Walter VERNAZZA is president of the Genoa MTB school BAD RIDER: "Together with the instructors who are part of the company we hold lessons every week putting passion and commitment, trying to teach, in the best possible way, all the secrets and techniques of mountain biking to our students. "
Hi Walter, you lead a team and a mtb school, how did the idea for this activity come about?
Just the Downhill and Enduro for the charm they convey, made us decide to create a real team that participates in official competitions in the various Italian circuits. Thanks to the support and encouragement of BIKE O'CLOCK, the historic store in Genoa, we created the Dh section in the TEAM BIKE O'CLOCK/BAD RIDER and in the first year we managed to obtain encouraging placements up to 2022, a special year that has led to numerous titles:
- 1st place EWT Sestri Levante CAT Front VERARDO ANDREA
- 3rd place EWT Sestri Levante CAT Allievi CANOVARO Ettore
- 2nd place EWT Sestri Levante CAT Esordienti MORINI Marco
- Italian Champion Dh CAT M1 Sestriere ROBELLO Federico
- 1st place Italian Cup Dh CAT M1 complete circuit ROBELLO Federico
- 1st place Italian Cup Dh Absolute complete circuit ROBELLO Federico
- 1st place Italian Cup Dh Students complete circuit CANOVARO Ettore
- 2nd Classified Italian Cup Dh CAT Elite complete circuit GAMENARA Andrea
- 3rd Classified Italian Cup Dh CAT Beginners complete circuit MORINI Marco
Your team in 2022 attended the DH circuit a lot, for the 2023 season will you always continue in this direction or will you try to be more present also in the enduro?
Next year, in addition to participating in the Italian and European DH circuit - trying to improve ourselves - we will be present in various enduro competitions.
How do you structure your training during the season?
We take care of training in the various top locations of Liguria: Sanremo, Finale Ligure, Diano Marina Beigua and Sestri Levante, ending with the athletic part, during the week, in the gym.
Last season was a success! What was it like getting so much satisfaction from your pupils?
Every lesson, every race we participate in, together with our kids, teaches us something. The passion and tenacity they put into every single ride, from the smallest to the largest, is a source of pride. For us instructors, seeing a boy who grew up in our school and now being part of our team is a unique emotion!
What are the prospects for next season?
We are already planning the MTB courses and the 2023 racing season, trying to improve ourselves.
I thank everyone for the immense support: Roberto MINAFRA president of the Team, Christian Andrea of BIKE O CLOCK, my super instructors and my super students. Thank you if all this has been possible.
We wish Walter and his students a 2023 full of satisfactions!
