10 Apr Interview with Niki Giussani for InBici
Learn a little more about our ISB Sport ambassador, Niki Giussani, the experienced Italian cyclist born in February 1976 in Erba (Lombardy).
In an interview he gave to the Italian cycling magazine InBici, these are some of the answers Giussani gave, to get to know him a little more and get closer to his beginnings, his experiences, routines etc.
How did you approach two-wheeled pedals?
I have to thank a compatriot, Carlo Ferrari, who as a great cycling fan, seeing me pedal at age 6, gave me my first bike. And I haven’t stopped since.
How old is the first race? And the first victory?
I did the whole process from the Giovanissimi and, little by little, in all the higher categories to amateurism. Then, that lost transition to professionalism that is still my biggest regret today, but not for me.
Inmediatamente gané la tercera carrera de la temporada en el Giovanissimi, pero en general, no he ganado mucho en mi carrera. Lamentablemente nunca he sido rápido.
What are your technical characteristics?
I have always been considered a walker-climber.
What was the most important year of your career?
Surely the biennium 2000-2001 in which I got many, perhaps too many positions, without being able to win the race that would have opened the door to professionalism.
However, I remember that I was leading the Giro del Friuli until the last stage, finally won by Raffle Ferrara, 10th in the Giro d’Italia classification, in which I obtained an excellent third place in a stage and several positions, as well as having touched the pink jersey for several stages.Despite everything, you have never abandoned cycling. What does riding a bike mean to you?
What does riding a bike mean to you?
I’ve never really stopped racing, because for me running is passion, competition and freedom, even towards a vehicle that, for better or worse, has represented my life and to which I owe so much.
What is your typical weekly routine?
Monday unloading, Tuesday 80 km, Wednesday 100 km, Thursday unloading, Friday 50 km, Saturday unloading, Sunday race.
And on the other hand, I do not follow preparation tables, because I consider that the amateur level is high.