Chiara Consonni's last victory was dated September 18th, at the Gp International d'Isbergues, the penultimate race with the Valcar jersey before opening the door to the UAE Team Adq. Last Sunday the Bergamo native raised her arms again in Helchteren, in Limburg between Belgium and Holland, in the Trofee Maarten Wynants (photo sportpic_agency at the beginning), after a month of absence from the road.
«I went to Canada for the Nations Cup on the track – she confirms – and I came back very late. So, After a very tense start to the season, I recovered a bitThe track gave me a good push of the pedal, and the break gave me a fresh feeling. All in all, everything was fine…».
We had spoken after the second place at Dwars door Vlaanderen, on the walls and in the wet…
Compared to that, this was a faster race, with a somewhat technical circuit. It reminded me of the Liberation, perhaps less harsh, but full of curvesIt was nice, I knew I had to keep up the pace because I hadn't raced since Roubaix, so I didn't know how I was doingPlus, there were two new girls on the "devo team," Pellegrini and Gillespie, who I'd never raced with. Overall, it was a great experience.
First win in May, new team: how's the season going?
I have many more certainties, in the meantime the way I am followedWhen I fell in Ghent and injured my knee, there were all the tools I needed to recover as best as possible: Tecar, a massage therapist, and a physiotherapist. Many things are made available to us to help us reach the top in the racesI have so many people following me, the doctor who writes to me every day. Since we're also Italian, the relationship is more friendly. I like it, I'm getting along really well with my classmates too. Marta (Bastianelli, ed.) is teaching me a lot and it's a shame that he's stopping, otherwise we would have had some more fun (laughs, ed.).
Have you tried to change her mind?
Yes, many times, but it didn't work. He's fed up with being told he can do another couple of years.. He's made up his mind now. With all he's won, he could have quit earlier. But seeing her again this year, I think she's one of the most feisty girls I've ever met.. Even when things are going badly, it really gives you an extraordinary boost.
How do you see Arzeni in this new WorldTour dimension?
The Cape is quieter than the Valcar. Before he covered many roles and perhaps he was a little less present, in the sense that he could pay less attention to individual things. Now he has the time to manage them betterThen I think he's also comfortable in the team, he needs to collaborate with other people who have very respectable CVs. I'm thinking of the other sporting directors, Marcello Albasini, Alejandro Gonzalez Tablas and Cristina San Emeterio. I see him calm, more aware of his means.
Will your next goal be the Giro?
Honestly (he pauses, ed.) I don't know if I will do it, also because the stages haven't been released yet. I'm definitely doing the Tour in preparation for the track world championships and maybe the road one., but I don't know anything about it yet. It's not that hard, but we'll have to see how I come back after this period of inactivity. I'd really like to be there, also because I have never done an elite road race in the national team, only as a junior. The Tour ends four days early, it would be perfect.
Do you think it's possible to have a double world championship – road and track – just a few days apart?
As he says Marco Villa, You have to prepare first and we have already started. When I'm at home, I try to go to the track as many times as possible. don't have any problems adapting when there will be double activityThey've made the schedule so close together, but we'll try. They're two things I like, and I hope to do both well.
You said you feel very followed. In what ways is this most evident?
There is no one thing in particular, it's in general the way this team is equipped. Now they gave us a ring called Ultrahuman, which helps you monitor your heart rate, your recovery rate, how much sleep you get, and how much sleep you get. We have all the tools at our disposal to help us achieve our best. The big bus has arrived at the Vuelta, the cook has arrived, and Erica Lombardi is here. who follows us for nutrition. In short, if you don't go, you can't blame anyone.
I probably got the wrong number. I thought I called Consonni, who was taking selfies during the SFR. They changed your number…
For the better, come on, but it's true (laughs loudly, ed.). We need to change…
What do we want to say to your brother Simone who is racing the Giro?
Let's hope he gets a victory in a major Giro too, damn it. They're all there wanting to win, but I hope something happens for him, also for his morale.. Let it unlock like Milan. My goodness, what a beast, guys. What a sprint did Johnny make?
Next race?
Return to Burgos, next week. But It means that when the Giro is in Bergamo, I will be far away and I'm a little sad about it.So now I'm going to work at home for a few more days, even if the weather is bad, and then I'll pack my next suitcase...
