A look at women's cycling with Maria Canins, two Tours won (opening photo), one Giro and one team time trial world championship. And to do so, let's start with a phrase that the champion told us some time ago. an interview on the eve of the OlympicsGabriele Gentili asked her if she still followed women's cycling.
Canins replied: «A little, yes… Maybe I'm going against the grain, but I've always thought that the big mistake in women's cycling has been to follow too much what the pros do, when instead you should choose your own path, simpler, more fun. Comparison with the opposite sex will always be a losing proposition., it's like comparing the men's 100-meter race in athletics to the women's, it will always be the first to attract.
«I don't understand how they do it I couldn't stand running with those earphones always in my ears. I liked running and inventing, one day it went well and the next maybe not, but that way it was more fun."
Do you still think that trying to compare women's cycling to men's cycling is wrong after such a busy year for women's cycling?
For me, everything is fine, the comparison is there, but it shouldn't be too much. It ends up that with too many competitions we get tired and the athletes get tired, Because they have the same schedule as men, but there are fewer of them. What we've witnessed has been a truly packed season of races.
Do too many races end up boring?
If you never stop, there comes a time when you get tired, when you stop having fun, because at least for me, that's where it all starts: from having fun. And maybe you'll end up giving up. You need to have time for yourself. Let's remember that we are talking about young girls.
With the Vuelta gradually increasing its stages, we will soon have three major Tours for women too. Did you follow the presentation of the next one? Tour Femmes?
Not too much, but I know that there isn't much of a climb. At least that's what they told me. That there is only one mountain stage.
It's true that there's only one stage—among other things, you climb Aspin and Tourmalet—but it's a very tough route for us. There's plenty of climbing, and it's hard to find a stage for pure sprinters...
In fact, there's very little that's flat in France. The French plain is always a bit hilly. However, I am pleased that there are such prestigious high mountain stages. In general I like this modern cycling, it has returned more attacking as in the past
However, compared to the past, a great leap forward has been made…
Sure, there is no comparison to us. Hat She keeps me informed and tells me that for a few years now, there's even been some serious money going around for girls; it's a whole different world. We were the racing enthusiasts. Today, in addition to good salaries, I see buses, masseurs, important staff... Beautiful.
And would Maria Canins have liked to race in this cycling team?
No – the South Tyrolean replies dryly – and the first reason why I say no is that I wouldn't have been able to accept someone driving me from the car"Go, wait, attack." For me, cycling was like playing cards. And I lost a lot of races... Sometimes I made mistakes, but I followed my legs. I also had my sports director who told me to wait, and maybe I didn't listen to him, but there weren't the same constraints as today. And then I don't like little radios.
A concept you also expressed last time…
Did you see how beautiful the World Cup was? With the Van Vleuten which, half dead, managed to stay attached to the others and, coming back from behind, passed them all without them being able to do anything more. Do you think this would have happened if they had radios? And had they told those in front about the gaps or what was happening behind? Or the Austrian who won the Olympics. Today, athletes without radios are like bees wandering in search of the right flower.
Clear thought, we think we understood: professional and avant-garde cycling, but without a radio?
Take the headphones off and cycling would be easier again, otherwise it becomes a bit like playing video games. If you want to win, however, you have to be careful, you have to dare. For example, I ran in front for two reasons: one, because I was clumsy in the group. And two, because while I was there I was always checking who was taking the pictures, who was there, who wasn't there, who was well.
Masseurs, trainers, sports directors… would you have liked to have these professionals at your side?
I came from cross-country skiing, and back then, massages weren't even known. When I started cycling, they asked me, "Maria, do you want a massage?" And I replied, "A massage? And why?" I remember that at a Giro del Veneto I saw a 19 year old girl doing them and at 30 I had never done themAnd the same goes for nutritionists. I've always liked to eat everything, but in moderation... As I still do today, by the way.
And on the preparation front?
I did it alone. I came from other sports, as I said. Even before cross-country skiing, there was running. Running is the foundation. I basically took the theories of running and applied them to cycling: sprints, repetitions, distances… I did it myself. I remember placing your fingers at your throat to check your pulse. Then came the heart rate monitor, and that was a big step forward.
So you used certain equipment?
Yes, yes. Mind you, I'm not against evolution. In fact, I like it, especially technical evolution. If girls feel they need a trainer, nutritionist, or something else to be successful, it's right that they turn to them.
Technical evolution…
I've always liked it and it still fascinates me. I'm all for innovation. I was the first to use clipless pedals and have a computer on the handlebars. This way I could calculate how much time was left to the intermediate sprint, to the finish line... The same goes for clothing. Today, the clothes are super technical. And it's right that they don't still go around in the van with their outfits open to dry on the seats for the next day. No, no... I like this evolution and this organization.
