Interview Asia Zontone
Every start of the season offers it's bigger and smaller revelations. This year, Asia Zontone is one of them. In her last year as U23, she set some big steps forward on the international level. She's 21 years old and more ambitious then ever before. After podium spots in the Baque country she finished among the best U23 riders on the World Cups and the Euros. She's one of the young Italian cyclocross riders to keep in mind for the coming years and you'll also occassionaly spot her on the road. Get to know her already a bit better before through this interview.
2022 has been a year with a very varried year for you with races on the highest and a lower level. How did you experience this year?
it has been a year with a lot of competitions, I have never participated in so many competitions in a single season as in this summer. this year I wanted things to go well, I changed my trainer but above all I changed my mentality. I tried to be an athlete seriously, and I grew up significantly.
The cyclocross season is still young but your performances have already been remarkably better then last season. How do you experience the first part of your season?
I wanted to start cyclo-cross in the best possible way, to be ready for the European championship. the start of the season was positive, but the season is still long and I still have to improve
What are your ambitions for this Winter?
I'm a very ambitious person, but this winter I want to enjoy my last year as an under23 and grow as an athlete. I would like to become more competitive internationally.
The Italian women are stronger then ever before in cycling. Is there an explanation for it or it's just a coincidence?
It's true, Italian women are currently among the strongest in the world in cycling. I don't think it's a coincidence, I think that preparation is evolving, and that the space that Italy is giving to women's cycling is part of these results.
How do you deal with the cold? Do you handle it well by nature or do you make special prepartions?
in my country it's really cold in winter, but I don't particularly suffer from it. I usually prefer the cold to the heat, because I suffer a lot from high temperatures. This year though I haven't had any issues with that either.
Where will we see you racing this Winter?
the winter season has already started with international competitions with the Italian national cyclo-cross team, but I haven't competed in Italy yet. I will compete in my first competition in Italy on November 26th in Genoa with my team: the JAM'S bike team Buja.
Do you also like to watch races on TV or do you rather just focus on your own races?
it depends: I watch cyclo-cross races a lot, I like to see how the strongest in the world interpret the courses; while of road races I only look at the last kilometres, in the summer I already spend many hours on the bike, I need to detach my mind...
What are your ambitions on the road?
meanwhile I focus on cyclocross. I definitely want to use my last year as an under23 to grow further. I still have a lot to learn on the road, this was only my second year in this discipline, but I managed to get a lot of satisfaction, I just hope to improve as much as possible
