Tommaso Dellagiacoma, Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino, had a solid rollerskiing season, finishing the World Cup in the 4th position overall. The Italian athlete, who is also a long-distance skier, has talked about his summer season, goals for the winter, and most significant ambitions in the long run.
Tommaso Dellagiacoma, an Italian cross-country skier who races for Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino, had a strong summer season. Finishing in the 4th overall position at the Rollerski World Cup, the skier could not defend his 3rd position due to a back injury. Despite that, Tommaso showed an impressive performance, racing against some of the World’s best skiers at Telemark, Norway.
Although skiers usually focus on the winter season, this Italian athlete has set his ambition on the summer part of the sport. After this promising season, he is prepared to train for more ambitious goals – winning medals at the most important rollerskiing competitions in the World. But this does not mean that he is not focused on the winter team and about how he can support his Pro Team achieving the best possible results at the Ski Classics circuit.
ProXCxkiing chatted to Tommaso Dellagiacoma to understand how he feels about his achievements and what his goals are.
How has been this summer season for you?
“I participated in all the World Cup races in Norway, Estonia, Latvia, and Italy. I managed to get four times on the podium and three times in the top 5. In Norway (Telemark), we raced against the best Norwegian cross-country skiers, and it was nice to compete closely with them and reach good results. In Estonia, I had some bad luck and made too many mistakes that took me away from some good opportunities. But in Latvia, where I managed to get on the podium three times with two 2nd places and a 3rd, and finally in Italy, where I conquered a 2nd place and a 5th place in the uphill race, I felt good. Unfortunately, this last race blocked my back, and I could not compete in the last World Cup race, defending my third place in the general classification. So, I finished in 4th place behind top-level athletes, so I am delighted for my first full season dedicated to rollerskiing.”
What are your goals for the upcoming winter? Will you race long-distance events?
“After the last rollerski races on the national circuit, I will give myself some rest, and then during the winter, together with Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino, I will participate in medium and long-distance races, focusing mainly on the home race, Marcialonga.”
Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino – How has the Italian Pro team been helping you?
“I am part of Team Internorm Alpenplus Trentino which participates in the long-distance circuit Ski Classics. Thanks to the team, I’m able to sustain all summer competitions at the national level to prepare for the World Cup races. And they help me perform best during the winter, especially for long-distance training and the races.”
How is summer training going? Where and how have you been training?
“I train intensely, taking profit from the short time available cause of my work. Over the years, I have eliminated more and more long, low-intensity workouts trying to optimize each activity. I only trained with rollerskis and gym sessions; I have greatly changed my way of training. I needed a change after my pro skier career.”
Besides skiing, what do you do?
“I work as a Police officer in the “Arma dei Carabinieri” in Trentino Valley, where rollerskiing is not very popular. In addition to work and training, I spend time with my friends and my girlfriend. I like to walk in the mountains and climb.”
What are the main goals in your sporting career?
“I have very ambitious goals already for next year’s rollerski season. I want to win a medal at the World Championships in Norway, and I want to win a World Cup race and fight for victory in the overall ranking.”
“In long-distance skiing, on the other hand, I want to make some placements in the top 20 in long-distance races. Let’s see.”
“Otherwise, my main goal in my sports career is to win a World Championship and the Crystal Globe in rollerskiing competitions.”
Would you like to leave some last words for our readers?
“I would have one last comment; maybe it’s more a wish. I hope one day the more powerful countries of cross-country skiing will invest more in rollerski competitions because it’s a sport with a huge potential for media coverage – city events or outline events – and that they can race more in central Europe, therefore expanding more this beautiful sport.”
