General team manager Erwin Janssen of Team SD Worx-Protime is happy that Mondini wants to take this step: ‘With the arrival of Gian Paolo, a lot of knowledge in many areas comes into the team. First, he himself cycled at the highest level in big teams and managed to win a stage in the Tour de France, among other things. Then he studied psychology, which is also important in cycling because the mental aspect plays an increasingly important role. Through his job at Specialized, he has a huge amount of material knowledge, but also got a look behind the scenes of a lot of professional men's teams.’
Sports manager Danny Stam: ‘For 11 years our team has been riding with Specialized and for 11 years we have been working with Gian Paolo. There has always been a click between us and it is great that we will now really work together. After the departure of Anna van der Breggen and Lars Boom in the team management, we were looking for a new personality with a lot of experience in his luggage. I sensed from Gian Paolo that he was looking for something new. Erwin and I offered him this job and, to our great surprise, he was immediately extremely enthusiastic and sees this as a great challenge. I am happy that we were able to bring in a person with so much know-how.’
‘I had a unique job at Specialized, where I was the point of contact for all sponsored teams and professional riders,’ Mondini says. ‘But I was never fully part of one team. If one of your teams wins, another loses. After 14 years, I felt it was quietly time for something new. I let Danny Stam know I was leaving Specialized. To which he called me the next day: you must come and work for us. I was totally surprised, but the more I thought about it, the more I realised that the pieces of the puzzle fit together nicely.’
‘I was a professional cyclist for eight years and then never really stopped cycling completely. That not only comes in handy on a tactical and strategic level, but I am physically able to scout the races together with the riders and immediately give tips and tricks. On the bike, someone also talks faster. I was also in charge of testing the material at Specialized. The expertise I gained at Specialized will come in handy. I want to teach riders how to sense their material and how best to give feedback on it. So that they have more control over their bike and the tools at hand.’
‘After my career, I studied a PhD in psychology at the University of Bologna. I wanted to learn how the mental part of the body works. I can now apply that knowledge as a sport director. As a team we pursue one common goal together, with the riders and the staff. My strengths will also lie in helping to motivate the riders, before and during the race. Cycling is not only about performing physically, but also about being mentally strong. I want to help the riders be well prepared by helping them visualise all possible scenarios. If something unexpected happens, don't panic because you will lose precious time. I can help in that.’
‘Of course, I also have a lot to learn. I have never sat in a sport directors's car before. But within Team SD Worx-Protime, I am surrounded by people full of expertise. After one conversation with team manager Erwin Janssen and sports manager Danny Stam, I was convinced: this is my dream job.’