She always sees the glass half full and she's right. Eleonora Ciabocco just finished the Tour de l'Avenir Femmes better than a year ago and can gain further convictions for the next appointments in the blue jersey (instagram photo at the beginning).
In 2024 the twenty-one year old from the Marche region closed the “little Tour” for U23 in sixth place, more than seven minutes behind Marion Bunel. This year, however, he started with two second-place finishes in the first two stages. He then finished fifth overall. After being second, just a handful of seconds behind the yellow jersey until yesterday's two semi-stages, Ciabocco had a much tougher time this time against two more climbing-oriented riders, Holmgren and Bunel (first and second, respectively, with the roles reversed from twelve months ago). Now comes a period of almost breathless living between Picnic PostNL and the national team.
Everything in the end
It was an intense Friday on the roads of the Avenir Femmes. After Thursday's rest day, the final day was split in two at La Rosière, where the race started a year ago. In the morning, the 40-kilometer semi-stage straddles the Alps and crosses the border into the Aosta Valley. (36 kilometre transfer for the official start from Morgex, climbing the Piccolo San Bernardo before doing it again during the race on the return journey), then in the afternoon the other half-stage with a 10-kilometer time trial. In total, Ciabocco and the other athletes' legs felt a 3.000-meter elevation gain.
"We started strong," Eleonora said as she returned with the Italian group from France, "and I expected someone to attack early. In fact, Bunel pushed the pace on Colle San Carlo, climbing alone and gaining ground on the descent. We were all together behind, but as we descended towards La Thuile, we started to lose contact with each other. From then on I practically did the whole race alone and like me many others, apart from Holmgren who had already returned to Bunel, arriving at the finish line in two.
«It was at that moment – continues Ciabocco – that I wasted a lot of time chasing those in front of me who took advantage of their numerical superiority before being left alone. Obviously, the time gained on the way back to La Rosière. The uphill time trial wasn't bad, but you have to deal with what's left. I can say that I come away with greater awareness and more experience in general and compared to last year. This year I was more prepared to be captain because I had also been the leader in some races with my team."
World Taste
Only the high note was missing. Ciabocco deserved to return from France with an important result although we should not disdain the second place in the uphill prologue in Tignes and the one in the first road stage in Saint-Galmier, as well as the other four top 10s. This week of Avenir Femmes can be considered an appetizer of the U23 World Championships in Rwanda.
«The level was high – he analyses – so much so that in the initial fractions, or the first four in line if you prefer, there was no space and terrain to make a hard race or a bit of difference on the pure climbersWe've always finished together. At the Avenir, the long climbs decided the overall, while at the World Championships there will be shorter, more manageable climbs, even if it will be a tough race.
«I know we should be on the road in a few – explains Ciabocco – and there could be the same opponents with the addition of a few girls who weren't in France. I think about Cat FergusonOn paper, it may seem like a difficult path for her, but we know she's strong and capable of anything when she's well. But I also think of Celia Gery, who won three stages at L'Avenir and made a great impression on me. It is no coincidence that France and Great Britain will go to the U23 World Cup with full or almost full squads».
Ardeche, Rwanda and… Ardeche
The national team's contingent for the African World Cup includes the maximum number allowed for both men and women. In the women's group it is not yet clear whether there will be a place reserved for an Under 23. (who we remember will run a race all for themselves for the first time in history), but interpreting the words of the citizen Velo after the Giro Women's cycling it would seem that that place could be assigned to Ciabocco.
If answers were needed from Avenir, then we can say that they have arrived. And maybe it's really worth bringing the Marchigiana to Rwanda. It's true that she'll be running alone, but it's equally true that she won't be the only one in those conditions, and the idea of bringing home a medal isn't far-fetched. Now all that's missing is official confirmation, but in the meantime... Eleonora already knows that the program that awaits her could be a circle.
«I'll spend a few days at home – he tells us – then I will race the Tour de l'Ardeche with Picnic PostNL (from September 9th to 14th, ed.). At that point If I were to race the world championship, I know I would start with the time trial group on September 17th or 18th. So I would spend a week in Rwanda before racing (the U23s race on September 25, ed.).
«In theory – concludes Ciabocco – I should also run the European Championship in Ardeche (October 3, ed.) and the team match could serve that purpose as well. However, there are still a few things that need to be confirmed and considered. One of these would be the recovery capacity between returning from Rwanda and the continental review. Let's take it one step at a time, though. The basis of everything we have to wait for the final call-up to the national team. Of course I hope it arrives, I'm ready."
