Marta Cavalli was in Prato Nevoso yesterday the first Italian to cross the finish lineFourth at 1'53” behind Van der Breggen. About her Dino Salvoldi had spoken in recent days, saying that if he recovers from his recent ailments, he could be one of the four starters for Tokyo. A… trivial thing, in short, even if the prospect actually keeps her awake at night. She's laughing, but the tension is risingIt's all about objectives. And yesterday's placing could therefore be read in this light, at the centre of the first season with the Fdj-Nouvelle Aquitaine, In which he should have just learned, but he's burning the stages, with a series of results that really give us hope.
Congratulations, but let's proceed in order: what ailments have you had?
Thanks, but you're spoiled for choice. Basically, since Flanders, I haven't found the right form, but rather the consistency. Then it came to me. the knee problem in Belgium. Then I fell in Spain. And finally, before the Italian championships, it came out an intestinal virus that weakened me quite a bit. So I'm at the Giro d'Italia Donne without specific goals, especially knowing nothing about the Olympics.
What do the Olympics have to do with it?
If I knew I was going, I would make my peace with it and the Giro could be a great block of work. I absolutely care about it let the city and those who follow this sport know that I put all of myself into preparing and in training. However, being able to clearly define your goals helps you work better.
Yesterday's signal is encouraging, isn't it?
Definitely, after the Giro had started with another bit of bad luck. In the team time trial I punctured and in order not to lose ground, they left me behind. and I lost 2'12”. Now it's about recover stage by stage. Also because during the time trial our leader, Cecilie Ludwig, fell, we were 1'46" behind and she spent the evening in the hospital.
On the podium in Prato Nevoso, Van der Breggen with Moolman and Vollering, teammates at SD Worx Behind Marta Cavalli, 37" behind, was Erica Magnaldi An unusual misstep for Longo Borghini, who crossed the finish line 8'30" behind. The rainbow jersey's attack left no room for escape: the 4th Giro is one of her final objectives.
On the podium at Prato Nevoso, Van der Breggen with Moolman and Vollering Behind Marta Cavalli, 37" behind, was Erica Magnaldi An unusual misstep for Longo Borghini, who crossed the finish line 8'30" behind. The rainbow jersey's attack left no room for escape: the 4th Giro is one of her final objectives.
How are you?
Now good. He feared he had broken his collarbone., only that to do all the tests he couldn't cool down after the time trial, so she arrived at the first mountain stage a little out of breath (the Danish girl was 5'53" late, ed.).
What do you think of this first part of the season?
It is true that Better than expected results are coming, but this doesn't change the objectives, the team hasn't raised their expectations. After the Course by LeTour, where I didn't do so well (Marta placed 13th at 8", editor's note), they told me that it wasn't a problem at all and that I'm here to learn.
Yesterday you lost to Van der Breggen: she was very agile up front, you were a bit tougher behind: what are you missing to reach that level?
I think it is a difference above all in physical maturationTechnically, we're similar. Anna doesn't have a violent progression, she's not a climber. Accelerate and then make the difference with the pace, like me, obviously keeping the due proportionsShe's 31, I'm still 23, and I know I have a lot of growth to do, even athletically. Luckily, she'll stop at the end of the year...
He actually says he'll do it after Tokyo and that's strange, with the World Championships in Belgium.
But in fact you'll see that he'll be convinced...
Was yesterday's stage one of those circled in red?
The first of this Giro, I confirm. Then there's the very beautiful one that goes around Lake Como, which I'm told many are aiming for. Finally the penultimate one on Matajur, that one also has a nice circle.
Some time ago we spoke with your former coach Arzeni at Valcar I'm wondering if you've lost some of your momentum in improving your climbs. Would you dare go to Tokyo and guarantee you can sprint, or, following Salvoldi's reasoning, would you be happy with Bastianelli on your team?
It could be, if I go, my first Olympics. Of course, If the race were to go a certain way, I might even go for a sprint. But it's true that I lost some inspiration and that someone like Marta is very fast after a hard run. So to have security, she would be the right card.
