SCARPERIA – He attacked just before the bell rang, with 26 kilometers to go. La Lidl Trek he launched it as one does in sprints with the sprinter and Elisa Longo Borghini took offTen seconds. Then twenty. Then almost fifty. And when the finish line finally stopped the chase, the remaining 13 seconds allowed her to raise her arms and perform a mimic which she will later explain to us.
Chasing behind were the girls from the Fiamme Azzurre, with Elena Cecchini and Chiara Consonni for Letizia Paternoster. Also the UAE Adq he seemed to want to work for Eleonora Gasparrini (then U23 tricolor), but he didn't put all the girls to shoot. And Longo, turning around just a couple of times, thanked and completed her fifth Italian success. Thinking about the setback two days ago, when the time trial title was taken away from her for a penalty due to the small distance of the flagship behind him, you can tell she was super motivated.
«I took it back!»
In fact, we have rarely seen Elisa smile to the point of emotion. When, jokingly, before the podium, we told her that at least one jersey remained, he changed his gaze and said in a threatening tone: «I didn't have it left, I took it back!»But now that we're eye to eye and talking a little more deeply, her mood comes to the surface and everything becomes clear. She sat on the steps of the podium, we are here in front, kneeling at his feet. He jokes about this too, the mood is good anyway.
«I was very sad yesterday – he explains – not so much for having lost the Italian time trial title, but for the thought that someone believed that I win through subterfugeThis isn't my thing. I like to win and lose fairly. I accepted the jury's verdict. I deeply believe in justice, and that was fine, but I was very disappointed. I must say that I also felt a strong sense of shame when I went for a walk yesterday., wearing the Lidl-Trek shirt…».
Why?
I was afraid that people would look at me and think that I didn't want to win fairly. But then in the end... my husband he told me something very intelligent. He told me it was all in my head and no one in the industry thinks that way. And she added: "Tomorrow, show that you win fairly and that you're the strongest." My friend Audrey told me the same thing yesterday: "Run with your heart and prove everyone wrong, even those who think badly, which are very few." And today is a relief for me, and this is the tricolor jersey of relief and fairness. Do you know what I said to Jacopo yesterday?
What?
If I win tomorrow, I'll turn around and I signal the motorbike to stay behind. And today I did it (smiles, hence the facial expression at the finish line, ed.).
An attack prepared and executed by the team…
Prepared attack. We knew Elisa Balsamo was strong, but she was also unsure about her first race since her injury. We spoke, and she told me to attack. Ilaria Sanguineti and Gaia Realini gave me a galactic leadoutAt that point, I just had to fire my shot, and I managed to detach them all and reach the finish line. I knew it wouldn't be easy to survive the windy sections on the main road. But I kept my watts constant and I knew that if I went up to a certain wattage on the climbs, they wouldn't catch me anymore.It was a long move, almost as long as Thursday's time trial. It's a great satisfaction to have this jersey, I'm happy.
How important is it to have confirmations like this before the Giro d'Italia and the Olympics?
Much! I worked a lot at altitude, but mostly on endurance and not on more explosive work. Now I will go back to Flora Alpina Refuge, in San Pellegrino, with the national team and I will still be able to do a good block of work. Slongo will come with me to do certain types of work behind the bikeI will try to prepare myself as best I can. It's been a great season so far and I hope I can to face the Giro in excellent conditionOtherwise I'll make my peace with it.
You were talking about Elisa Balsamo: it's incredible how she came back strong in her first race, isn't it?
For me it's a beautiful thing. Elisa has passed two years of hell indeed and he always put his face to it, in the true sense of the wordI imagine her suffering and I respect her a lot precisely for the way she always manages to come back. Because in the end she is always reborn and I am a fan of hers. I respect her so much and she inspires me every day to do better.
Is there a special dedication for this shirt?
Besides my husband Jacopo, I dedicate it to my dad and my mom. It's a very unique event that my dad came to see me, because it's hay season now and he's making hay, so he's always a little busy. But luckily it's raining at home and so he told me he would come.. And I'm glad my dad was here today.
Regardless of what Velo decides, how important would it be for you to do the Paris time trial, both for the event itself and for the road?
The time trial is definitely important to me and I've worked hard on it. Improving was one of the objectives of the season, also with a view to the Grand ToursI think I also did a great job in the Italian Championships, because even on a course that wasn't suited to my characteristics, I managed to put down some good numbers, despite the tiredness of the Swiss where we didn't hold back at all. All Olympics I would really care, but the choice doesn't depend on meI will accept any verdict, no one dies. It would be nice to be able to do it to try to get a good result, but also to get unstuck for the road ahead.And now let's go. Tonight I'll go home and pack a suitcase for myself and Jacopo, who's running tomorrow. He's coming up the mountain too. See, I'm also doing good wifely things?
He gets up and walks away with Dr. Daniele and with Elizabeth Borgia. The smile she has rediscovered in this long period that began with the lockdown lights up her performances and the mood of those around herYou never get used to winning, he just said, especially if each victory takes so much effort. Today's was not trivial, but a gesture like this was needed to chase away the last ghosts.
