Matteo Fontana at Challenge Prague 2017

That Matteo Fontana was a pure cyclist everyone knew, but that he also had triathlon in the blood I think was a pleasant surprise for him as well. His is one of those jaw-dropping stories, in fact, to be afraid of the water yet still throw yourself into the triathlon world is not small feat. Let's add to the fact that Matteo is able to stand in front of struggling for victory is something incredible. As he tells us, he has had some beautiful and ugly moments, and because of his desire to get in the game, he has been tested in areas unknown to him, like the aquatic environment he feared. This is story is one with a happy ending, beginning from the fear of swimming to winning the 18-24 age category in the world's Ironman 70.3 in Canada is already an incredible victory in itself. Unfortunately, an old injury limits him, but the desire to resume the work begun demonstrates this formidable athlete’s tenacity. We have a startling start to the season, a 2017 that Matteo will tell us, started great with a win and a Podium in the Italian triathlon championships. The test ground on the national ground confirms the resumption of Matteo and the ability to return soon to the highest levels, and, given his young age, we wish him a great and long career.

A great promise of long distance Italian triathlon, after rocky career start, started well in this new season, where he has already become the protagonist, but let's let him tell us about his adventures, here is Matteo Fontana:

Hi Matteo, tell us your age and where you’re from.

I'm 25, I was born in Carate Brianza in 1992, in a village near Monza, about 25km north of Milan.

How and when did your sports career begin?

I have practiced sports since I was a child. At the age of 6 I was already participating in the first bicycle race and I continued to do so until I was 19.

How did you stop cycling and started competing in the triathlon?

During my career I had lost motivation, and in order to be able to resume my cycling activity, I got interested in the triathlon. But I’ve actually always had the desire to complete in an Ironman!

What were your successes in cycling?

During my cycling years I won many races in all categories. The most beautiful memories were the trips with the national team, where I achieved several great results. Unfortunately many years have passed and I prefer not to talk too much about the past, but instead look at the present and the future!

What have you been doing so far in your triathlon?

I won the world championship in Ironman 70.3 triathlon in the 18-24 category in 2014 in Canada in Mont Treblant. As far as I've been a professional triathlete, I only competed in the 2015 season because of an injury and won two national races in the half Ironman distance in Italy, plus several races and two top ten in the Ironman circuit.

Which team do you compete for? Also I saw on your Facebook page that you train certain age groups for triathletes...

I am a member of the Monza Marathon Team, a local team that started as a running team but has now had a triathlon section for a few years now. Currently I train some age groups, for the most part they are friends who help in their "journey" towards winning their goals, whether it be their first triathlon racing or the Ironman. I really like the relationship that is created and the idea of being a part of someone else's path makes me so proud.

What do you like to do outside the triathlon? Tell me something about you ....

In addition to triathlon, I am fortunate to work and collaborate with a bicycle company Kuota Cycle. Cycling is my first passion, in fact even in leisure I like to "dip" in the world of the two wheels. In addition to my passion for bicycles I like motorcycles and vintage cars, I have a vintage motorcycle, which I spend a long time on fixing it up to put it back on the road. I also like the music, which I listen to while I’m working out to get the pumped up.

What happened when you were forced to stop?

I had a bone problem with my femur and an inflammation of my Ileo band that kept me out for a year and a half, fortunately the problem has been completely solved and at the moment I am training 100% again.

What will be your return plan for the races?

I started to work steadily and gave it my all for three months before finally returning to the competitions. I attended and won the last edition of IronLake Mugello and a great third place in the Italian championship of mid-ironman on June 4th. So now I am devoting myself to the preparation of the races that will engage me in the second part of the season, including the Challenge Prague.

Would you tell me about your victory at IronLake Mugello?

It was a very hard half ironman race distance, in fact the bicycle portion was 4 laps 20km, every lap with a 7km uphill, with almost exclusively gradual slopes, but the final several tests separate the winners. The running part was very demanding in that it was completely unpaved. I have to say that it was a great return to the races, I swam well and I came out ahead at 1'30 '. In the biking portion after just 10km I gained the lead of the race. During the first two laps I pushed and I took advantage of 5 ', then I managed for the remaining 2 laps. In the running, not being in perfect shape and having not worked out too much, I managed to have an advantage by controlling the margin I had gained on the second and third. It was great to return to the races after almost two years with a win. It gave me the moral to continue working hard with the goal of getting back to the top!

Have you ever been to Prague before?

It is a great pleasure for us to accept Tri Fun Fit invitation to participate in Prague Challenge. Unfortunately I have never been to Prague before, so many people say it is a fantastic city and full of history. In fact, I accepted the invitation and cannot wait to race in this beautiful city.

Matteo feels ready to lift the board and has gathered our invitation to participate in Ford Challenge Prague 29.7. 2017 (half distance), where he can compete with pro triathletes from all over the world in an international context, in a unique race with swimming, cycling, and running in the center of Prague and in the heart of Europe! The race has demonstrated with the previous two editions that it is well organized. In fact this third edition comes right in between the official races of the CHALLENGE FAMILY circuit.

Good luck to Matteo and to the organization, which deserves great success for the fantastic work he has done. Tri Fun Fit awaits you in the expo area, don’t miss it! For more information about the race click here.

Martina Frascona' Sochurkova

 

Související příspěvky

• FORD CHALLENGE PRAGUE 29.7.2017, Triathlon in the Heart of Europe.

• Bruno Pasqualini - from rowing to triathlon

• Gabriele Frascona': extreme sport and triathlon, my daily bread...

• TRIEXPERT TRIPRAGUE - try Prague in 3 different ways!