BERGAMO – Yesterday's fourth place at the Aprica finish line is no coincidence, even if you are riding with your headlights off among the big names of the Giro Women's cycling. It comes from a good period Eleonora Ciabocco, who in just over a week, has achieved his best results since he became proThird place in the Italian championship also earned her the tricolor jersey among the U23s, confirming a further step in her growth.
"The second stage," the 21-year-old from Picnic PostNL, who is competing in her third women's Giro, tells us, "was very fast. At the beginning, you had to be careful and try to stay ahead, then There was a big fight at the start of the final climb, especially in the first few kilometres where the gradients were steepest and most severe.I came to try out the Aprica stage with Francesca (Barale, ed.), so we knew what to expect. I've been in good shape lately, and I feel like I'm improving. I was confident, but I didn't expect to go so fast. It's always a question mark when you run such difficult and intense stages».
«Initially – continues Ciabocco, making a nice reference to her colleagues – I expected us to stay in a larger group, but the speed was really high at the start of the climb. I even tried to follow a couple of attacks, trying to do something, but I was alone.. Persico then imposed a great pace in the final and at that point I only thought about my sprint. I'm happy with my result, but also that Soraya (Paladin, ed.) got a good third place, even though he was ahead of me, because I really like him as an athlete. We still have many stages ahead of us, let's hope we continue like this."
Navigating by sight
Testing the waters with the Italians of the Dutch team, during the team presentation on Saturday, the impression was that they wanted to focus more on the general stages.
«We at Picnic – explains Eleonora – will live day by day. To this Giro Women's cycling I didn't set out with the goal of the white jersey as many people asked me toIf it comes, all the better, but the level is very high overall and among the young players. As a team, we've focused on partial wins for now, trying to do our best while staying in the mix. I'm satisfied with my season so far. I did well in the Italian championship and I hope to continue having good legs. in the next few days, then we'll see."
I present to you Monte Nerone
From the day of the presentation of the route to today, insiders and especially athletes have identified the seventh and penultimate stage which ends at the top of the Monte Nerone the crucial point of the Giro Women's cyclingThis mountain in the Marche region (in the province of Pesaro-Urbino and on the border with Umbria) has only been tackled once in the past during the 16th stage of the 2009 Giro d'Italia. It was climbed from Pianello, while This year the slope is climbed from Pian di Molino and Serravalle di Carda, but it doesn't change the effort that awaits the girls in the competition.
"It's true that I'm from the Marche region," Ciabocco begins, "but I'm from the province of Macerata, and these aren't my usual training routes. I did the reconnaissance alone with my boyfriend Marco a week before the Italian championship, at a time when it was difficult to connect with the team between races. The climb is split in two. The first part isn't too tough, then it's all in the sun. When I tried it the weather wasn't the best, but I think the heat could become a factor and make the difference.».
Breathless
«The last 8 kilometers – continues Eleonora in her analysis – They are really very demanding. They always rise around 8-9% with peaks in double digits.The second part doesn't really offer a moment to catch your breath. I found the wind stronger in the middle of the stage, but that might be another factor to consider. We'll check it out a few days before.
For Ciabocco it will be the decisive stage because it has been tough from the beginning. «The group can explode after just 20 kilometres and then I think that the accumulated fatigue could make a further differenceIf the weather is as hot as last year, we'll be really tired at the end, so only our legs will count. However, I think that also the Pianezze stage (scheduled for tomorrow, ed.) will be able to make a selectionThis climb and Monte Nerone will be important for the general classification."
Blue horizon
At the Avenir Femmes of 2024, Ciabocco had been awarded the rank of captain of the young Italy, proving herself to be up to the task and finishing sixth in the standings. This year the world and continental events present courses suited to her, but salt'European in Ardeche there are no problems, the trip to the World Cup in Rwanda seems to have moreThe Italian contingent will go to Africa in a reduced format and for the U23 girls (who would be competing in their first separate world championship) there seemed to be no place, even if nothing is definitive yet.
«Perhaps – says Eleonora – There could be some news regarding the Italian call-ups to the U23 World CupThat's what I heard, even though they didn't tell me anything. I heard that other U23 national teams, who initially said they wouldn't make the trip, are trying to organize themselves to bring at least a couple of U23 players. I can imagine a reduced number for many nations, though. If Italy could bring some athletes, it would be great. I hope it can be like that..
«Having said that – concludes Ciabocco smiling – In the last two years I have never been to the World Cup or the European Championship, so I won't say anything out of superstition.If a call-up were to arrive I would certainly be very happy, knowing that a lot can come from this. Giro Women's cyclingNow I'm just thinking about performing well and we'll talk about it again later."
