Ex-rider interview: Mario Chiesa caught with the identical supervisor his entire skilled profession and, extra importantly, his supervisor caught with him from 1988 to 1997. As ‘highway captain’ he helped to information riders like Marco Pantani, Urs Zimmermann and Claudio Chiappucci to some massive victories. Extra lately he’s been behind the steering wheel of 9 high groups. Because of Lucio Belli, Ed Hood caught up with Mario simply earlier than the 2021 season to get his story.
In January we misplaced our buddy and colleague Ed Hood, two years after his devastating stroke. We are going to always remember Ed and his data, connections within the biking world, his writing model and love for the game. Ed wrote 1000’s of beautiful articles for PEZ, so we can pay homage the ‘King of the Blackberry’ with re-runs of his nice work.
And an enormous thanks to everybody who contributed to Ed’s ‘Go Fund Me’. It made an enormous distinction to his final two years.
You may learn the PEZ-Crew’s recollections of Ed Hood HERE.
Mario Chiesa in Amstel 1988
Lucio Belli is a devoted PEZ reader, which is an enormous praise as a result of he doubts a lot of what he reads about biking within the newspapers. He’s initially from Montichiari – dwelling to the well-known velodrome – however is now residing in Polpenazze Del Garda together with his girlfriend Eleonora. One of many causes for his doubts in regards to the Media are that he lives simply 100 metres away from, and is shut mates with Mario Chiesa, a person who rode on the highest ranges within the sport for nigh on a decade beginning in six Giro d’Italia, 5 Excursions de France 4 Vueltas. Chiesa has now been in group administration for some 20 plus years – there’s little this man could be instructed in regards to the recreation of biking.
When Lucio requested us if we’d like him to interview Mario on our behalf, what may we are saying however; ‘si, si, si!’
Begin them younger
PEZ: Did you experience for the Carrera novice group earlier than you turned skilled, Mario?
Mario Chiesa: Sure, it was referred to as Carrera-Inoxpran and was the ‘satellite tv for pc’ of the professional group that was already Carrera Vagabond; a couple of riders and small workers, very a lot a household surroundings.
Which one is Mario?
PEZ: You rode a really robust Valle d’Aosta stage race in 1987, that’s a store window for the professional groups, did that seal your professional contract?
Sure, it was the victory on the Val of Aosta that was the definitive affirmation, I went properly additionally within the Bergamasca Week the place I made third on the fourth stage from Poulnikov on Saitov. Ours was a small novice group with solely 5 riders and we didn’t experience so many competitions – they needed two riders to step as much as the professional group and I used to be chosen.
with Carrera for a few years
PEZ: Carrera, an enormous group with massive personalities, it will need to have been somewhat overawing for a younger rider to hitch such a squadra?
Actually, I used to be a younger man discovering myself within the midst of so many champions, it was an amazing factor; the primary few days I used to be somewhat scared, a lot respect, however then I discovered them to be good guys.
PEZ: You remained loyal to Davide Boifava as your supervisor on your whole profession – uncommon within the sport.
Initially, the headquarters of the group was near my dwelling and within the group there was Chiappucci with whom I at all times received alongside very properly; then for me changing into a sports activities director with Boifava was the pure evolution of issues.
At first of Gent-Wevelgem 1993
PEZ: The ’88 Vuelta as a neo-pro, that will need to have been powerful?
I keep in mind that we began properly with my buddy Ettore Pastorelli profitable the primary half-stage at Santa Cruz de Tenerife and carrying the yellow jersey. However then second half-stage was instantly tough, Iñaki Gaston gained that stage with Laudlino Cubino taking the jersey, which he held proper as much as Stage 15; Sean Kelly was the ultimate total victor that yr. I wore the perfect younger jersey and tried to defend it however misplaced it within the Pyrenees as a consequence of lack of expertise. Nonetheless, I keep in mind that Vuelta with nice pleasure, and I completed it with good legs. I used to be so younger and between the Vuelta – which on the time was run within the spring – and some northern classics we have been away from dwelling for nearly two months competing in opposition to nice champions.
On the cobbles of Wevelgem’94
PEZ: The Giro in ’89, at all times particular for a younger Italian.
