With the closing of the Giro d'Italia Women's cycling, and the consequent victory of Elisa Longo Borghini on Lotte Kopecky, the curtain opens on the road test of ParisThe two, who battled it out on the Giro roads until the final day and finished the race 21 seconds apart, will also be among the protagonists of the Olympic race. Alongside Elisa Longo Borghini there will be Elena Cecchini, who Sangalli he nominated as director in the runningThe Friulian athlete raced alongside Lotte Kopecky this Giro d'Italia Women's cycling, but in a few days the Belgian will become her rival. While Elisa Longo Borghini will be one of the spearheads of the Italian team.
"In SD Worx," he jokes, "there's more than one. Besides Kopecky, there will also be Vollering, for example. It's weird because you run with it all year round, but when I wear the blue jersey, that's all there is. Representing your country at the Olympics is a unique and immense opportunity."
The condition
For Elena Cecchini, this Giro d'Italia is the second stage race in this final part of the season. First she and her teammates from the Italian team were on retreat on San Pellegrino to work to be ready and in good condition for Paris.
«The first half of the season – he continues – It ended with the Vuelta, then I rested and recharged my batteries. Right during that break, in early May, we went to see the Olympic trials course with Sangalli. It was a very useful retreat, if we can call it that. because cycling on those roads gives you a better feeling. You know how to train and what to expect on race day."
You've put so many miles into your legs.
Yes, Guazzini and I went on a training camp, weather aside (she says still laughing, ed.) we trained well. The return to racing was at the Tour of Britain, in short, the training and preparation period was intense.
At the end of which the Olympic call-up arrived.
It's always a pleasure and for me it was also a seasonal goal. I'm very happy to be here and to have these three companions by my side. (Persico, Balsamo, and Longo Borghini, ed.) I think we can do very well no matter how the match unfolds.
And what can we expect from the Olympic race?
I think the pre-race meeting, the one the night before, could last up to three hours. It's a beautiful path and very open to all possibilitiesI also did Rio in 2016, but I knew it would be a battle between climbers. In Paris, the girls who do well in the Ardennes will be able to compete, or if the race is less tough, the athletes aiming for the Classics will be in front.
With a reduced, or rather very reduced, audience.
There will be 65 of us starting, 50 of whom can easily aim for the podium. From my point of view, I'm super motivated, because I think it will be a very tactical raceWith a thrilling finale as you pass by the Musée d'Orsay and the Eiffel Tower.
Route divided into two parts?
Basically, yes. At the beginning there will be the stretch that leads to the Paris circuit. They say it's flat but it's not, we'll be climbing several hills and it won't be easyThe easiest part from an altimetric point of view didn't even have a tree around it, if it's a hot day you risk suffering a lot.
Then we get to the circuit.
It won't be like last year's World Cup in Glasgow, but very different. Fewer curves but demanding with the climb of Montmartre in cobblestonesA two-minute effort, therefore for Classics athletes.
It's difficult to control the race, however, even if you are the maximum number allowed: four.
In fact, you never know what will come out in the final circuit. There will be few nations with a single leader, one will be BelgiumWe don't know if the Netherlands will have a designated captain. We'll have to take advantage of these situations and behave as a team, as usual.
Do you think a large group will be able to break away in the first part of the race?
I definitely think so, especially after Tokyo. Kiesenhofer's victory gave many people hope. On the other hand, I would say that many teams will raise their attention and control the game well.Nations like Denmark or Australia, which have nothing to lose, will attack immediately. It will be up to us, Persico and me, to get into the breakaways and not collaborate if there is a group that is not right.Chasing would halve the team's size, and there's no guarantee you'll be able to close the deal. So you have to plan ahead.
You and Persico are upfront. What role could Balsamo have?
The injury she suffered has affected her approach to this part of the season. But the prompt recovery and the call-up by Sangalli are significant dataShe'll be the one who has to hold out, ideally running alongside Wiebes. If we sprint to the finish, we'll bet everything on her.
