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Pssst! The latest insider news: Alessandro Petacci about ambition and disappointment
22/09/2024
Dear Team MIRLAM fans,
I was just about to retain my former condition and to be able to win again, and now another backstroke. Which – I have to admit – was my own fault.
After my long break due to the injured knee cap in May, the Vuelta a Espana was my big hope for giving sense to this turbulent season. After my first year in Team MILRAM started so promising, with five victories in the Niedersachsen-Rundfahrt and successes in several other races, the injury in the Giro d’Italia was a harsh backstroke for me, which was difficult to cope with. I had to slowly approach racing again and to pay careful attention to my body, which couldn’t perform the way I wanted it to. That really strained my patience.
During the Vuelta, I finally had the feeling of really being back again. My knee made very good progress, and the races were more successful than I had expected. The fourth rank in the sixth stage was a wonderful achievment for me, which showed me that my health is improving continually and that I am able to go for victories again.
Then, when I saw the chance for a stage victory in the final sprint of the 15th stage, ambition grabbed me. Shortly before the finish, our Team was in the lead, so that I was in a very promising position. I wanted to show my Team and especially myself that I can still do it. So I pulled through and wanted to give everything to be the first to cross the finish line. Then, however, I was hampered and had to watch the other riders pass me by – a bitter disappointment, if you finally have figured out chances for yourself again, after so long a time.
Consequently, the disappointment about my missed chance overwhelmed me so much that I lost control. I had to vent my anger and punched against a team bus, without considering what I’m doing. For this lack of consideration, I had to pay at once: I broke the metacarpal bone of my right hand. Then I realised at once that my behaviour was stupid. I only caused harm to my Team and especially myself, and I want to apologise for that, to my team-mates, my managers, and of course to my fans.
Yet, I was still lucky in my misfortune. The examination by Dr. Mario Spinelli found out that the hand most likely does not have to be operated. I have to pause for a week and keep it calm, then we will find out if I can start practising again – which I reallly hope for.
I hope you can understand me better now and that you still keep your fingers crossed for me and Team MILRAM.
Alessandro
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