A famous cross-country skier and cyclist, he started from the sea to reach the highest peaks: we present our athlete Nico Valsesia, whose “hobby” consists of breaking records.
From 0 to Monte Bianco, From 0 to Aconcagua, From 0 to Kilimangiaro, From 0 to Elbrus, From 0 to Monte Rosa. It almost seems like he enjoys it, our testimonial Nico Valsesia , starting from the bottom and then reaching the top of the world. After all, it must be intoxicating, and perhaps even a little alienating, starting from sea level and then finding yourself, in the space of the same day or so, above three, four, even six thousand meters in the case of the majestic Aconcagua, in the Andes mountain range.
A renowned cross-country skier and cyclist, Nico Valsesia - with whom NRC is developing new, top-quality glasses , designed specifically for winter sports - can boast a truly remarkable list of achievements: he has a series of ultra-trail records under his belt, such as the ascent of Ojos del Salado in Chile, the highest volcano in the world, and a second and third place in the prestigious RAAM - Race Across America , one of the longest ultra-cycling races in the world.
But it is with the From 0 to project that Nico has ignited the imagination of sports enthusiasts. It all started when in 2013 he set his mind to breaking the record for positive altitude difference in ultratrail + bicycle . Inspired by the feats of Marino Giacometti, he set off by bike from the Ligurian Sea and ran to the top of Mont Blanc in 16 and 35 minutes , improving the previous record by two hours. And from there he has never stopped , grinding out kilometers to reach "monsters" like Elbrus and Aconcagua in the shortest possible time.
We talked about it with him in an exclusive interview .
Nico Valsesia (photo: Vito Delaurentis)
How do you prepare (and how far in advance) for your biggest challenges?
I train constantly, but two or three months before the most challenging challenges I start a specific training, for example spending more time in the mountains if I have to climb a peak, or working on running.
Are you trying to familiarize yourself with the route first?
If it's a climb abroad, I try to go there about twenty days before, so I can go up and down every day, get used to the route and, if it's a very high peak, also to the altitude, because above 5000 it's a whole other world. Or, for example, if I have to face several days in a row on the bike, as it was for the Atlas in Morocco, I do three days of cycling from Piedmont to Barcelona, or I go down to Sicily almost non-stop, mostly to get used to what I'm about to do.
How do you structure your maintenance training throughout the year?
I ride my bike every day, because it has less of a physical impact, while I train in running two or three times a week. Always uphill, because I don't like flats. Usually in the morning I wake up and do a bit of gym at home, then I get on my bike, at least for two or three hours. If I can, even five, but it depends on the time available, since I have a shop and three children! In winter on Sundays, or even during the week, getting up very early, I dedicate myself to ski mountaineering, because it is an excellent workout.
Nico's Favorites
I really like the X1 from the EARTH line, because they are very light and I can use them for a long time, even at night. This is important, because I can't carry a lot of different sunglasses when I go up.
What drives you to take on such challenges?
I love it, it makes me feel good. Not so much on the day of the challenge, in fact that's the part I like the least, because I have to prove something to someone. That's not what interests me, also because I would do it even if no one followed me. The part I love is the preparation.
How important is equipment in these endeavors?
It matters because compared to twenty years ago things have changed and a boot weighs one kilo instead of three: it is something that can make a difference, especially in terms of safety, because in the mountains the longer it takes you to complete a route, the more the risks increase. It also applies to bikes: weight and smoothness count a lot. But it also applies to more specific equipment, such as glasses: glasses with the wrong lenses in the mountains can cause you big inconveniences. In certain situations you need adequate sun protection, otherwise you ruin your eyesight, and if you don't have side shields your eyes will freeze. Sunglasses are essential. It is not for nothing that mountaineers pay attention to three things: gloves, boots and glasses.
Nico Valsesia (photo: Vito Delaurentis)
The most difficult or scary moment of your sports career?
Probably RAAM, where I really reached my physical and mental limits. Sleeping nine or ten hours in nine days is a special experience.
What are the achievements you are most proud of?
The first From 0 to, because I lowered the record by a lot. Aconcagua, because I love South America and I had the opportunity to spend a month in the Andes mountains. But also Monte Rosa, because I was playing at home and there were people cheering. And then the first place at Italy Divide. Well, all of them!
Your next venture?
From 0 to Everest. I should have already gone, but with Covid obviously everything stopped. Let's see what the situation will be like in spring...
Nico's Favorites
I also love the X2.OLIMPO with the black and gold frame. The guys at NRC made me a version with the 4000 lens and they are fantastic.