FIORENZUOLA – As of today the only certainty is that Vittoria Bussi is preparing strongly for her second assault on the women's hour recordAn event that aims to mean more than just physical effort or the associated crowdfunding campaign. He first did it in Aguascalientes on September 13, 2018, on his third attempt, recording 48,007 kilometers.
since the new measure to beat has become that of Ellen Van Dijk of Lidl Trek – currently in the maternity ward – which in May 2022 in Grenchen had stopped the distance at 49,254 kilometers. Five years ago Bussi was the second Italian in history, after the pioneering Mary Cressari, to achieve this record. Now, however, The 36-year-old Roman wants to raise the bar and possibly dispel some prejudices about the women's specialty.Approaching, or even better, exceeding, the 50-kilometer mark is the main goal, considering everything that lies behind this rather anachronistic athlete. This is why a chat with Vittoria is never banal..
A strong performance in the Italian road time trial, then second in the individual pursuit at the Italian track event. Were these races part of the buildup to the Hour record?
No, for a number of reasons. My staff and I were supposed to be in another place on another continent in June to do some record-breaking tests. in a very interesting and promising facility. Unfortunately, that trip was cancelled due to track work, so at the last minute we reassembled the time trial bike and did some specific work. I spend a lot of time on the track, but I had also put the individual pursuit on hold. At that point, my coach decided I should do both of these events. The time trial route wasn't suited to my characteristics and we hadn't prepared the pursuit.However, since I never competed, I had to run to experience the adrenaline rush of the race more than anything else. Getting to the record without any competition could be tough on a mental level..
The time trial had a duration that could be useful to you…
Yes, of course. It was a nearly 26-kilometer long race with a 400-meter elevation gain, but above all, it was forty minutes of intense physical and mental effort. I usually train very hard in a velodrome, away from distractions and staying focused on the goal. Forty minutes of time trial, however, fly by compared to lapping on the track.Always remain vigilant on the road. There are roundabouts, curves, descents, and climbs. In a velodrome, however, there is a risk that boredom will take over.
Is there a way to combat that boredom?
Let's say yes. I schedule low-intensity work to get used to focusing. There's no need to be afraid of boredom on the trackYou have to make friends with it and learn how to use it. I take those sixty minutes as time for myself, since life is always hectic these days.It depends on the day, but I'm always thinking about lots of things, like what to eat for dinner or my weekend plans (smiles, ed.).
And you don't want to know the data while you're driving?
Values are important, but I learned not to look at the computer because other things matter.. That training is an act of listening to your body. The Hour Record is a specialty in itself, not comparable to a time trial or a pursuitI know it's perhaps a bit utopian, but it would be nice to see it included every now and then in some major event. Perhaps at an Italian championship, give a man and a woman the chance to compete in the Hour, even if it's a race that requires a lot of preparation.
And how are you progressing with your plans?
I'm training hard. I started training at the beginning of the year in Aguascalientes, Mexico. While the first time I did the Hour Record because I wanted to do it, this time I'm doing it to push myself to the limit.I like to get over it. It could be a way to close my career by saying, "I've really done everything I could do." I want to surprise myself.
When and where will you make this attempt?
We can't say anything about the date as well as the placeThere's constant news. You'll know everything soon, but I can tell you that I've evaluated various options, including doing it at altitude rather than at sea level. I've done a lot of tests. In June, I told you that I had some setbacks with my trips to the velodromes. Unfortunately, the names still count. I, not having competed much, do not have the necessary fame that allows you to be accepted even just to train in these velodromesI asked many questions and received many negative responses. But I never gave up or gave up.
Why does Vittoria Bussi want to try again to break the Hour record?
It's an unusual test for women's cycling, however. through my attempt I would like to tell a story, regardless of whether I manage to beat it or notThe story of a woman who travels a little slower than men. A woman who doesn't have a name, but who wants to do something big by carrying a message. That is, Each of us, if we insist, can do something importantI'm out of the big cycling scene, where the men's and women's teams arrive on big buses. I'd like to go back a little, to that essential cycling where a bike, good legs, sacrifice and organization are enough to achieve featsI'm Roman and, sorry, but I like to work hard (smiles, ed.). I've always been used to it.
From one victory to another. Among road racers, do you think Guazzini could be the equivalent of Ganna in the women's race?
The Hour Record is grueling, we saw it right with FilippoBut many men have tried it, and I wish many women who work two jobs could do it too. Maybe she, and not just her, could succeed. Obviously you need to have the support of your team otherwise I would say don't do it because I'm experiencing it first hand.I don't have a team and I spent a lot of time doing aerodynamic tests or working on material development. I had to study a lot of things or do a lot of calculations at my desk, also using my doctorate in pure mathematicsGanna is a phenomenon but he had the support of the team and of Bigham who had done a lot of testing, as well as the record before him. For me it was impossible to properly prepare for a time trial, an individual pursuit and an Hour record.I didn't have the time because I personally followed all the bureaucracy behind it. But I already knew this and for me it makes everything more stimulating to hit the target.
