Rachele Barbieri was the tip for the Liv Racing Xstra for sprint finishes at Line of Business and TourDespite being really busy and full of commitments between road and track, she still managed to bring her name up in the stage rankings. This is what she told us. his way of experiencing these important stage races and the importance and trust of the team, the sports directors and the public.
When was the decision to do the Giro-Tour double made?
I'll be honest: it wasn't in my plans. Before leaving for the Giro, Giorgia (Bronzini, sports director, ed.) called me and told me that their idea was to make me race in the Tour tooThey saw me in good condition and with the fact that the first stage was in Paris, a 99 percent sprint finish, they recognized in me the fact that at the time I was the strongest sprinter. "Why not try everything on the first stage," she said.
How did you feel?
Then, I thought maybe that was a little too much. I passed by two years of only track and open races in Italy to do Giro and Tour together within a week of each other and I was a little scared, honestly. Then I said, "Okay, come on, let's try, I have nothing to lose».
The first Giro d'Italia…
I did very well in my opinion, I'm super happy and proud of what I've doneI worked hard to get there in the best possible condition. It was my first Giro, I didn't know what to expectI was afraid of going out of time on the stages that weren't suited to my characteristics, the slightly tougher ones, the uphill ones. In reality, I ran very well, trying to stay ahead and help the whole team.
And also the first Tour de France…
I left for the Tour more relaxed, I had no pressure on myself and I just knew I had nothing to lose., it was a new experience. I was coming off a good Giro and so I was already satisfied. In reality, probably I didn't really know what I was going to do until I got to ParisThe atmosphere, the people… it was all incredible. We thought there would be so many fans only for the first stage, which coincided with the men's arrival in Paris, but in reality It was like that for the whole Tour, along the whole route, along the climbs, even if you were the last one, they cheered you on so much and it was something I'd never experienced before. I also think I had a good Tour, even if unfortunately I didn't get on the podium. But I've always come close in sprint finishes and I'm really happy as is the team.
Giro and Tour: what are the main differences?
The Giro included a beautiful itinerary, especially starting from Sardinia, and the final stages were quite challenging. The Tour was tiring from the first to the last kilometerEven in the flat stages we always went at full speed and in the longer ones, with such a high average, it was also difficult to keep from a mental point of view at least as far as I'm concerned, since I'm not used to training or racing for so many kilometers.
Other differences?
At the Tour we all started out more competitive, with our fire burning. I think the level was world-class, all the teams were always at full strength, with many attempted escapes and attacks. I'm someone who handles myself very well in a group, but in that case it was really difficult because of the high pace. Perhaps also because For many days the yellow jersey was up for grabs for just a few seconds and we always tried to go fast and attack the jersey, making everything more competitive.
For six days he had it…
Marianne arrived there in incredible condition and No one better than her deserved to wear the yellow jersey for so many days. I think she is a legend of our sportAt the Giro, after a few stages, the classification was practically already closed, while at the Tour this wasn't the case and it made everything even more competitive between us.
Were there as many fans in Italy as in France?
At the Giro too, there were several stages with lots of people. I left much more charged since it was the first time and I would have found my mother, my father, and my boyfriend, who followed me for almost every stage. I had many friends to see me at the closest stages. However The Tour made me feel emotions I had never felt before from a sporting point of view.
What was the atmosphere like within the team?
I arrived directly from the Giro and The girls gave me so much determination and confidence and for this I thanked them so muchWe are all very young and have a lot to learn, especially regarding the timing for creating a perfect train for a sprint finishThey were always close to me. In the longest stage, where almost all of us fell, even though they were quite hurt, It was really nice to see them in the last few kilometers jostling to get ahead of me. And I'm grateful for that. In the last few meters, I'm a bit alone, and it's difficult, even mentally. Seeing yourself reaching the final meters an almost complete team like the Trek one is a bit unsettling, but I think we can be both professional and competitive in the race.
The podium didn't arrive...
Even though I didn't even think it was possible to get close to it before leaving for this Tour, sometimes I realize that I've also been a little unluckyBut it's always easy to talk about things after the fact. My sports directors gave me a lot of confidence. I was planning on abandoning the race for the last three stages, then we decided together to stay one more stage (Rachele retired after the sixth stage in Rosheim, finishing in 8th place, ed.). I thought: «I've danced until here, why not dance until the end?». It was a slightly hilly stage and I didn't think it would be that hard, but in reality it was quite difficult. UAE and Valcar closed the group and I wasn't able to get out in the final sprint, but I'm still happy.
Do you think you made any mistakes that you could have avoided?
In the first stage (which Rachele finished in 4th place, ed.) I did a really great one. I was right behind the wheel of the Wiebes and in front of her was the Jumbo Visma group for VosI thought the train was moving to the left, but instead it moved to the right. I found space to my right and moved over, when I should have stayed right behind Wiebes. These are moments and you decide on the spot and as Giorgia always tells me, you always have to follow your instincts.In that case I thought it was the right thing to do.
And at the Giro?
In the last sprint where I did second behind Chiara Consonni I started off a bit long, but without a team in the final stages it's not easyAnd if I hadn't left at that moment, I might not even have been able to finish second.
Would you do both stage races again next season?
Absolutely yes, but If I hadn't had the track commitments I would have liked to finish the TourI was sad to leave him with two stages to go, even though they were very tough, although watching them on TV was definitely more enjoyable (laughs, ed.). This period is a bit tiring, but even though he's fine, when I push the rope so hard I'm always afraid of reaching the limit and I would be sorry because I have the opportunity to do the European road championships. It would be the first elite European championship and for me, who has been out of the road for quite some time, it's definitely very niceIf I hadn't been busy with the track, I definitely would have preferred to enjoy a few more relaxing days, perhaps at the beach, and then arrive at the elite event with my batteries fully charged. I have a beautiful relationship with collaboration with Marco Villa who came to meet me Understanding my needs to recover and do the right work, in this very busy period where everything has to be calculated down to the millimeter.
Your parents and your boyfriend…
They came to see me at the first stage of the Tour and It was very nice to see them there, they also showed up with a t-shirt with my photo (smiles, ed.) and it's always motivating to have them around. It's a bit of extra strength and day after day it gives me a lotEspecially my father, who follows me almost everywhere. They've always helped me and cheered me up in the most difficult moments.
