Swiss, with that name, Filippo Colombo could only be from Ticino, the Italian canton of the Helvetic country. Born in Monteceneri, near Lugano, where he once managed to beat Nino Schurter, Colombo is one of the Absolute Absalon for the Olympic GamesThis is no mean feat, since we are talking about being the spearhead of the team that the double Olympic champion created for and to shine in the great celebration of world sport.
In Julien's team he has known Gobika brand that offers what we are looking for, to have peace of mind and confidence in the material we use on a daily basis, in our routine. That is the key to success.
Although his origins were on the road, Filippo never gave up the dream of growing up on fat wheels. He has been doing it exclusively since the age of 16, a gamble that paid off, as he quickly became Swiss junior champion and began competing at the international level.
That year he was podium in the cathedral of Nove Mesto.The year he became a full-time MTB professional, a time he now dedicates to the great Olympic dream, a wait that was prolonged because of the pandemic, but he has marked a date in red on the calendar.
Passion for the Olympic Games
"I've always followed the Olympic Games a lot, it's an event that fascinates me" continues the Swiss and recalls: "Julien's race for gold Absalon gold in Athens 2004 was one of the first races I've ever seen.”.
For Filippo Colombo "the Olympic Games are a dream and for us it's the main race of our sport, in fact, look at the people who come from Pidkock to Van der Poel and Schurter.. No one will be missing".
The road has not been easy, in the World Cup in Albstadt He suffered a fall and had to be evacuated due to a broken upper pelvis, a major setback.
"It wasn't easy to get to Tokyo 2020 -he says. The fall in Albstadt was hard and compromised everything. Luckily the recovery was a success, much better than expected and I was able to recover my best level".
Now he is only thinking about Tokyo: "I'm sure it will be an experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, I'm sure it will make me mature for future races".
He has some idea of what he will find there: "I know that the circuit is artificial, full of small and explosive climbs".
"I want to do my best and enjoy a unique opportunity, I'm not going out with any other objective."
D-day is Monday, July 26.
Photos: Paul Foulonneau
