Like a “University of Cycling”

An exchange of ideas on track cycling.

Liam Bertazzo, Christian Grasmann and Marco Villa in conversation

As a UCI Continental road team, the Pushbikers had made an effort to reflect on the experiences of the current season early on and also to define expanded possibilities and goals for the team via new faces. All the riders had already been introduced in November 2022. And now we have decided to take a special step. A “late appointment”, so to speak, but one that is rooted in the history of this team, in the deep passion for track cycling, and also creates a local connection to the world elite of track cycling this summer.

Liam, welcome to the Pushbikers! Could you introduce yourself shortly?

Hello, I’m Liam Bertazzo, born in 1992 in Este, in the Italian province of Padua. I’ve been racing bikes since I was twelve years old and I’ve been a professional since 2015. I love both the road and the track, which I have particularly enjoyed in my career.

If we look at your development a bit more closely, there is not only cycling since childhood.

Yes exactly, before I cycled I did artistic gymnastics – a good exercise for life and learning. Then I decided to switch to cycling and luckily I made the step into a professional team in 2015. Now a new adventure begins and I have the desire and determination, perhaps more than ever, to show everyone what a cyclist I am.

Maloja Pushbikers Ötztaler by Urs-Golling

Living for track cycling

The Pushbikers already presented their team riders for 2022 at the end of last year. Liam is now the latest addition, how did this come about?

(Chg) In the first move, it was Pippo Fortin who initiated a first contact. In the connection with Marco Villa and Fabio Masotti, there was immediately a good gut feeling with me and with Rupert Hödlmoser. I knew Liam, and I certainly don’t have to explain my close ties to the track to anyone. Of course we want to offer Liam a professional environment and I would like to thank all our partners and suppliers. Especially with Klaus Haas (Maloja) I had someone who was very supportive of me – and that created such opportunities. Now I am curious to see how Liam develops and how we grow together.

(LB) Given the Corona virus, it was a bit of a strange year, but better late than never! Filippo already told me about the Pushbikers in 2021 and made me curious. It will be an important year to achieve success on the track but also on the road, with personal goals but mainly as a lead-out and support for Filippo.

Christian, you also mention a personal reference here – in 2007 you raced the six-day in Berlin with Marco Villa when you were 25 years old at the time. That was still the beginning of your track career, while Marco was already a well known and experienced cyclist.

(Chg) If I remember correctly, I did my first six-day race in 2003. At that time, we went from one race to the next from October to March, and almost every time with a different partner. In January 2007 we just came from Stuttgart, before that I raced in Bremen and before that in Holland always with 6 race days and one travel day in between. Accordingly, I was on the one hand slightly groggy but of course also slightly nervous. At that time I couldn’t read any races, let alone have a say in them. Marco played a very big part in my understanding to be patient and not to “ride with a crowbar”. I would almost say that Marco taught me how to get from the midfield to the front third, and was thus instrumental in every victory and podium.

(MV) It was a good experience because by putting myself at the service of young people, I realised what my future could be like if I were a coach.

Many of the Pushbikers’ friends and fans’ hearts beat faster when we talk about track cycling. The Pushbikers grew up with track cycling, the roots lie on the track and even today there is still a lot of love for this cycling discipline in you, Christian, and therefore also in the team. How do you see it – winning a rider like Liam, is that also a connection to your own history?

(ChG) Not only many friends and fans will be immensely happy about this commitment – above all I was happy myself. I have been able to experience so many great things on the track and in the context of track cycling – athletically, but also interpersonally and generally speaking: in the way we lived with and through this sport years ago. Many, many moments and encounters accompany me there. In this respect, Liam brings me closer to this world again. And as a team manager, it makes me proud to have a world champion in the Pushbikers jersey – a title that was never up for debate for myself. You notice Liam’s passion for the cause, his character, but also his professionalism, and that also inspires me for our current team.

When I think of my track career, it makes me happy and grateful, also because I was able to gather great teammates around me for the Pushbikers squad. But today I also realise that in Germany we no longer have athletes like Leif Lampater, Marcel Kalz or Robert Bengsch. They were all professionals who could make a living from cycling. Today, good track riders have to ride in the German national team – and for all other track riders there are hardly any competitions and opportunities to duel and earn a living. Of course, apart from the structural decisions on how track cycling has developed in Germany, there are also the consequences of the last two years: no indoor events, far-reaching regulations that have often forced organisers who are at their limits to give up. Nevertheless, we are trying to revive such great riders with our club through promotion, and we have some young athletes who have what it takes.

Gliding on the wooden track, adrenaline, thrills and mastery

What makes track cycling?

(LB) For me, track cycling is a unique and special world: the races feel different because I experience them on the track and in an indoor arena. More excitement, adrenaline and thrill. I love the track and the relationship it builds with people.

(MV) It is the “university of cycling”. Because when you have to make an intense effort, you always try to test the limits of your performance.

(ChG) It’s that pure way of moving too extremely light and fast. It’s these instincts that track riders develop because they have to do without brakes – a crucial thing on any bike – and be aggressive every lap despite the risk. Gliding silently down a wooden track, in front of packed crowds – it’s an amazing feeling. And the pressure to perform was the biggest drive for me to train hard.

What has happened in track cycling in the last few years, Marco, are there any new developments that you, as a former professional and now as national coach, see favourably or critically?

(MV) The results of the last few years show that rail is compatible with road in order to promote young talents and top performers.

What distinguishes a rider like Liam and what is his role in the Italian national team?

(MV) Liam is a cornerstone in our team. He has matured a lot in the past years and has been able to achieve his personal goals. And last but not least, he is also a role model for younger cyclists.

Connecting with the world’s best and the team as a family

What are your personal highlights and goals for 2022, Liam?

In road cycling you learn your limits, but sometimes it also helps you to overcome them. Participating in the Giro d’Italia, for example, taught me to deal with my strengths and to understand myself better. I want to achieve good results on the road this year and try to help the team as much as possible. On the track, I’m aiming for the European Championships quasi “in my own country”, in Munich, and of course the World Championships, which will take place in the Saint Quentin-en-Yvelines velodrome – because they are important for the Olympic qualification for Paris 2024.

And how can the Pushbikers support you in this?

In the national team, it’s like this: before we are racers and teammates, we are first and foremost friends. Friends you can rely on, trust, but most of all we help each other. And I hope to build a similar dynamic in this team. Different minds, but one goal. The Pushbikers are a well-organised team, with a commitment and fighting spirit that should not be underestimated. A small family, but with big ambitions. I like the approach – and of course I’m also glad that track cycling is well understood here and that I’m given the corresponding freedom for the assignments.

The European Championships will be held in the Bavarian capital Munich this August; 22 of the 30 cycling medal decisions will be held on the track. How are the Pushbikers looking forward to the event?

(ChG) Liam is of course our link to the European Championships. But we also have many other links, such as Walter von Lütcken, who was commissioned to build the track at the Munich fair. Some of our athletes and coaches from the cycling clubs will work as volunteers, we want to set up a stand in front of the hall … there are so many ways to get involved and I am really looking forward to some really intense track cycling and the chance to meet many companions! We will also invite partners and friends to spend some quality time with us live at the track and in Holzkirchen in our new office, shop and headquarters. Hopefully with a medal and a Bavarian-Italian party at the end.

And lastly, Liam, what about six-day races for you and which velodrome do you like best?

The nicest velodrome for me is the one in London, where the 2012 Olympics were held. When it’s full, it feels like a stadium. It’s just great. I have taken part in some six-day races in Italy, but of course I would like to experience six-day races all over Europe. It would also be a dream to be able to share six days with Christian, learn from him and improve.