Sure, the Giro for an Italian is at all times an important factor. We had an excellent group, with Urs Zimmermann for the general rating, he completed sixth total – and Acacio Da Silva for stage looking; he gained Stage Two on Etna. And we gained, with Jure Pavlic, the blue jersey of the Intergiro competitors (blue jersey) however I nonetheless keep in mind the chilly I suffered from on the three peaks of Lavaredo.
Henninger Turm 1993
PEZ: Your win within the Trofeo Matteotti in ’90, your recollections?
Surprisingly sufficient I keep in mind little of Matteotti; possibly it was the stress of the race, my luck was that there have been two groups (Ariostea and Del Tongo) who have been at warfare with one another and the breakaway couldn’t get away. When lastly the breakaway began I used to be there and performed my playing cards – I used to be good but additionally fortunate.
Rominger, Chiappucci and Chiesa
PEZ: Inform us about mentoring the late Marco Pantani at Carrera.
When he grew to become knowledgeable in Carrera we instantly understood that he had an unusual engine. In uphill coaching classes he stayed with individuals just like the Russian, 1996 Giro winner, Pavel Tonkov who was one other nice expertise. Marco at the start was a really well mannered, man, shy, respectful and of few phrases. At his first Tour of Italy he was compelled to retire for a tendinitis, however the yr after in 1994 he confirmed to all what he was able to.
Main the Tour peloton
PEZ: How did you evolve into group, ‘highway captain’?
In actuality I’ve by no means felt a ‘highway captain’, extra of a devoted gregario; in fact for some younger individuals of the group I used to be seen as a highway captain, however I felt extra of a devoted gregario; strong, one who needed to be there when the captain wanted me.
PEZ: The Tour de France in ’92, how did it examine to the Vuelta and Giro?
That was my first expertise on the very highest degree, a tough Tour however with quite a lot of satisfaction, with Chiappucci’s stage win at Sestriere and our second place within the group time trial.
At first of Paris-Roubaix 1997 with Asics
PEZ: These Tour TTT’s will need to have been savage with guys like Bontempi within the squadra?
Positively wild – you mentioned it proper! Once I give it some thought I nonetheless really feel the ache in my legs.
PEZ: Your remaining season with Asics – you have been solely 31 years-old, why stop?
I began as a sports activities director in 1998 at ASICS then in ‘99 Riso Scotti. It was a selection I made seeking to the longer term. I may have continued as a rider however I most popular to look forward and begin shifting in a parallel world by getting within the automotive. Let’s say that I anticipated the occasions somewhat however I believe I made the best selection.
DS with IAM
PEZ: You moved into group administration with Riso Scotti, how tough was it to make the transition to the group automotive? The primary yr as sports activities director with Asics there was Serge Parsani (who then went to Mapei) there, he was a person of nice expertise and from whom I realized a lot, due to this fact it was simpler for me. In ASICS there have been many nice champions similar to Bartoli and Bettini; when the group wins it’s simpler for everybody to do their job, you might be calmer. The next yr with Riso Scotti and with out Parsani let’s say that I needed to handle by myself, however nonetheless I did it – all expertise.
Not simple being a DS
PEZ: You’ve managed with a couple of groups: Riso, Fasa, Tenax, Liquigas, IAM, Bahrain – your favorite and why?
I’ve had fun in all places, but when I’ve to call names I’d say Fassa, Liquigas and IAM for his or her mentality, organisation and professionalism. However I repeat, it’s not that I’ve had any specific issues with the others.
‘I’ve had fun in all places’
PEZ: How have managerial kinds modified within the time you’ve been within the sport?
Every part has modified with the World Tour; as soon as, even the large groups have been managed as a household. There was dialogue between all members of workers; right this moment in a big group every part is hermetic, all sectoral, it has grow to be much less household and extra business.
Sure, that’s Terence Hill
PEZ: Which day of your profession is most memorable?
I’ve had so many nice recollections however I’d say 1992, the primary Tour de France and the arrival on the Champs Élysées.
Nonetheless on the bike
PEZ: Trying again, something you’d do in a different way?
No, I’d do every part the identical.
With the ISEO group
PEZ: What are your plans for 2021?
To deliver a rider from my present group (ISEO RIME CARNOVALI SIAS) into the professional ranks and end within the high 3 on the Giro Bio.
Lucio and Mario
# With because of Lucio Belli and Mario Chiesa. Pictures from Mario’s assortment, if not different clever credited. #
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