Venturelli vs. Ciabocco: A Comparison of Talent and Affection

Every age has his dualisms, even in the youth categoriesAnd perhaps they are the most beautiful, whether you rewatch them years later or experience them almost live, because beautiful friendships can be born between cycling rivals. Recently – especially at the Giro di Campania in Rosa – Federica Venturelli ed Eleonora Ciabocco (in the opening, photo Ossola) they followed one another in the junior finishing order.

The 17-year-old from Lombardy, a former Italian youth champion, and a member of Cicli Fiorin, won the first two stages and the overall classification of the Campania race. The 2004-born rider from the Marche region, a member of Team Di Federico and the reigning Italian champion, won the third stage and finished second overall. We'll surely see them compete again on the road, but we we wanted to put them to the test, one in front of the other, in a sort of double interviewEven in this situation we assure you that they showed talent and charm.

Over the past few weeks, you've been alternating at the top of the list. How are you feeling about this moment?

VENTURELLI: "I am very satisfied with my latest results, especially those obtained at the Giro di Campania, just two weeks after resuming business due to the COVID-19 shutdown. Eleonora was an incentive for me to give my best. on this occasion and will continue to be so. However, my goal is to improve and gain experience in my first year in the junior category, without short-term results being my priority."

CIABOCCO: «I'm not experiencing it any differently than usual. I always try to do my best knowing that there are very fearsome opponents and Federica is undoubtedly one of these."

What is your relationship with each other, both in and out of competition?

VENTURELLI: «Eleonora and I are friends, there has never been tension between us. During the competition there is full respect, after the competition we talk and joke together very willingly. Our bond strengthened during the trip to Belgium with the national team and I hope that with time we can become even more united."

CIABOCCO: «I have an excellent relationship with Federica, we were also together in the national team and we discussed many aspects of our lives as athletesThere is great respect between us."

What quality would you steal from the other?

VENTURELLI: «I would definitely steal Eleonora's strength on the climbs and her experience in managing the race. Off the bike I would like to always be smiling and cheerful like thehe, with a joke always ready for every occasion."

CIABOCCO: «Well, that's hard to say. We are two very different athletes and stealing one quality from another would mean changing one's way of being and perhaps making things worse. Better to be content with what we have (smiles, ed.)".

What do you think you're better at than your opponent?

VENTURELLI: «If there were a completely downhill race, thanks to my height and weight, I could definitely make my mark (laughs, ed.)».

CIABOCCO: «It's not up to me to say, I'll leave it up to the experts and the street to decide».

Where do you think your opponent is strongest?

VENTURELLI: «A bit everywhere, as he has shown in almost all the races this year. We definitely have completely different physical structures. I'm much heavier so I'd say that Eleonora is definitely more suited than me to uphill sections, especially those with steep gradients. Despite his small physique, he is also very strong in sprinting."

CIABOCCO: «Definitely against the clock, I think Federica is very strong in this specialty and I think she will be a key figure in the national team also in the coming years in races against time".

Climbing, sprinting, pushing to take out the breakaway, and race vision. Who's the strongest in these areas?

VENTURELLI"Being stronger than her is very difficult. One specialty, which isn't among those in the question, where I can hope to compete with her is time trials."

CIABOCCO: «Our physical characteristics would say that I am stronger on climbs, but it hasn't always been like this. Federica has proven to be a complete athlete, it's hard to find a weakness in her. Her numerous victories prove it."

Who is the opponent you fear the most?

VENTURELLI: "In addition to Eleonora, who has proven to be the strongest athlete in Italy. The girls I fear and who at the same time push me to do better. they are those who have already had experiences abroadI'm talking about Francesca Pellegrini, Gaia Segato, Michela de Grandis and Elisa Valtulini».

CIABOCCOThere is no particular opponent, Federica is one of the strongest but there are others too and I don't feel like naming a name. Because the races are demonstrating that the level is high and many can have their say."

Who is better at interviews and why?

VENTURELLI: «Definitely not me. I'm quite shy and I'm not very good with words. I would definitely feel more comfortable with a math problem than an interview. (laughs, ed.)».

CIABOCCO: «I don't know, in general though I prefer to stay away from interviewsI'm always afraid of making a mistake!

Which of you two will win the next race or do better than the other?

VENTURELLI: «Without a doubt Eleonora, on the road there is no comparison. It's practically unbeatable. However, I hope to do well in the next time trial."

CIABOCCO: «I'm superstitious, so I say Federica! (they both laugh, ed.)».