Firstly you need to understand a PROFFESIONAL athletes career is completely different to what you see. From the out side you see a good interpretation of what is expected. Few people see and feel the stress of contract negotiations. It was a big decision leaving my previous team, the team I helped grow to what it is today. There is no need to get into the finer detail but to shed some light, leaving was not by choice: I simply had no option.
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Fortunately I had a good season and had a few options on the cards.
There is a reason why there are only a handful of South African athletes competing in Europe. It most certainly is not sunshine and roses. There are literally thousands of cyclists fighting for that factory ride. To get this opportunity doesn't come round often!
Fulldynamix has focused on the Marathon scene for the past 4 years and now switched to World Cup XCO Olympic format. It is a family run business and you most certainly feel that as you walk through the factory doors.
It's going to be difficult to put down in words the experience I had whilst in Italy but I will try my best to give you some insight.
To be honest I was apprehensive leaving South Africa, all I had was a gentlemen's agreement on a two year deal. I felt somewhat responsible for Travis, I promised him everything would be ok and that in itself rested heavily on my shoulders.
Arriving in Italy we were welcomed by a well known marathon athlete Mauro Bettni who Is now the director sportif of the team, you could immediately sense he knew what it was like for us and made sure we felt welcome. The first words to come out his mouth" double espresso, We have a big day ahead" and smiled from ear to ear.
We headed off to the DMT shoe factory and later to the kit manufacturers. It was like a light switch turned on, now I understand why we are so far behind. Everything was systematic, they had a checklist starting from the shoes up, no short cuts taken. If the kit didn't fit perfectly they would work endlessly until we had the correct sizing and so it went on. At first I didn't understand the mentality as back home we get told what to do when to do it and how to do it and to top it off made to feel as we are privileged to be getting a bike. Here it was all about the athlete, we were there investment and In order for them to see a return everything had to be perfect.
Besides the obvious beauty of Italy, the one thing I will never forget was watching a two time winner of the Giro d'italia build my bike. The sense of bride in what he has achieved and now In the position to give back, taught me allot. He made sure we had the best of the best and nothing less, he personally built our bikes. The willingness to give will never be forgotten.
There was no ultra ego, he would eat bread from the same basket and wine from the same bottle.
The four days spent in Italy are four days I will never forget. We were welcomed into homes of complete strangers. I could go on and on but to sum it all up we were made to feel part of the family and that I respect.
Don't get me wrong we understand the responsibility and the pressure to perform is there.
I look forward to a exciting year ahead with Battaglin Family.
