Devin Shortt, who landed his first professional contract at the end of last year, has been racing internationally for nearly four months and feels the toughness is on another level compared to South Africa.
“Racing in Italy is very different. After speaking to Dimension Data riders and many other people last year they all said that Italian U23 racing could be the toughest,” he said.
Shortt, who is riding for Gragnano Sporting Club and lives in Luca, felt this was the reason he was there racing in all the national, regional and international races.
“You don’t line up to a race with fewer than 150 guys. Sometimes there are up to 250 riders. The races are also much longer – last year [in South Africa] a long race would be 110km and this year it’s 180km.
Devin Shortt, who landed his first professional contract at the end of last year, has been racing in Italy for nearly four months. Photo: Supplied
“A short race would’ve been 80km, while this year it’s 140km. I don’t think I’ve done anything under 140.”
Due to the longer distances, the 19-year-old has had to adjust his eating routine and relearn how to fuel himself.
“That’s probably the biggest thing I’ve learnt. Going into an U23 race we train a lot more hours compared to last year. A big factor is learning how to fuel myself for these long events.”
Shortt, who feels his strength is his climbing, said he had had a good season thus far, even though his December and off-season were not as good. He picked up some injuries and fell ill, which put him off the bike for a while.
“Coming here I didn’t have that much form, but I knew I would have to grow with the season as my goals are later on in July/August when I’ll really start going. I’ve snuck into the top 20 about three or four times. It’s not something major but for me this year is just about learning the ropes.”
The language barrier was another factor Shortt had to get used to, especially with having an Italian manager.
“It’s the con of racing in an Italian team. I’ve had to try and learn as much Italian [as I can] as quickly as possible. In Italian U23 teams there is only one foreigner allowed, so sometimes it’s difficult not to feel like an outsider. It’s just one of the things you have to deal with.”
He said what he missed the most was his family. “It’s been nearly four months and I do miss them the most. The racing [in SA] I don’t really miss, to be honest. This is the hardest racing I’ve ever done, but I’d rather stay here and compete.”
Shortt, who was selected to represent South Africa at the Grand Prix Priessnitz Spa in the Czech Republic at the end of the month, said he was looking forward to representing his country.
“I’m really excited to line up and see how I compare against the others. I’m also nervous, because the course is really tough and it will be hard.
“Doing a nations cup is always one of the best things you can do in your age group, whether it be junior or U23. It gives you an idea of what the other guys around the world in your age group are capable of. It’s good to test yourself against the best so that you know where you are and what needs to be done.”
If he is selected for the SA team, his main goal for the year will be the UCI Road World Championships at the end of September in Innsbruck, Austria. “The course is really tough, but Italian racing is not that far from it.”
Shortt, who was introduced to cycling through his dad Terrence who was a professional and managed Team AIG for five years, said his main career goal would be to race for a World Tour team in two to three years’ time and to keep progressing every month and every year.
A rider he admires is Team Sky’s Egan Bernal, a 21-year-old Colombian cyclist who won this year’s Tour of California.
“He also won the Tour de l’Avenir last year. It’s just amazing to see how guys can progress so easily from U23 to World Tour.”
