From a simple cycling enthusiast to a job, always in the world of two wheels, which absorbed him full time.

It is the story of Raimondo Scimone , 58, an agent who, after having followed many foreign riders, especially Russians, has dedicated himself to the Italians and their main needs. Today in his roster he has 27 cyclists of all ages, including many talents who will try to assert themselves in the near future, and already established athletes such as Domenico Pozzovivo and Alessandro De Marchi (with him in the photo).

Originally from Vicenza, Scimone lives in Modena but is always traveling to be in the thick of the negotiations.

Yours is a passion that blossomed late but you were one of the first Italian managers, right?

“Yes, I started working in 2002 after a few years as a simple racing enthusiast. I identified what could be an area of intervention which, in those days, was not sufficiently manned. And work experiences in the family (his father was an accountant, ed) convinced me to throw myself into the fray".

Alberto Ongarato was its first rider. Then came the Russian 'avalanche', how was this relationship born?

“During the acquisition I had taken two Russian riders who spread my name. Thus a spontaneous community was created composed, among others, of Menchov and Kolobnev. Over the last few years this colony has disappeared a bit but the affection towards several cyclists from that country has remained ".

What do you like about your job?

“Being behind the scenes of the negotiations is not bad, but I don't like being a sort of 'illegal'. Luckily, since I started the figure of the prosecutor has changed a lot, there has been official recognition by the UCI as well as by the national federations. This has led us to be protected and respected”.

So is everything beautiful?

“A big dynamic is the increase in agents. Before we were four cats, now this figure has spread. Which may be good for the free market, but the pie hasn't gotten bigger. There is certainly an incentive to do better than the competition”.

I imagine that the negotiation phase is the most complicated.

“In the meantime, I specify that there are rules regarding what to do when signing a contract and we all have them clearly in mind. The greatest difficulty is finding a team for a rider who doesn't have the desired results or following a neo-professional boy who, among the 'grown-ups', goes to move certain bureaucratic forms such as insurance or different taxation in the countries where he goes racing”.

How is the relationship with your colleagues?

"There is a fight with a knife between the teeth (laughs, ed)".

How is his 'roster' made up?

“The goal is to have as homogeneous a pool of clients as possible. The key word must be diversification, especially by age”.

You were Michele Scarponi's agent and great friend. What do you remember of him?

“He was a brother to me. I followed him as a neo professional, it was 2005. I miss him humanly because a more than fraternal friendship was born”.

Do you become friends with runners?

“Everyone has their own character. It can be normal that a trust is born from which friendship is achieved. I try to give myself a behavioral line, professional obligations come first and then space for what comes with time".

I have to ask you about Pozzovivo, who will you race with next year?

“You already know, there are negotiations started with his current team (Intermarché, ed) which, however, does not have the budget to be able to make a certain offer. We are working on some alternatives but Pozzo's preference is to stay on the World Tour”.

Among the teams interested there is also the team of which your friend Vincenzo Nibali is testimonial, the Q36.5?

“It's one of the possibilities, especially for the presence in the project of Douglas Ryder, who worked with Domenico at Qhubeka”.

Does Domenico still want to continue his career?

“At his age, he'll turn 40 on Wednesday, he still has a frightening consistency of performance, just think of the Giro d'Italia or Emilia where he arrived behind two phenomenal modern cycling like Mas and Pogacar. He told me he's more motivated than last year."

De Marchi instead signed with the Bike Exchange. What role will it play?

“As an expert rider, with his strong personality recognized in the group, he will have the task of following the youngsters of the team but also of obtaining some satisfaction. On the other hand, he still has excellent physical integrity”.

Name some names to follow carefully in 2023.

“After a negative season I expect a lot from Matteo Fabbro, who is starting to have the right age to do something important. Then a nice consolidation by Giovanni Aleotti. Let's see Christian Scaroni who will race in Astana, even if only the official status is missing, and Nicolò Buratti. A 21-year-old boy who rides for Cycling Team Friuli and who has signed for 2024 with Bahrain. It has incredible potential."

In closing, is Italian cycling so sick?

“He can't have gone numb all of a sudden, everything is linked to the absence of high-level Italian teams which prevents our young players from blossoming and showing off. I don't think it's the riders' fault."

LL

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