From Predazzo in the Val di Fiemme, Francesco Ferrari and his Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino join us for a short conversation about the past achievements and future ambitions of the Pro Tour team. This bunch of nice Italian – and one Spanish – athletes have finished last season classified as the second best Italian Pro Team. Moreover, both Mauro Brigadoi and Francesco Ferrari managed to have some personal best results during the season, showing how strong this duo is becoming over the years.

Now that summer is at full speed and skiers are finding their shape for next season, this Italian group has its first summer training camp in the region of Marcialonga. Rollerskiing, running, and hiking in the beautiful Trentino area is the central part of the menu, hoping that it makes them strong to continue to fight for better results – and to inspire a new generation of Italian skiers.

How was last season for Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino?

“We are satisfied with last season. Despite restrictions related to Covid-19, Ski Classics gave us the possibility to take part in all races. The best moments of the season for our team have been Marcialonga because it is our home race. We managed to have two athletes in the first 40 positions – Mauro Brigadoi and Francesco Ferrari – who were also the two best Italian athletes, and Vasaloppet, where we obtained great results as a team (both in the male and female standings). The most difficult moment for us was the last part of the season in Scandinavia due to the distance. For a small Italian team like us, it is difficult to organize long trips abroad, especially in northern Europe.”

How are you preparing for next season? Will there be new athletes on the team?

“We are preparing for next season with our trainer Fabio Gabrielli, mainly in Trentino. We have been doing rollerski, running, hiking, cycling, and strength training, and some of us are taking part in running and cycling races here in Italy. We are trying to train together, even though it is difficult because of the jobs, the studies, and the duties of everyone involved in the team. We are the same team athletes of last year, with the addition of a new athlete, Emanuele Busin, the younger brother of Lorenzo Busin.”

Where is the training camp, and what kind of training have you been doing?

“We now have a training camp in Predazzo (Val di Fiemme, Trentino), where Marcialonga takes place. We have been doing long rollerski sessions, running, cycling, and hiking in the beautiful landscapes of Trentino. The most important thing for us is always spending some time training together while also relaxing, eating, and building team cohesion.”

“With new races in Italy, how do you think Ski Classics is evolving in the country? Do you feel that Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino is responsible for making long-distance skiing more popular in Italy?

“We think Ski Classics is getting increasingly popular in Italy because our country offers beautiful snow tracks and landscapes. We hope our sport can also be attractive for young athletes and that some of them decide to try double poling and long-distance. SottoZero has been doing a great job of making skiing more popular in Italy, especially with the TV show “SottoZero.” Every week during winter, our Pro Team director Michele Pasqualotto talks about ski, racing, and winter sports in general.”

What are your goals for next season?

“Our main goal for next season is to continue to bring Italian athletes to Ski Classics and help them to obtain better results, while also making Ski Classics always more known and attractive in Italy so that new Italian athletes can take part in it.”