As well as Zana among men, Not even Elisa Balsamo will be able to defend the tricolour jerseyThe fall to the Ride London Classic It has been out of action for exactly a month and if the broken scaphoid was a relatively easy accident to manage, the jaw fracture still requires a demanding recovery.
So to keep her company, in the same way we had looked for her at the time of put the rainbow jersey back up for grabs conquered in Leuven, this time We asked them to tell us what it meant to live this last year with the Italian flag on our shouldersThe statistics speak of five individual victories and one team time trial, plus various placings behind the usual Wiebes.
When Elisa returns to racing she will no longer have the tricolour jersey and also the team will be dressed in the new Lidl-Trek colors, which will be unveiled in Bilbao on the eve of the Tour de France.
You had already put away the rainbow jersey, how does it feel to put away the tricolor one?
It has a bit of an effect, because it was a beautiful shirt to wear. I was particularly proud of it, because it truly represents our country. My team put the Italian flag on the entire shirt, not just a small portion, and that made me represent Italy. I thought that was really cool.
Zana spoke about the great visibility that comes from wearing the Italian flag.
That's what we were saying. With the fact that my uniform was completely tricolour, I was very recognisable.I have to say that almost all the fans love Italy, so I have always received a lot of support and I have also noticed that the Italian champion is always highly appreciated.
Last year was the first Italian championship run wearing the Trek jersey and no longer that of the Fiamme Oro.
Exactly, it was my first year in Trek-SegafredoIt was nice to win because I did it wearing the rainbow jersey and maybe this gave me something moreRaising your arms to the sky with that shirt on doesn't leave anyone indifferent.
Are you sorry you can't defend the Italian flag?
I'm particularly sorry, precisely because We would have been a really good team, with very strong teammates for that type of journey.As for me, let's say that you always go to races to give your best. However, I know that this year's race will be particularly tough, so It certainly wouldn't have been as important a goal for me as it was last year.But the Italian championship is always a particular race, so maybe I could have entered a breakaway or I could have tried to to get a little head start before the final climbs, to help my teammatesIt would have been nice to work to keep this tricolor jersey in Trek. I'm sorry I can't be there.
What effect does it have on hearing the Mameli Anthem being played?
It always moves me. I have to say that every time I'm on the podium and listen to him, it almost brings tears to my eyes, because after a victory the emotion really builds up, it's so much. And listening to your nation's anthem is just like reach the peak of emotion.
On what occasion was wearing the tricolor jersey special?
For example, run the Trofeo Binda with the tricolour it was really beautifulIt's a very important race, a WorldTour event in Italy, with a lot of fans. I think that was one of the most intense moments with the tricolor.
A busy summer is theoretically ahead of you: how are you handling this unfortunate moment?
Certainly this injury made things a little more difficultI know I just have to be patient and wait for things to settle down. I have complete support from the team, and I have so many people who are close to me and helping me. I'd really like to thank them all. I know that there are important goals and I'm doing everything I can to come back and be ready.But I also know that if this isn't enough, the season is long and I hope that the years that await me on the bike are still many. So I'm really trying to keep calm.
Are you still able to train?
Right now I can only train indoors on the cycle mill and I also go to the gym a lotLet's say it's not easy to stay locked up at home, but that's what I have to do now. So I'll keep going like this and I'm also going for walksI'm doing everything I can to try and unwind a bit. Because working out at home isn't easy. I hope to see you again soon and that everything goes well.
