“My Vision” The Prorider between racing and creativity
After 23 seasons, 13 national titles, 3 team relay world championships, a team relay European championship, two European bronze medals, a world and an Olympic bronze, countless World Cup editions and 3 Olympic Games, the Prorider has made official the turning point of his career which also includes a new collaboration with Focus Marco Aurelio Fontana has revealed his future and his farewell to competitive cross country
Mauro Cottone's interview
Marco, new year new life. And no more competitive cross country…
It is a choice made with awareness, a strong cut with the past but necessary to continue to transmit my passion. It's been a long way, this is a project that started a long time ago, first in my head and then on paper, among my notebooks, pages written and drawn over the years that today become a reality.
I'm finally at the center of my project and I can do what I think is right today.
Okay, this is what you also said at the presentation in Milan of "My Vision", I was also there and I must say that you look very good in a tuxedo ...
But I have learned that you will also ride a lot ... won't you come to skid on Elba?
Ahahahah… I can't deny that I really like the bike and also the Island of Elba. But in reality I will continue to cycle a lot. With so many types of bikes….
With so many types of bikes? This is an important news, which has surprised many people.
Yes, I think you are referring to the fact that I will be using the electric bike as well. But I'm actually going to do a lot of stuff on the bike. Joy of riding is my motto, my mood. Research, study and create contents to then share them touching many topics from educational to adventure through the racing world. Races have always attracted me in a very strong way and I certainly won't stop competing in them now, only that my focus will mainly be shifted to more gravity competitions, without neglecting my story, the cross country. I will race the E-Enduro series and I will participate in some stages of the WES and E-EWR going to develop the product and help these series grow since there are so many new things starting from the regulations
An epochal change for you. Was it the right time?
The right time is when you think the time is right. It was a while that I wanted to do new things and communicate. Last year when I crossed the finish line of the World Championship at the end of the season, exhausted but aware that I had given my all, I understood that it would be the last in the cross country. But it's not the end of a chapter, but one more step in my journey characterized by love for two wheels.
In concrete terms?
To stay close to the community, he studied Social Rides in collaboration with RedBull.com. «Sharing the bike with other riders remains fundamental. I will go in search of places, places, trails on which to cycle. Once I have found the path I like best, I will invite enthusiasts to ride together. I will touch the World of the UCI World Cup on the occasion of the Italian stage in Val di Sole, I will ride a motorcycle with Deus' friends and I will travel to the coolest and most interesting events on the bike scene and beyond ».
I knew that the bike also had to do with it! But let's face it that you will also come back to us on the Island of Elba. It is now a custom and two years that you come and visit us at the Costa dei Gabbiani Bike Center and last year we also organized the Elba Social Ride together ...
Surely that experience was one of the starting points of the new project
And I really like the idea that my Social Ride project starts right from the Costa dei Gabbiani ...
But what a path you will propose us this time.
Well it's still top secret! I have my concept, and I already have the area in mind, but I think I will ask you for some suggestions too, since you live there and do mtb riding for at least 6 months a year.
Well, in fact, Davide and I have already been running around Elba for 4 years and at Easter we will also organize our Funky Day… and you will be there with us.
Yes the Funky is something that reminds me of when I was a kid and I read magazines ...
I like the idea that I will also be among the protagonists. We will have the opportunity to ride and have fun together with you and all the fans who want to come.
Fortunately, you will also use e-bikes, because you know that it is not easy to keep up with the muscle?
The beauty of the e-bike is that it levels the values, so an amateur can share, while having fun, the same passion with a professional like me
Well said Marco, but it is clear that you can only use "echo" when climbing.
We'll see ... but strictly "boost" downhill
... Azz ... it will be fun!
