The anticipation for the first edition of the Milan-Sanremo Women's cycling, which brings with it many questions and expectations. Will it be a race for sprinters, who will keep everything closed while waiting for the sprint, or will it favor climbers, who will have to take advantage of the few climbs? These are the main uncertainties that will hover over the race, but also over the strategies of the teams and athletes, ready to face the historic Classicissima (opening, Arianna Fidanza and two companions from Laboral Kutxa on the iconic Cipressa hill).
In this article, we had the opportunity to listen to the opinions of two high-level technicians, Marco Pinotti of Jayco-AlUla, and Paul Slongo of UAE-ADQ, They offer an in-depth analysis of how they will prepare for the race and the prospects for their respective athletes. The approach and vision of two coaches, dealing with an event that promises to be already full of emotion and with two athletes who are polar opposites: Longo Borghini, climber (and not only) for Slongo. Letizia Paternoster, fast woman, for Pinotti.
Slongo's word
The technician of UAE ADQ gets straight to the point. He explains that the climber has a pace that makes it difficult for all her opponents and therefore he has an interest in maintaining a strong pace throughout the race, especially on the climbs. Another possibility is that, if this situation doesn't occur, circumstances will need to be created that make the race tough. The Chiefs will be more effective than the men...
So it will be a tough race for the climber right from the Capi?
I would say yes, but not only there. As we have said several times, the girls are now all at a good level, but the Chiefs will certainly make more selections than in the men's competition. However, in my opinion, the favorites will be in good condition, and therefore, whether they're climbers or sprinters, the Capi won't pose any major problems for them. The Cipressa, or at most the Poggio, will certainly pose more problems, if they're done in a certain way.
You mentioned Cipressa, a key point: is it possible for women to leave there?
It's a bit difficult on your own, though. if you create a small group of 4 or 5 girls with Vollering, Kopecky, Longo Borghini… there's definitely a possibility. Also because, in addition to being the strongest, they represent more teams, and those who can control them are very few. Therefore, unlike the men, a leader's attack from afar is easier. Or more likely. For the men, it becomes really difficult to do so on the Cipressa, because the teams can also control for the other captains.
Paolo, you mentioned the men: from a tactical point of view, what is the most similar thing between the men's and women's Sanremo?
I would say in general the beauty of Sanremo, that until the end you never know who might win. It's such an easy race, but at the same time it becomes very difficult to interpretI think this aspect is the same for men and women.
And the difference?
The difference is that if the leaders, especially the climbers or those who know how to go fast on climbs, decide to attack from afar, the race could be already selective, with the leaders staying ahead. One thing is certain: among the women, the hard race, which is obviously better for climbers, can be more selective. Of course, taking a Kopecky, who is excellent on those climbs, into a sprint is always risky. So, In my opinion, the other opponents, including Elisa, will still have to try or think about something on the climbs preceding the Poggio.
A word from Pinotti
Regarding Letizia Paternoster's race, Pinotti analyzes the dynamics that would lead to the sprint and the sprint itself, which will still feature a small group. As in the classics, any sprinter who wants to reach the final will have to have worked hard on endurance. The Chiefs arrive after 110-115 kilometers and a lot will depend on the race situation at that moment.
«The Sanremo – says Pinotti – it's not a very long race as one might expect, but for the women the first climbs come after more than three hours of racing and they will already be able to say something».
When you say that the sprinter needs to increase resistance, do you mean those 3'-5' sessions?
Those, but also the resistance in general, the one you do in January. It's clear that certain jobs, certain finishing touches are done as the event approaches. And then those minutes are good for the Chiefs and Poggio, but the Cipressa for women will gild at least 12′.
Among the leaders, which one will be the toughest for a sprinter like Letizia?
Berta is definitely the most selective. The other two, not so much.
In your opinion, will the main obstacle for Letizia be the Cipressa or the Poggio?
In my opinion, it'll be the Cipressa, not so much for the gradient, but because it's longer. Position matters less on this climb. The Poggio is easier, even for women, and the gradient is less demanding. Speed, however, matters a lot, and you can break away more. The problem with Poggio is that it comes after 145 kilometers, so after several hours and positioning counts a lot.
Here's the positioning: how important is it, especially for a sprinter who needs to save as much as possible, and how important is the role of the team?
Positioning is crucial. You have to stay in front, but this is also important on minor climbs like Berta. On the tougher climbs, the team helps you position yourself and stay covered, especially to avoid injury during the climbs and to deal with any mechanical problems. After the Cipressa and the Poggio, if there are athletes with good legs, the team will have to intervene to reduce the gaps (the attacks of the big names that Slongo feared, ed.). For the rest, Paternoster is very good at extricating herself from the group and knows how to stay covered... thanks to the track.
Is there a real possibility of a sprint with several sprinters?
Yes, a sprint among sprinters is possible, but at this point it becomes a question of legs rather than pure speed. If a larger group comes down the climb, a sprinter might have a greater advantage: a Wiebes, just to say, could get there and would be hard to beatBut if the finish line is in a select group, even if the strongest sprinters are there, they might have more difficulty.
Clear…
We also saw it at Binda. Finally, after a race with over 2.300 meters of altitude difference Balsamo won, who is a sprinter. Letizia finished fifth (and Longo tenth, ed.). The level of performance among the women today was high, even among the sprinters. It's true that the climbs were different and none exceeded a certain time, but it won't be easy to eliminate them at the Sanremo Women's cycling.
Can the descent of the Poggio make the difference?
Yes, the descent can be crucial, even if you don't think about it too much. The technical difference between female athletes could be greater than that between men, with some having more difficulty with the turns. This could cause some holes. Just 10" and you're good to go.
How much curiosity
In conclusion, The Milan-Sanremo Women's cycling promises to be an uncertain race full of potential surprises. The responses from the two coaches, Pinotti and Slongo, show how strategies are tied as much to physical preparation and technical skills as to the ability to navigate the most crucial moments of the race. In short, they're the intersection of various tactics.
It's all there to discover: the dilemma and the spectacle at the same time are all here. Climbers versus sprinters and more. Tactical progressions. Poggio or Cipressa? Via Roma or the Capi? This first edition of the Classicissima women will leave an important mark for the coming years as well. Sanremo Women's cycling is preparing to deliver some great emotions.
