Анастасия Карбонари is coming out of the first Giro in the jersey Valcar-Travel&Service with some escapes under his belt, as it was an endless escape lor last year to point it out at Capo ArzeniThe Cyrillic name is the frivolous way to remember that last winter Anastasia Carbonari took the Latvian passport and a few weeks ago he won the national road title. For this reason he runs in his red shirt with white band and is rightly proud of it.
But what was it like winning the national championship in Latvia? Who did they race against? Where did they race? And how was it organized? So, taking advantage of a quieter evening at the Giro d'Italia, immediately after the escape from Reggio Emilia, we asked her a few questions.
“We left after 20 kilometers,” she admits, exhausted. “They caught us at minus 8. We were on the run for almost 80 kilometers, on a very flat route and in a beastly heat.. The typical stage where I go in the breakaway (smiles, ed.). But it was hot in Latvia too..."
Here, tell me. When did the Latvian passport arrive?
Last year, after the summer. I did everything in Rome, while in October I went on holiday up there, to revisit the places where my mother grew up.
What about the national championships?
The team organized the flight from Bergamo. For assistance during the race I had the national team coach, but I was alone. I also went for the time trial and came in third.
Alone even in daily organization?
I was an athlete 100 percent. I cooked by myselfI trained in the morning and in the afternoon I hung out with some friends who run in Spain: Lia Laizane and Lina Svarinska.
In the days leading up to the race, training with my Latvian friends who run in Spain Svarinska, 21, races in Spain with Team Farto
In the days leading up to the race, training with my Latvian friends who run in Spain Svarinska, 21, races in Spain with Team Farto
How do you train in a place you don't know?
When we went in the summer with the family, I initially brought the bikeThen I stopped going, because it always happened in August and I had to train or run. But there are the girls from Latvian Cycling who run there and explained the routes to us.
How many of you were there on race day?
About 70 girls started. It wasn't just us Latvians who ran, but it was the Championship of the Baltic RepublicsRasa Leleivyte, who runs with theAromitalia-Vaiano. He beat me in sprint and won the Lithuanian championshipI won the Latvian one.
Kuldiga is a tourist town of about 30 thousand inhabitants Ligo is the solstice festival, it is celebrated all night with dancing, barbecues and rites of pagan origin When it's late at night, but there's still light, you risk losing track of time.
Kuldiga is a tourist town of about 30 thousand inhabitants Ligo is the solstice festival: all night long dancing, barbecues and pagan rites When it's late at night, but there's still light, you lose track of time.
Fast track?
We ran in Kuldiga, Latvia. There isn't even a meter of flat land there, but there aren't any big climbs.First there was a not too hard straight section, a 12 kilometer straight in the woods comes to mind. Then we entered on the circuit, with two short climbs and sections of cobblestonesThat was a really technical one. The two Lithuanian riders from Vaiano went ahead to set the pace and effectively broke away from the group.
What did you think of the organization?
Very different from here, organized by the Baltic Federation. The audience consisted of the athletes' parents and those directly involved in the various races. There were also curious onlookers, because Ligo, the solstice festival, is celebrated on the night between June 23rd and 24th Which is also a national holiday. A bit like Ferragosto in Italy. We have a white night, with barbecues and other activities. Kuldiga is a tourist town, quite importantThe strange thing is that in this period It's light until very late and then the sun rises again at 3 in the morning.
On the podium of the overall race, victory for Rasa Leleivyte, second Carbonari This is the Latvian podium: 1st Carbonari, ahead of Rozlana and Laizane
On the podium of the overall race, victory for Rasa Leleivyte, second Carbonari This is the Latvian podium: 1st Carbonari, ahead of Rozlana and Laizane
To lose track of time?
I had some difficulty. Because It was still daytime and I still found myself wandering around the house at 11pm., while I should have already been sleeping.
How was the awards ceremony?
A little embarrassing. When the anthem started, I didn't understand, especially. Latvian is different from Russian and quite complicated. The three Baltic Republics have different languages and do not understand each otherThey are different linguistic groups. When my mother was here, we spoke Russian. Families of Russian origin have always tried to keep their language, so I speak Russian but not Latvian.And of course, the awards ceremony was held in Latvian.
And what did it mean to win that jersey?
I really cared about it. Latvia is my second home; my grandparents, who are now deceased, were there. I stopped by to say hello to them and they would have been really happy.That's why I left the winner's diploma up there. It helps keep the memory alive, it was really excitingMy mother was very happy, I could feel that she was tense, because I was up there alone. But it was an experience that made me grow a lot, for which Valcar invested and I am grateful to them.
Will you also play in the World Cup wearing the Latvian jersey?
Unfortunately not. I didn't know there was a rule that In the first year of changing nationality you cannot do itWe'll talk about it next year, this is what Raivis Belohvosciks (pro from 1999 to 2011, ed.) who is the federal coach told meThat's why I'm enjoying the jersey; it's a nice reminder. It's been a really great year so far.
