“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” It's a saying that has now entered common parlance and, if you look closely, it fits Eleonora Ciabocco's character quite well. We've already had the opportunity to talk about her experience among the juniors and her constant battles with Federica Venturelli, with mixed results, but studying the progress of the season, we discover and when the finish line really matters, Eleonora is there and always gives that little bit extra and he did the same last week, winning the tricolor jersey in his category.
The route was that of Cherasco, the same one that a few hours later would be faced by their peers with the coup de main of BellettaTwo 18,5-kilometer hilly laps and two longer ones, with two steep sections that made themselves felt with the heat and the distance.
The two great rivals didn't take long to light the fuse of the challenge and launched themselves into the breakaway with two other athletes, then they tried again and each time the group crumbled only to then mend. In the end they played la victory in 6, but Ciabocco did not want to wait for the sprint, where she could have had her say and at the height of the red triangle she gave the thrust, catching everyone off guard. In the end, 10 seconds over eternal rival Venturelli was a significant advantage (the podium in the opening photo by Fabiano Ghilardi).
Calm down only at the start
The chat with the standard-bearer of the Federico's Team, confirmed on the tricolour throne (something that happens very rarely in the youth categories) takes inspiration from this very character aspect: «You all think that I am calm when facing big events – she says – but it is not really like that, in fact I am an anxious type. It's just that when I show up at the start, I feel like all my fears vanish and I can concentrate on the race and what I have to do. That tension is probably my way of approaching the race."
Winning two consecutive Italian titles isn't an everyday occurrence: how many teams are knocking on your door wanting to have you on their team?
The interest is there, I don't deny it, but I try not to think about it because I know I'm at a difficult age: there is no "buffer" of the under 23s and going professional straight away is tough when you know – and I know – that there is still a lot to learn and improve, even from a physical point of view.
The same thing is happening for theeclecticism?
Yes, I also started earlier than the others in the road race, keeping company with those who have to compete in the team relay and the time trial. Curiously, I'm in the same room with Federica Venturelli, we share the same approach to our races, confirming that outside of we are on excellent terms. She is very strong, a constant stimulus, in Cherasco I saw that reaching the finish line with her and playing it out in the sprint would have been extremely dangerous, so I wanted to avoid it.
This is the first time your category has competed in the Team Relay. Even though you're not invited to participate, what do you think of this race?
I say it's very interesting, it's a different format, and I think it'll be a great show. Even if I don't compete, I'll be watching with great interest.
Do you already have an idea of what the path is like and how to interpret it?
The coach sent us the race profile as soon as the call-ups arrived and we know that it is quite demanding, with several steep climbs and above all a slightly uphill finish. But only on-site experience, the preliminary tour, will be able to tell us what it really is like and how it should be approached.That's why I try not to think about it too much. Then, when we get to the starting line, we'll have a clear idea of our plans and we'll see about putting them into practice.
Tell me the truth: knowing that with two Italian jerseys on your back, many will look at you as a potential star, does that make you uncomfortable?
Let's just say I'm not completely calm... But I also know that from now until the start, everything will be fine. That's just how I am...
