Improving every day seems to be the premise of Lionel Scaloni for the Argentine National Team, with which he will face the Copa América in two months after taking it to the top in Qatar 2022, but also on a personal level. It is that the world champion coach broke a personal record in a cycling racea sport that he practices as a hobby, in parallel with his duties as head of the Albiceleste team.
Happened At mallorcawhere improved in two minutes (5:06.08 hours) his mark in the 167-kilometer distance of the Mallorca 312-OK Mobility cycle touring test that was held this Saturday on the roads of the Balearic island, with the participation of 8,500 cyclists. Last year, he had finished it in 5 hours, 8 minutes and 32 seconds.
Scaloni, who has established his residence there, highlighted upon his arrival “the toughness of the test this year, with the wind being the main protagonist in the Deià and Valldemosa part.” “The air blew and It’s gotten a little tougher. than other editions,” acknowledged the leader of the Scaloneta.
He then delved into the details of his performance. “I had to slow down a little because I noticed that I was about to have cramps”, he stated.
The fastest cyclist in the distance of 167 kilometers was Alejandro Martínez with a time of 4:38:39. Nelson David López García and Wojciech Szczepanik completed the men’s podium with a time of 4:40:09.
At the beginning of this month, after the last FIFA date in which Argentina beat El Salvador 3-0 and Costa Rica 3-1, Scaloni cycled through different landscapes in the province of Córdoba with a group of friends.
The coach born in Pujato took advantage of the occasion to draw on the affection of the people, which grew exponentially with the conquest of the third World Cup for the National Team.
“It helps to distract you, to think about many of the things we do. It happens to me like when I went out for a run, your head spins, it does you good, it gives me energy in a good way, it relaxes me… It’s a ground wire. “Sport in general is,” he said a while ago about cycling.
The extreme challenge he overcame in Spain
In May 2023, invited by a Spanish TV program, Scaloni managed to complete one of the toughest tests on the planet, known as El Infierno. “It is an incredible experience to know this mythical climb,” said the man from Pujato once the objective was achieved.
Professional cyclists are already beginning to look askance at Scaloni, who draws attention for his state of form and his times on the bike. Last year he also broke it in a race in Mallorca, where he resides with his family. Observing his performance, Pedro Delgado, winner of the Tour de France in 1988 and the Vuelta a España in 1985 and 1989, invited him to share the climb in El Angliru, a hill in the Principality of Asturias.
“Lionel accepted quickly, he was motivated by the challenge we posed, and it has already been seen that it was a success to bring him,” said the former Spanish cyclist in dialogue with La Nueva España, and added: “I was very surprised by the strength and preparation that “Scaloni has it. I knew he was doing well, but I didn’t expect a performance like that.”
What’s coming for the National Team
Lionel Scaloni will definitively close the list of 23 players for the Copa América in the United States on June 12.
La Scaloneta will begin the defense of the Copa América title on June 20, against Canada, in Houston. Photo Ira L. Black / Getty Images via AFP.The team led by Lionel Messi in football will defend the 2021 title in a competition that will also mean the farewell of Ángel Di María from the national team.
The Albiceleste’s big debut in Group A will be on June 20 against Canada, at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Houston. Then, they will play against Chile (6/25) and Peru (6/29).
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