Davide Appollonio is an Italian cyclist old 29 years. After the world tour in the Cervélo team, Sky or AG2R, his career was stopped dead following a doping control 2015. After a difficult period, Davide has resumed training and wants to make his return to the peloton in July, after the end of its suspension. I had the pleasure to talk with him a few weeks ago, Here is his interview.
Cycling Times : Can you briefly introduce ?
Davide Appollonio : I'm Davide Appollonio, a pretty simple guy, at 15 years, left the house of his parents to follow his dream of becoming a professional cyclist ! I was born in Molise, a small town in southern Italy, where cycling was not known. I came to Tuscany, where I live now and I have done everything to achieve my goal !
CT : You became a professional cyclist in 2009 within the Cervélo. What can you tell me about your first season, your first races ?
GIVES : I turned pro in August 2009, I was very young and very ambitious at the same time ! What I can say about my first season with Cervélo, is that it was a great experience, with incredible people, whether runners, the staff, les sponsors, it was very sad to disband a group like that but that's life. I keep a lot of memories, but I will never forget my first race in Qatar. It was so fast and hard at the same time, with all these experienced runners, but it made me much progress !
CT : After this period, you have made some great performances, particularly within the team Sky. What was your best result in your career ?
GIVES : When Cervélo stopped, I had the chance to race for Team Sky in 2011/12. I have not won many races in my career, but I experienced many beautiful moments. I remember my first Giro d'Italia 2011 I went close to victory behind Mark Cavendish, it was more than a victory for myself if I know that a win could change everything thereafter, but it's like that.
CT : You then joined the team AG2R. What was it like to race in France, and was there a big difference with other countries ?
GIVES : After this experience with Sky I joined the French AG2R team 2013/14. I think every country has its own culture and that there are good and less good in each of them. I am someone who easily gets along with everyone so I made an effort to learn the language, and after that I had such a great time with the team than it was over differences with other countries ! I really loved my time at AG2R !
CT : That ballast race you'd always wanted to win ? And your favorite runner ?
GIVES : The race that I dreamed of winning is Milan-San Remo, and it is easy to say but I prefer the runner is Peter Sagan ! If he wants he can win anything.
CT : You have solid experience in workplace. What do you remember of that period, What have you learned during your career ?
GIVES : Cycling is a lifestyle, so it is impossible to forget ! I remember every moment during those years ... and that made me grow as a person, you need to take so much responsibility, whether you like it or not, you are bound to find a way to pass all the difficulties.
CT : What is your business now ? We know you stopped your career after some problems, do you continue now rolling ?
GIVES : In 2015 I had a problem with a drug test effectively, and my suspension 4 years is still ongoing. It was a very difficult time, I suffered a lot, but I was lucky to be well surrounded. I have not driven for 2 and a half years, because I did not want to see my bike, I took something like 30 kg and I did not want to do much, just think. But thanks to some friends who have forced me to go out cycling even if I did not want, because I was afraid that the desire to run may return, and that's ultimately what happened. In one year I lost these 30 kg, and I got into his head to try to get back in competition, to prove to myself that I had not yet shown what I was capable ! The suspension will end next June.
CT : Finally, what do you think of the evolution of modern cycling ? I want to say, you were a member of Team Sky, and today they dominating every race, providing a new way to run, to train. Do you think things are going in the right direction, or were you more interested in cycling before ?
GIVES : What I think of modern cycling and Team Sky ? I think whoever wins is always right ! So, if the power sensors are allowed for everyone and the Sky crushes all races it means they are better and stronger than any other ! It is not hard to say but hard to do, because it is a succession of details from 1 January to 31 December ... Whoever wins is always right ! If it's boring, this is not the fault of the teams trying to change the system !
A big thank you to Davide Appollonio for this great interview
