After the winter months of preparation for the new season, Ilaria Sanguineti has already pinned the 2022 number back on her back, after a 2021 that ended with a bang by launching the sprint to her teammate Elisa Balsamo, in the rainbow jersey, concluding with a fantastic victory on English soil.
Now we are here in Spain, warm under the sun, in front of a coffee, ready to start the first seasonal retreat of the Valcar-Travel & Service in GandiaIlaria is relaxed because last Sunday she broke the ice by crossing the finish line second after Marta Bastianelli, at Vuelta CV Feminas.
Second place behind Marta Bastianelli tastes like a good start to 2022 Valcar-Travel&Service's plan was to give Consonni a sprint, which unfortunately fell For Sanguineti, 2022 will be at the service of her teammates, with some space for herself
Second place behind Marta Bastianelli It feels like a good start Valcar's plan was to lead the sprint to Consonni, who unfortunately crashed 2022 at the service of her companions, with some space for herself
Yaya, how did the premiere go?
What can I say… As a seasonal debut, excellent sensations. With agree, Gasparini Vigie and I have known each other since last year, so we already knew how to move, it's a shame about the falls. Gasparrini crashed with 3 kilometers to go and Consonni crashed 150 meters from the finish line—a disaster! As expected, we reached the finish line with a compact group ready to sprint. I was in first position to launch Consonni, unfortunately involved in the fall a few meters from the finish line.
And what did you do?
I continued my sprint to get the best possible result for the team, finishing second. Personally, I wanted to be ready immediately, as far as I'm concerned I think I broke the ice, a good start to the season that will certainly motivate me to achieve my next goals.
What do you expect from 2022?
I would like to immediately demonstrate my worth, continuing to help the team as I have done up to now, but at the same time I would like give myself some nice personal satisfactionHonestly, I'm taking 2022 day by day, because today I can be very happy and tomorrow I might not be able to make any progress. But in the end... There's always a part of me that expects something, even when I say I don't expect anything!
And what about your goals?
My goals for 2022 are definitely to starting strong already in the Northern Classics, to then maybe take a breather and start again in style for the Giro and Tour. Obviously as a goal I have the blue jersey in my sights, I would like to return to honor that beautiful jersey.
And a thought for 2023?
I don't think too much about 2023, because as I said before I live day by day, but I don't deny that every now and then I glance into the future and honestly I'm old now (Ilaria will turn 28 in April, ed.)!! One thing is certain, I would really like to confirm myself at high levels this year for make a big leap in 2023, I often think about this.
Everyone has a dream, what's yours?
The race I would like to win is my own dream, vI would like to win the first stage of the Tour de France and therefore wear the first yellow jerseyIt's a symbol that has been missing from cycling for too long...
One last curiosity, mascot or lucky charm?
I have a mascot, a lucky charm, obviously Stitch my French bulldogI'm really fond of him because since I was little I always dreamed of having a dog like him. I think he is my “animal” reincarnation, my soulmate.He's a joker like me, but above all he's a big lazybones like me!
