For someone who rides a bike and was born in Sanremo like Ilaria Sanguineti, the Milan-Sanremo Women's cycling is the dream race. And when she starts talking about her streets, her heart rate rises, her voice fills with emotion, and her mind drifts toward a fantasy that makes her eyes sparkle with a cheerful note.
"I hold on up the Poggio," says "Yaya" with her infectious charm (photo Getty Sport above), "and while the big names stare at each other for a second, I attack on that descent I know by heart, I make a clean sweep, and I head straight for the finish line. I cross the finish line alone, I celebrate, and they arrest me because it all goes crazy with all my friends waiting for me. Here, I dreamed telling you the ending of my Sanremo. Now we can talk seriously about the competition.».
Sanguineti likes to exorcise his relationship with cycling, but when he gets on his bike for a goal, he's no joke. The route for the first edition of the Ligurian classic, scheduled for March 22, has not yet been announced. although the information in the hands of the teams speaks of a possible departure from Genoa and a finish in Sanremo after about 150 kilometers. While waiting to discover the real route, we return to the reconnaissance carried out after Christmas by Sanguineti and Balsamo, also in light of the two victories achieved by the former world champion at the Volta Valenciana a few days ago.
What instructions did you bring back from Spain?
As a team we did very well, thanks to our usual harmony both inside and outside the race. We have shown that we are always focused on the objective, considering that the pace was very high in each stage.I'll give you an example. Personally, I worked hard at the beginning of the stage and even though I was losing ground on the uphill sections, I always set my records on my Training Peaks. Instead I saw Elisa very well, she went very strong. Indeed, after having seen her in action in the last stage which she won and where there was very little flat land, I'm even more convinced that she's tailor-made for Sanremo. And vice versa..
How was the recon at the end of December?
We had done about 4 and a half hours for a total of 140 kilometers. We did Capo Berta, then Cipressa twice and Poggio twice before heading to the finish area. It was a way to get to know the descents well, but I explained all the other tricky points to Elisa. From those on the Aurelia where you can recover energy or position in a group to those where there are dangers. And it's also the last place after Cipressa where you can grab a bite to eat before the finale.
Do you think the three leaders could ignite the race?
I don't think so, although they certainly shouldn't be underestimated, especially given the battle it will take to catch them in front. Berta is the most difficult, but none of the big teams will suffer from itChaos could arise later, when we head towards Cipressa. We'll probably have a favorable wind when we pass, and we'll go even faster. There will be frenzy.
How did you explain the Cipressa to Balsamo?
I based it on my experience since I travel those roads all the time. On Cipressa you will have to resist the first four minutes of climbing because they are the toughest, then you can breathe because it flattens out. Before the top, however, there's what we call the "chocolate"—that last stretch where you have to hold on, trying not to be already at the limit, because the subsequent descent requires a lot of clarity. I repeat, the Elisa seen in Valencia for me passes the Cipressa without problems.
And what could happen before the Poggio?
In my opinion when we return to the Aurelia after the Cipressa, the group or what remains of it will count to see who is there, so it is easy for there to be a slowdownI don't think there will be anyone who will attempt a solo. Reaching the finish line is still long and hard. I believe that Before the Poggio there will be the leader of each team, whether she is a sprinter or not, together with two other teammatesNumerical superiority in that section could be decisive.
Do you expect attacks on Poggio?
Everything becomes unpredictable. It depends on who's left in front. The teams that have focused on their sprinter will try to protect her with a regular pace, but for me there will be very few of them left on the Poggio. In fact, a small group of about ten athletes will arrive for me, maybe even many fewer.
While reconnaissance the final, did you also think about the opponents' solutions?
Of course, I have hypothesized certain situations. That day will be like New Year's Eve, everyone will want to go for a super run. Vollering He could blow everything up before reaching the Poggio, but I don't rule out that some athletes could attack on the descent. I think about Longo Borghini or Niewiadoma who know how to go strong in that fundamental. Reusser, on the other hand, could give a blow at the end of the descent of the Poggio. We will also have to watch out for Lippert and Wiebes or even Gasparini if she had carte blanche, however I believe that Balsamo and Kopecky, by their characteristics, are the ones who start out as favorites if things go as they should. Obviously, we're all hoping for "Barzi" (Balsamo's nickname, ed.).
Who could be an alternative to Balsamo in Lidl Trek?
We always need a plan B and we will definitely study it accordingly to be ready.In the finale, I think Markus, Henderson, and Brand will still be there for us, another athlete who could attack on the downhill. And obviously I hope to be there too (smiles, ed.).
What does Sanremo represent for “Yaya” Sanguineti?
A lot. I've been seeing her since I was five years old and I've been going to Poggio to see her since I was nineWhen I have a day off, I leave my house in Ventimiglia and go to Poggio and come back. Even over the years with friends from the area, we do the descent without pedaling to see who gets to the bottom better.Even though I hadn't been born yet, I would have liked to run the Poggio time trial that they did at the 1987 Giro d'Italia, my ideal stage. However, I am not on the list to do Sanremo Women's cycling.
We can't imagine you without the number on your back that day. Is there a chance you could run it?
Apart from Balsamo, the team is still a work in progress and I don't have it in my schedule at the moment. I would be very sorry not to do it because I think I am of great help to my classmates. I know every single manhole cover in the race. I'm still aware that I have to earn the call. And if it doesn't arrive I wouldn't have any problem accepting the decision.If I don't run it, this time I'll go straight to the finish line to be right next to my teammates. The goal now is to do my best in the next races, for the team and for myself. Extremadura, Oetingen and Nokere await me where I want to earn a call-up to the Sanremo.
