Sacrifice is a runner's daily bread. There are no excuses or justifications, much less self-serving proclamations: cycling teaches us to work silently and to grind up kilometers which will then prove to be precious in due course. Ignazio Cireddu has made the cornerstone of all this and knows well that to make the leap in quality he cannot get lost in chatter: 18 years old from San Vito, registered for the Unione Ciclisti Trevigiani, Cireddu is facing his first season as an Under 23, a crucial moment for his competitive career where great satisfactions were not lacking: some examples? Definitely the second place last year at the Sardinian road championships among the Juniores behind Gabriele Pili and the victory again on the road at the “Città di Sarroch Trophy''. In 2023, as far as cyclocross is concerned, he won the Under 23s in the one-hour test at the "Arborea Bike Trophy" where he finished second overall behind Eros Piras. Completeness is one of his trademarks, as is the determination to reach new important goals, aware that ambition coupled with meticulousness will be the most significant elements to make the difference.
Cireddu let's analyze this first year among the Under 23s: how is your season going?
« I can consider myself quite satisfied, I'm expressing myself on good levels and I'm growing day after day, a very important factor for the future. Surely, the change of category can be felt, I have changed various aspects regarding training».
Besides being a runner, you are also a student.
« Exactly, I'm attending the last year of the Tourist Technical Institute in Muravera, as soon as I get my diploma I'll move to Montebelluna to devote myself totally to cycling».
Speaking of training, what changes have been introduced?
« Now I train every day and have increased the mileage. Last year, when I played among the Juniores, I did about five hundred kilometers a week while this year the average is six hundred. In addition, I do more exercises to strengthen myself, this is also an important component ».
Among the most important figures in his journey is Luca Massa, president of the Crazy Wheels Cycling Academy.
« Exactly, Luca is a very significant figure for me. He contacted me last year to become part of his team which is a seedlings of Trevigiani, a company I now race for once I've moved up to the Under 23s. Last year's season with Crazy Wheels made me given many new stimuli allowing me to race with very talented guys. Another precious figure in my journey is Paolo Slongo or my trainer: a champion in the sector who has followed a legend like Vincenzo Nibali for many years».
Who are the strongest opponents you faced on the Island?
« Definitely Gabriele Pili and Mirko Pani.
Outside of Sardinia instead?
« Undoubtedly Nicolò Arrighetti who I consider one of the most promising youngsters in Italian cycling. Among other things, I happened to challenge him right here in Sardinia at the ''Strade Sarde'', one of the toughest and most evocative events on the calendar, and I was struck by his change of pace».
What is your opinion of your two years in the Juniores?
« The Juniores category was positive for me and offered me important food for thought. I started taking my first steps in cycling around the age of six but I resumed continuously around the age of fifteen. When you become a Juniores everything starts to get more serious and you can also glimpse some relevant characteristics in view of the future. My first year in the category, in 2021, was a year of transition because I had to find the feeling with the races again while last year, thanks to the precious experience with Luca Massa's Crazy Wheels, I grew a lot both from an technical and mental".
You are a passer-climber: do you prefer stage races or one-day races?
« Absolutely stage races, I see my future there. I hope to be able to compete in the Giro del Veneto and the Giro Next Gen or the Giro d'Italia reserved for the Under 23s: they are the two most important stage races for my category and I can't wait to put myself to the test».
How is it in time trials?
« I'm feeling pretty good, for now I've only done three but I've managed to express myself as I wanted. I prefer hard and fairly long time trials, personally I start to pedal better when you go over thirty kilometers in the time trials».
Will he continue to do cyclocross as well?
« Sure, cyclo-cross races during the winter will never be lacking in my preparation. I enjoy doing them and, above all, it is good to specify that cyclocross is very useful both for the technique and for driving the vehicle, as well as giving a remarkable brilliance in pedaling».
What are the places where you love to ride the most?
« Definitely the climb of Villasalto and Campuomu: I'm an endurance runner so I love pedaling in those points where I can find selective climbs and routes».
In 2021 he participated among the Juniores for the first time in the Tricolori on the road, on July 3 in Darfo Boario Terme. What do you remember of that experience?
« I have very positive memories, it was a great emotion also because it was my very first race outside Sardinia. Of course, racing in such a context for the first time isn't easy, there are so many factors to deal with but it was a very formative experience that came in handy later».
His father Roberto has also cycled for many years. How important was that to her?
« My father was fundamental, because it is thanks to him that I became passionate about cycling. He pushed me to start, encouraging me in difficult moments and giving me lots of useful advice».
What are its points of reference?
« Above all I would say Fabio Aru: Fabio is a pride for our island, he is the demonstration that with hard work nothing is precluded. I am certainly inspired a lot by him, for me he is an example to follow. In addition to Fabio Aru, I also have great respect for a great champion such as Wout Van Aert: seeing him pedal is a show, he manages to excel on any terrain».
What does cycling represent for you?
« Cycling is everything to me, it is my greatest passion. For me, pedaling means light-heartedness and freedom, I'm lucky enough to practice a unique discipline, immersed in magnificent landscapes. My dream is to pass among the Professionals and compete with the strongest: it is an ambitious goal but with dedication and humility nothing is impossible».
