A second place in the sprint behind Bastianelli on the first day and another in the time trial behind Ivanchenko, so Vittoria Guazzini gave a good push to bad thoughts, adding another Italian success to those of the FDJ Nouvelle AquitaineIt happened last week. at the Tour de Bretagne, the same one in which Martina Alzini also returned to success.
«It was needed for morale – she replies with her Tuscan cadence, not yet compromised by the Frenchman (Louis Lambin in the photo as the opening rider) – even though I went to the start confidently, because I knew there was a time trial. I was coming from the Nations Cup on the track in Glasgow and just a week of training at home, but it went wellAnd it's nice to have made my contribution after Marta Cavalli's victories at the Amstel e to the ArrowI followed it on TV, we didn't run together, it was nice. We could have met at Roubaix, but I didn't go.After last year’s disaster, I stayed away…”.
Passion for chrono
Guazzini spent the winter in recover from the fracture of the tibial malleolus suffered in the Mons en Pevele sector of the first Roubaix FemmesIt was first a matter of getting back on my feet. Then recovering full ankle joint. Then becoming able to independently engage and disengage the pedal. And only then could I think about getting back into shape. Consequently, the classics season was a bit of a struggle, with the exception of third place at Le Samyn.
«The classics remain my favorite terrain – he says – because I will certainly never be able to become a climber. The Bretagne classification came as a consequence of the time trial, which I like and suits me very well, although maybe I can improve to hold a little better on certain slopes."
Broken French
The fact that I migrated to France is not a problem, even though it came from the size of Valcar-Travel & Service which was more like a large family than to a sports group as an end in itself.
«I can't complain about anything – he says – there is a lot of organization and a good relationship with all the teammatesIt's true that Valcar was a family, but I'm happy anyway. We speak English, but it's clear that most of them are from there, so they speak French among themselves. I only try when I decide to be silly, because we're still at sea.When I'm there, I bring my computer with me. That way I can watch movies and, with the VPN, I can also watch Italian programs. I don't bring my guitar, though..."
Guazzini attacks at Le Samyn with Trek's Shirin Van Anrooij. Third at Le Samyn on March 1st behind Norsgaard and Consonni Still at Le Samyn, can you recognize them by their nails?
Guazzini attacks at Le Samyn with Trek's Shirin Van Anrooij. Third at Le Samyn on March 1st behind Norsgaard and Consonni Still at Le Samyn, can you recognize them by their nails?
Three Italian technicians
The time trial and the classics on one side and the track on the other make Tuscany one of the cornerstones of the national teams, on the road and on the track. And while last year everything passed through Salvoldi's hands, now there will be to get Sangalli to agree on the road, Villa on the track and Velo on the time trial.
«So far everything seems to be going well – he smiles – the technicians are in contact with each other and with my directors here in France, who are absolutely in favour of multidisciplinary workOn the road, I haven't done much yet, but I took part in the two training camps in Spain. Sangalli has always been with us, he gives us confidence and freedom, knowing that we have common goalsNothing is a given, you have to earn your place in the national team, but you know that if you work hard and perform well, there are no closed doors.
"On the track with Villa," he continues, "I raced at the Nations Cup in Glasgow, but I won't be in Canada or even Cali. In Canada because I'm in France these days with the team, which is very keen on the upcoming races. In Cali because it's during the European Road Championships. We've made a plan, though. In fact, on the track I will only race in European and World Championships, if he calls me.I've always spoken well with Marco, the team has never put a spoke in my wheels."
Giro? Unfortunately not.
Finally, regarding the competition program, the summer will definitely be full of commitments, even if the Giro d'Italia will be missing.
«And this – he admits – I'm a bit sad, because the European Under 23 Championships will be held at the same timeWe spoke with Paolo Sangalli and we decided to do them. So, after this cycle of races in France, I'll go home for a bit and then I'll start again with the RideLondon Classique, then the Women's cycling's Tour and the Italian championships. Always on the road, in short. And every time we meet with the Valcar gang it's like we're still togetherWe keep in touch. We joke among ourselves and also with the boss. We're on very good terms, we've just changed direction."
