The countdown to the third edition of the Paris-Roubaix Women's cycling it's about to run out. Tomorrow at this time we will be analyzing it from other points of view to see if any further insights have emerged with respect to our chat with Ilaria Sanguineti.
That it is a race that makes you jump first with emotion and then in the saddle is beyond question. And that the women's Roubaix is a Trek-Segafredo affair is equally true, as the history of the other two editions shows.. In the 2021 the Lizzie Deignan's lonely ride completed by the third place of Longo Borghini, who then triumphed last year and joined by Brand on the third step of the podium. At the hotel in Valenciennes, where the US team is based, perhaps they're touching wood (or maybe not), but the atmosphere is as controlled as ever.
Tactics and mud
During the virtual press conference connection, Longo Borghini he reiterated that Roubaix is a race where you need to have multiple backup plansAnd surely Ina Yoko Teutenberg, sport director of Trek-Segafredo, will have studied them even more.
"This is a race unlike any other," explained the Ossola native, fresh from her third-place finish at the Flanders Races after a long absence due to COVID. "Many athletes can win it." I think our Brand can have a great race, just as this year will be another race for Elisa (Balsamo, ed.). I believe that the Mons en Pévèle section could prove decisive and particularly dirty. We could find a lot of mud, also considering the forecasts.
«The organization of this race improves every year – he continued – and I personally agree with not including the Arenberg ForestIt's too close to our departure and would create unnecessary chaos. KopeckyIf you ask me if she's my number one rival, I'd say yes. She's in brilliant form, but things change quickly at Roubaix.. Obviously we will take her and other girls into consideration."
Yaya's words
Wednesday's reconnaissance prompted us to take the pulse of Sanguineti, who, after two "overtimes" on the French cobblestones, starts with very clear ideas in mind. Without abandoning his usual extroversion.
How did the inspection go?
Well, it was a day with good weather. And that's a good thing, because I'm usually not a big fan of recons. But let's just say they're quite useful before Flanders and Roubaix. Then do a recon with an athlete like Elisa (Longo Borghini, ed.) who won both races, you live it much better because he can give you lots of advice and suggestionsOf course, we know that everything will change during the race. It's one thing to ride part of the route with five teammates and see where it's best to pass. It's one thing to do the same stretch with fifty or one hundred riders..
Have you tried anything specific?
It was a way to study and review the more delicate points, such as the bumpy curves in some sections. We tackled 13 of the 17 cobblestone sections, some of which were done in blocks. Personally, I prefer to do them fast or fast, otherwise you'll only prolong the suffering. (laughs, ed.) We were careful about the tire pressure. But even that could change when we see what the weather is like tomorrow morning. I shouldn't use special gloves to prevent sores and blisters on my handsOn Wednesday I put some plasters on my fingers and that was it (smiles, ed.).
Speaking of reconnaissance, have you had a chance to hear from your friend? Guazzini?
Yes, of course, also because she's staying in the same hotel as us. I immediately texted Vittoria and then called her. She told me she hit an obstacle and fell, but in reality we didn't talk much about cycling or that accident. I sensed she was in pretty good spirits, as good as one can be after an injury like that. But the "Vitto" has character and I know she will be back on the bike soon.
How do you get to this Roubaix?
I did the other two too, and this time the feeling was good. More mental than physical. This year I have more motivation, I feel more on top of thingsI want to help my teammates get them up front or keep them there. We have more than one striker. Naturally, Trek-Segafredo is very keen on this race, having won the previous editions, but we're starting as if we had nothing to lose.We don't feel we have an advantage. We won't look at the other teams but at ourselves. Elisa (Longo Borghini, ed.) was right when she told me that Roubaix is never over until you cross the finish line.
Did guardian angel Ilaria Sanguineti give Balsamo any advice?
We're in the room together and I told her that this year she doesn't have to worry about anything. If he's thirsty or hungry, I'll go to the flagship, in fact I'll already leave with my backpack. (he says with a joke referring to Balsamo's disqualification in 2022 for prolonged bidon-collè, ed.) Jokes aside, in these days the "Barzi" and I have compared notes in training and I think he can do a good race.
Will you take a break after Roubaix?
Not right away. I'll do the Amstel Gold Race first as a treat since it's April 16th, the day after my birthdayIt's not really the race that suits me best, but I like it and I'm happy to run it. Then I'll go home and start preparing for the other races, hoping the warm weather arrives soon.
