Rachele Barbieri moves through the LIV stand at theItalian Bike Festival with the shy steps of the guest and the eyes fixed on him (the opening is with Marta Villa of LIV). For the European omnium champion è the well-deserved welcome, snatched between one training session and another in Montichiari, on the road to the Italian track championships, the Three Days of Aigle and last but not least the world championships in Paris.
The transition to the LIV Racing Xstra It was a change of life and perspective. And so now, telling the journalists present, the words that come up most often are honor, responsibility and organization. And even though she admitted at the beginning of the year that she would have signed up for a season like this one, which also brought her the bronze in the European road race, you understand that deep down there is the healthy dissatisfaction of top-class athletesThe driving force that pushes them to demand more and more from themselves.
And so, aside from the catwalk and the story of the five bikes at her disposal, we return to a private chat with Rachele on Monaco Day. When the blue train took over the race and undid the Dutch one and launched Elisa Balsamo in the sprint against Lorena Wiebes. We didn't win, but the way the Italians handled the final was noticed and appreciated by all. The story of Giorgia Bronzini In this regard, this is why we ask Rachele to tell us about that ending.
How did it go?
It was a very beautiful ending, let's say it was planned from afar. Even before leaving, the idea of arriving in a sprint was the last optionWe wanted to try to attack so as not to push Lorena into a sprint, but at the same time we knew that Elisa could compete and so even in the sprint we didn't feel defeated.
To attack, you attacked…
The race was quite close, we tried to take away some escapes, but it didn't work out. So at that point We went 100 percent metallic on Elisa's sprint. And it was wonderful to see her again.
You can't see much from inside...
It was nice to live it, but of course when you're competing you understand a little lessSeeing her again afterwards was exciting. My classmates also told me that we made a really nice train. On the left was the Dutch one and on the right ours. We were afraid that with the athletes they had at the start it would be difficult to create a train at their level, instead we demonstrated that ours was even better.
Did it turn out the way you imagined it?
It was a matter of moments. We launched the train very well. with Arianna Fidanza and Elena Cecchini who did a beautiful job before entering in the final curve, where Maria Giulia took the lead (Confalonieri, ed.).
Then?
He continued Barbara (Guarischi, ed.), who did an exceptional job, because he tried to hold on as long as possible. And at that point Yaya (Sanguineti, ed.) left and then it was up to me to do the final work.
What did you have to do?
I was told to keep going straight until you reach the finish line, to try to make an explosive sprint and launch Elisa at the best speed and in the best condition. That's what I did, then honestly, for a moment I stood up. Because a bit of tiredness, a bit of everything... Then I saw that I was there and I said to myself: "Why not?". And I tried to give the push that allowed me to finish third..
Unexpected or could it have happened?
I'm very happy, even if as I said and as I declared in all the interviews, That wasn't my goal. I just wanted to leave Elisa in the best possible condition.It was a great sprint, and above all it was great to experience it, because from the moment we reached the finish line it wasn't clear who had won. Elisa looked at Lorena, Lorena looks at Elisa.
And you?
Elisabetta (Borgia, mental coach of the national team, ed.) was there he made us we saw the video and we were really all together waiting for the final resultElisa's sincerity and honesty were also very beautiful as she thanked us all. "Anyway," she said, "I thank you so much for what you've done." It's always a pleasure, when you work for someone, to be recognized so much.It was a wonderful European Championship and a great experience for me. It was the first experience in the elite category.
Is it possible that on that train there was also the harmony of years spent together in the quartets?
I had certainly never raced with them on the road, in such an important race. But we showed a lot of harmony And in my opinion, this lies in the professionalism of us girls. When we are opponents, we slaughter each other to the point of impossibility. But when we are in a team together, we are always able to put aside all rivalries and we know how to turn it into strength.
