While Magdeleine Vallieres surprised everyone in Kigali, going on to win a world title that represents one of the biggest sporting surprises of this year, from the other hemisphere Letizia Borghesi he struggled to hold back the tears of emotion. Teammates? No, much more, best friends, through a bond that has been built over the years.. Since the arrival of the blue at theEF Education Oatly, when his English was still halting and the Canadian he helped her, supported her, making her whole approach easier.
«We have shared many experiences in these four years – says the thirty-year-old – she helped me and I raised her a bit like my little sisterIn 2023, we also organized a high-altitude training camp together in Trentino. We trained together and even competed a lot."
How has it evolved over these four years to reach the top?
Let's say she's always been a simple girl, very focused on what she has to do and always with big ambitions. The thing that struck me immediately was that he always had the mentality of an athlete, an enormous concentration, working harder than anyone else because he had a great desire to get there.Training, rest, she always tried to do everything to the best of her ability and she was finally rewarded for all her efforts.
Highlighting his performance, many said it was a reward for his efforts, even for the misfortunes he had experienced so far...
Let's be clear, he hasn't had any major injuries. But being Canadian, it's not easy to stand out. As a young girl, she found herself here in Europe, growing up alone. It's a difficult step to take, and this too has brought us closer. This year she's definitely reached a level she hadn't had before. I knew deep down that she would do well at the World Championships, and I kept telling her: "You'll see, you'll get on the podium, you'll get on the podium," and I think I was the only one who kept telling her that. Then she even went further, but let's just say the numbers she was putting up in training clearly said she had the level to compete for something big.
Was this the only thing that made you predict his venture?
The route was very suitable for his characteristics, because she's good when the race becomes a test of endurance, with all those climbs. It was a very demanding race and she also had the ability to get into the right breakaway and attack at the decisive momentIt wasn't a big surprise for me: winning was certainly not easy, but his level made me believe it.
How did you become convinced that this could be her big day?
I had a strong feeling when we went to race the Tour de Romandie, after the Tour when we couldn't start the race because the well-known story GPS on the bikes. For her it was the first race in which she could be the leader, after having run in support of the Grande Boucle Kerbaol. She knew she was arriving there in great condition and could also do well in the overall standings. Not starting had been a real blow, she was crying, I consoled her."Look, it's not all bad. Maybe you'd win, you'd finish ahead, and then at the World Cup they'd keep a closer eye on you. Instead, you'll see, in Rwanda you'll make up for it, you'll be an outsider, they won't take you into account, and you'll be able to checkmate everyone." And she laughed. I kept repeating it, and that's how it went.
He relies a lot on you, on your advice, on your experience…
We have always had a good relationship, we have shared many hours of cycling together, supporting each other in difficult times. And she too when this spring I managed to do good races in the classics with second place in Roubaix she was very happy. There is this mutual support that you definitely only get when you spend a lot of time together., in times of difficulty as well as in times of joy, because not all years have been easy.
Explain, please…
In 2023, when it looked like the team was going to fold, I remember that we were on retreat in Trentino together and we were worried about the future Because we had to change teams, and she was also very anxious: "I don't know now, I'll have to stop, I don't know how I'll find a team," because at that point she didn't even have many results to show for it. But she always responded with great dedication, and I too learned from her that when you work so hard, sometimes it seems like nothing's right, but suddenly things turn around and fate sometimes has big surprises in store.
Yet it hadn't been seen much, even though it had put together some good results this season...
He had never had the chance to prove it because anyway she was always a bit like the one who was supposed to help, so always a bit in the shadows. But when you have this desire to do things, sooner or later things turn in your favor.
Did you hear it right after the race?
Yes, of course, she couldn't believe it, she was very happy. We did nothing but scream, cry, laughIt was a great feeling.
Now your paths will divide, because you will move to Soudal…
Exactly, the Tre Valli was our last race together and it was a difficult moment, because we shared so much. She is like a sister and thinking of running for two different teams is certainly not easy, but in the end the shirts may be different, but the friendships remain and so we will definitely make up for it by organizing some training sessions or retreats together.
