«It's not an answer – says Anna Van der Breggen changing her tone of voice, when we ask her if today's victory is in some way linked to Lorena Wiebes disqualified - Perhaps it was a great motivationSometimes things happen that you have no control over, but I had power over that, so it was the only thing I could do. In my opinion, Lorena was still supposed to be here And now we can only run for her and try to do our best. And I think speaking with our legs is the best answer."
While waiting for more severe stages, il Giro d'Italia Women's cycling he found an owner and she is not just any athleteAnna Van der Breggen won the Nevegal time trial, covering the 12,7 kilometers in 31'38" at an average speed of 24,089: the others were all more than a minute behind.
Goals and patience
The Dutchwoman had retired after winning four laps, having been world champion twice, having won seven Flèche Wallonne, two Liège and an Olympic gold. He hadn't won the Tour, only because the Tour hadn't returned yetHer life choice had convinced her to get off the bike, but things didn't go as he expected and he had the courage to take a step back. Three years without racing is an eternity: in this fast cycling, it's worth double.. Instead Anna is back and perhaps few expected her performance today.
«Five years have passed since the last time trial I won at the Giro (in 2015 at Cascata del Toce, ed.) and I have good memories of that day, but I think it's beautiful to prove that if you work hard then it's worth itThe road to victory isn't made all at once; it takes time to improve.
«If you believe in your goals and your ability to achieve them, sometimes you have to be patient. But in the end it worked and that's why this victory is truly special. All the work of the last two years now makes sense».
Amaro Longo Borghini
Longo Borghini smiles and he says he was better this morning. Elisa had dedicated more than one observation to this timepiece. Paul Slongo he told us about the three tests to learn the path and fine-tune the material, but since it was the first high intensity test after the Teide altitude, the question mark was legitimate to keep it. If anything, it was It was impossible to predict that Van der Breggen would pull off a performance like this.: at least the Van der Breggen of the last two years.
"The ones after her," says the Piedmontese, "went the way I thought they would. It was Anna Van der Breggen who, in my opinion, went really well and is becoming a tough customer. For me it was the first maximum effort since April 5th (the date of the Tour of Flanders, ed.) so I can't say I'm happy about it, but sooner or later I had to do it. So you take it day by day and proceed from there..
«The technical choice was the best and therefore I have no complaints. We had done several tests and that bike, as it was, was the fastest., including the idea of using a single chainring, which I had tried several times in training."
With the time trial bike
Van der Breggen only saw the course this morning, chose to use time trial bikes and still left the best of the best behind her. Two girls – Reusser and Vollering – who until two years ago trained and led from the team carI wonder if all this knowledge will be useful to her starting tomorrow when they'll be side by side.
«I'm really happy with how the time trial went – he says – because I didn't know what to expect. At the beginning I had the doubt of which bike to choose, but Specialized provides us with a very light time trial bike and since I can climb well on it, I think I made the right choice.
«I have a lot of respect for the girls I share the podium with. I know Marlen and Demi very well and that's why I didn't expect such an advantage., but I know there's still a lot to do, and it's nice to have earned the jersey this way. We'll think about the next stage tomorrow."
A Tour a Day
The same living day by day that from now on will become Longo Borghini's motto. The winner of the last two Tours is forced to chase, having to face a group of really tough opponents.
«Honestly, it doesn't change anything for me – admits the Italian champion – if anything, the Giro changes for those who are just behind Van der Breggen, I do my part. Surely, if we can scrape together a little time here and there, we will. But I think the last two stages will be crucial.. Clearly the Giro is not over here."
Tomorrow will be tough
So what will the pink jersey do now? Without Wiebes, to whom Van der Breggen dedicated his thoughts at the beginning, il Team Sd Worx Protime he will have his fair share of difficulties in managing the race and it remains to be seen whether the leader truly feels as confident as she did in the years when she dominated.
«Tomorrow will be a really difficult stage – concludes van der Breggen – you need to have good legs and also good positions. It's a tricky stage, especially in this weather. It's tough, it's long, there's a lot of downhill, very complicated especially in the rain.
«I have a very motivated team, but We are missing two girls: Lorena Wiebes and Miky (Mikayla Harvey, ed.) who crashed yesterday. We've had some tough days and it will be difficult to defend the jersey. But for now it's really nice to have it and we'll see what happens. We will try 100 percent."
