In these days of retreat in Spain, Sofia Bertizzolo she is already having confirmation of the first impressions that had led her to sign the contract with the FDJ United-Suez for next season. A significant transfer that perhaps went unnoticed, given the 28-year-old from Bassano del Grappa's outstanding teamwork skills.
A role he held, knowing how to carve out space for himself in various races, in the four years with the UAE ADQ Team, which he saw born and grow from the beginning, up to the status recognized especially in 2025 with the arrival and victories of Longo Borghini. Now Bertizzolo's challenge moves to France In what the UCI rankings deemed the best team this year, managing to break the SD Worx Protime hegemony after many years. The deciding factor was Demi Vollering (back at the top of the individual rankings) with a high-level supporting cast. We took the opportunity to understand from Sofia what her tasks will be. and how he is experiencing this period of his career.
Let's get straight to the current situation. How was your first encounter with the FDJ?
The impression was really good. In a word I would say that it is an effective team.It is performance-focused, has a professional and united environment, where Athletes and staff share all phases of the day together. Already when my passage was made official, many of my companions had welcomed me.
In essence, can we say expectations were met?
Exactly. I've always seen the FDJ jersey in the peloton since I've been racing. It's a long-standing team that has always had a solid plan and a historic staff. It gives me confidence to be in a team that knows how to be in today's cycling.. Then the materials are top notch. I've spoken to them before, and I'm happy to be here. We are all aware of our potential.
Have you already talked about the role you'll have?
In 2026 I should return to racing a Grand Tour, where the team already has a solid base and a project for stage races in general. However I will mainly focus on the classics, which are more flexible, even though there is a great captain like Demi for that type of race. In the classics they needed more help and experience, where every girl at the start will have to know how to stay alertWe will have to be completely ready.
After many years you leave the UAE. What is your budget?
It's been an intense 4 years. I'm leaving one of the best teams in the WorldTour that has set high standards that other teams they are chasingThe first two years were almost transitional; we had a different approach to racing. There was a strong leader like Bastianelli who did very well. In the third year, there was a change that led to this year's team, where another strong leader like Longo Borghini.
How did you experience these changes?
From the inside, things haven't always been easy. Sometimes I felt a discontinuity only from a managerial point of view because there was no basic plan.It was hard to get a certain consistency and it was challenging for everyone because we were starting from scratch almost every year. I think it was normal in a new team and in fact Now it's not like that anymore, but maybe I needed to change.
Were you looking for a little extra security?
I'd talk more about personal motivations, but women's cycling has changed a lot these days. Even moving to another team means wasting mental energy. However, I believe that these situations can lead to new things, where stimulating compromises can be found.
Aside from this transfer, how does Sofia Bertizzolo feel about having an agent?
From the second renewal with the UAE I started to wonder if it was necessary to have such a figure following meI realized that a prosecutor is useful for many reasons. I am therefore happy to have started working with Giovanni Lombardi. I hit it off with him right away, even though he told me he had no experience with women. But he does have some experience in general, and I'm actually honored that he's spoken highly of me and that I've become one of his very first athletes.
You said earlier that you'll be racing a Grand Tour again. Do you have any other goals for next year?
I haven't done any major stage races this year and I've done very few of the others. In May I got hurt and I still suffered psychologically because of these injuries. When you get back to the group it's like being in a washing machine because there's so much hustle and bustle and no one is slowing down. In 2026 I hope for a better season and to do well with the team, then we'll see the rest later.
