A day at the Giro-E, on the roads of the Shark

Taking part in the Giro d'Italia is the dream of all riders, but also of cycling enthusiastsPerhaps some of us occasionally dream of riding the Corsa Rosa, perhaps as a domestique for a great champion. What if I said this is partly possible?

In fact, I participated in the second stage of the Giro-E (Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto-Messina), going through the last 60 kilometers of the day's stage of the Giro d'ItaliaI was part of the Enit team, one of the 15 teams of the 2022 edition, but completely female, led by triathlete Alessandra Fior (partner of Davide Cassani, former coach of the national cycling team). It was important to immediately form a group, get to know each other, joke, be friends.

The 2022 edition, due to the departure from Hungary, is composed of 18 stages, for a total distance of 1.033,1 kilometers, 24.780 meters of altitude difference and 57,39 average kilometers per day.

Before starting with Alessandra we planned the team strategyDuring the stage we would have had to face three tests in which we had to maintain a certain speed (different for each team), in order to take points to take home one of the Giro jerseys and, in the finale, the captain of each team would go for the sprint. We therefore had to remain united, help each other and be as precise as possible.

Between the sea and the fans

Our bikes, of the Black and pink electric elm, despite being very heavy they were quite smooth and comfortable. As soon as the speed of 25 km/h was reached, the battery was disconnected, according to the regulations, and you had to pedal using only the strength of your legs.On a stage like this, completely flat, we were often going over 30 km/h and so we had to rely mainly on our own strength. 

Along the way, the Sicilian sea and the beautiful landscapes illuminated by the sun made everything even more pleasantThere was a great atmosphere in the group, everyone tried to help each other and everyone was ready to laugh and joke. On the side of the road the fans, who were waiting for the Giro d'Italia professionals to pass by, cheered you on and encouraged you thus managing to give you a real push towards the finish line. 

Nibali's roads

As I approached Messina, I thought that those were the roads on which Nibali trained and that after a couple of hours he too would pass, for the last time as a professionalIf I was riding that bike, on the Giro d'Italia route, it is thanks to him and to the passion that he has passed on to me since I was a child, leading me to get closer and closer to cycling both as a fan and as a sportswoman. If I had known that upon arrival it would have announced his retirement at the end of the season, probably, I would have lived those streets with a bit of melancholy. 

Assisted pedaling

The last few kilometers were a bit tougher. I had helped some of my companions to get back into the group several times, breaking away and pushing and then returning with themAt a certain point, around a bend, I found myself facing a small climb and, then, I decided to activate the battery.

It was a very special feeling. Initially, I felt a real push that immediately allowed me to reach the maximum speed limit and exceed it.. The engine assistance certainly makes things much easier when going uphill and takes away much of the effort, allowing you to tackle the stretch at high speed. 

At the finish

When I reached the last kilometer, Simona, a girl from my team, came up to me and said: "We've arrived, let's enjoy the last few meters"And pushed by the wings of the crowd, as if we were real cyclists in the Giro d'Italia, we crossed the finish line with smiles and a little tiredness in our legs.