stadio del Nuoto in Riccione, repeating last year's success.

A new Italian title for the bearer of the Fiamme Oro-Rari Nantes Cagliari who with a time of 52'20''33 imposed himself on Matteo Diodato (Livorno Aquatics), second in 52'34''68, and on Giuseppe Ilario ( Fiamme Oro) third in 52'53''46. A remarkable test of tactical intelligence for Guidi: he swims without letting himself be carried away in lane 4, next to him in lane 5 Diodato immediately presses on the accelerator and gains four seconds in the first 1500m. race they swim side by side with passage in 26'07'', then from that moment onwards Guidi gains precious seconds which increase from pool to pool, up to abundantly exceeding ten seconds, a conspicuous margin that allows him to control a stubborn Diodato who, despite an attack race, fails to excel. At the end of the race, the cross-country skier from Cagliari takes stock of his performance, without indulging in easy enthusiasm. « A gold medal is always a great joy but one must never be satisfied».

Guidi, a new Italian Absolute title on the 5 km long course after a year. Were you expecting it?

«Honestly no, the parterre was very fierce and Diodato's match fully demonstrates it. However, I set out with the goal of winning, I wanted to win the gold medal and everything went for the best».

What race was yours?

«A race in progress, I started a little slower than the others so as to carefully manage the energy available. I knew that after half the race, it would be time for me to increase the pace and so I did».

Compared to last year's victory, what differences have there been?

«They were two different victories because they were the result of two different moments in my competitive career. In 2022, I arrived at this appointment with a preparation more focused on this type of shorter races, while this year the goal is the longer races in open water, so I didn't know how my body would react».