BERGAMO – The external climate contrasts with that of the UAE ADQ Team on the eve of Giro d'Italia Women's cyclingOutside the Radisson Blu Chorus Life, people are gasping for air in the heat, inside the meeting room, where the Emirati team has organised its press conference, you can feel the freshness not only of the air conditioning, but of the team spirit.
The occasion is that of theannouncement of the renewal of the sponsorship until 2029 and also that of taking the pulse of the athletesAt the table, the executives first and the women second take turns. Yana Seel, the team's Head of Business and Communications, introduces President Melissa Moncada and Anas Jawdat Albarguthi, the COO of the ADQ Group. The two company leaders are clearly happy with the team's growth and part of this growth will necessarily come from the women's Corsa Rosa.There's no pressure, as the length of these days is proof of, but it's normal to want to hit the Giro with the defending champion.
Feet on the ground
It's the athletes' turn to focus on the Giro Women's cyclingGasparrini and Chapman are missing and together with Longo Borghini Silvia Persico and Erica Magnaldi sit down, Greta Marturano and Alena Amialiusik. They were all happy and pleasantly surprised by the large turnout at the conference. It's normal that Longo Borghini is the most requested before and after, especially because he returns to the start wearing the reconfirmed tricolour jersey.
"After the Italian championship," Elisa says, "which was also a team success, I just thought I'd come to the Giro to put in a good performance. I'm not one for making grand proclamations. I can only say that I am in excellent shape and that I will try to do my best., then we'll see how it ends in Imola."
«The approach – he continues – was very similar to that of 2024, but the real difference is that last year I had run the Tour of Switzerland before the Italian, while This year I preferred to stay at high altitude until shortly before the Italian time trial to better prepare for the Giro».
Probability and unforeseen events
A stage race can be like a "monopoly" race. To win you have to know how to deal with all situations and An extraordinary resource of Longo Borghini is that of always having the answer on the fly or even when you try to break out of the classic patterns of some questions.
"As for the odds," Elisa says, "of being in the pink jersey from day one or the last, I don't know what to tell you. It's true that a year ago I wore the pink jersey from the first to the last stage, but that's almost impossible. I repeat, I like to keep my feet on the ground and be realistic. It will be very difficult to win the time trial because there is a very high levelAs a team we will try to do our best to defend and attack."
By her own admission, Elisa had always had to deal with the “off day” that prevented her from winning the Giro in the past. Last year's triumph gave her more awareness, if there was any need for an athlete of her level.
“It’s true,” he replies, concluding with a hint of irony. “Normally, in the past few years, I’ve always had a crisis day. This year we tried to adapt to the heat by going to saunas and other things.. Then what can I tell you? That the day of crisis will clearly not come."
Key points
The design of the Giro Women's cycling 2025 largely follows the previous edition. Perhaps with a touch more difficulty. Longo Borghini knows what the key points might be.
«The stage – Elisa analyses – that everyone expects to be decisive will be that of Monte Nerone, which is also the most obvious one. We saw the climb on VeloViewer, and it looks very challenging. It's exposed to a lot of sun and wind. And we know that when you're going uphill, it's not pleasant to ride in these conditions. I think it will be a climb that I will have to manage well..
«However, I believe that the arrival in Pianezze on the fourth stage – he continues – could already give a hint of what the general classification could be. Also pay attention to the sixth stage, the one that passes through San Marino, which, as far as I'm concerned, shouldn't be underestimated. Then you also have to take into account the initial time trial. A time trial in an 8-day stage tour has a huge impactIt's made the difference in the past. Last year, it gave me an advantage that was impossible for my opponents to overcome. I think it can shape or somehow influence the overall standings this year too."
Memories and Rivals
Soon Longo Borghini and his companions will be on stage at Giro Women's cycling for the team presentation and by this time tomorrow he will already have an indication of what awaits him in terms of the race and his rivals.
«From last year – he rewinds the tape for a moment – I remember the last hundred meters of the finish in L'Aquila well. It was a great thrill and also a great thriller. I've always said that I like things that get a little exciting."
The competition this year will be even higher and Elisa isn't fazed, quite the opposite in fact. «Among the rivals I say Reusser, but she's not the only one. Personally, I'm very happy that there's another opponent like Van der Breggen and of that caliber. Labous and Muzic both start on equal terms, but I think whoever goes faster will become captain. We'll definitely keep an eye on both of them because neither can leave. We're ready.
And were any crazy bets made for victory?I'm not at my husband Jacopo's level – concludes Elisa laughing – who shaved his head for Pedersen's squad! We haven't thought about it, but if we win, we'll get tickets to go and see the first available Pinguini Tattici Nucleari concert together."
All for one, one for all
Elisa Longo Borghini is the team's guiding light, but she knows full well that you can't win without the team. She's always recognized this in every team she's been in, and her clubmates have always given her credit. A group's unity is built on these foundations; there's no escaping it.
«Definitely having Elisa with us - Says Magnaldi it gave us an extra pushThere's a lot of teamwork, thanks to excellent preparation. We're all very motivated to do a great job for Elisa and bring home a team win. This, I am sure, will push us to go beyond our limits.».
Perch e Amialiusik, respectively Bergamo by birth and adoption, are even more excited to leave home. For Silvia, who has a couple of stages suited to her, personal goals will eventually be set day by day. While Marturano He identifies Movistar and SD-Worx Protime as the most aggressive teams, knowing that he is in a team well equipped to respond to everyone.
