When Bike Channel Team announced that they would bring Francesco Chicchi into the fixed gear scene everyone new things just got even more serious. Chicchi is a former UCI U23 Road World Champion (Zolder, 2002) with 31 pro wins and 14 years of experience on the pro level riding for top teams like Liquigas and Quick-Step. Being a world-class sprinter on the road does mean you know how to ride a bike, however, it does not automatically mean that one can handle a fixed gear on a crit circuit. Therefore, it will be a surprise to everyone how Chicchi will perform in RHC BK10. We had a very brief talk with Chicchi on his thoughts and expectations on RHC BK 10.
Text: Brian Megens
Photos: Ike Eno
When Chicchi announced his retirement he got a call from Luca Oscar, the team manager of Bike Channel, asking if he would be open for some fixed gear crits “It is a new world of cycling that I really like … I never practiced. The problem is not having brakes! In the crit there is a lot more fun.” Chicchi sees more and more of his former colleagues stepping into the world of fixed gear crit racing and although his main goals is to get some experience in it, “I would like to win in New York”. When a man with his race credentials says this, he must be taken seriously.
Coppi e Bartali 2015
Zolder 2002
