When she ran, it was no coincidence that her nickname was “maga”. Giorgia Bronzini he knew how to read the race cards and predict the future of certain actions. Some of her most important victories came thanks to these skills and her calmness in the most frenetic moments. Even since she moved to the team car, she has maintained them, even though it's not always easy to get it right in a women's cycling world that's so different from her time. In view of the Milan-Sanremo Women's cycling We wanted to ask her what she sees in her crystal ball.
The appointment of the “Classicissima”the women's match is scheduled for tomorrow and the sand in the hourglass is already flowing. Departure from Genoa at 10,35 and arrival in Via Roma in Sanremo after 156 kilometers around 14,20, about two and a half hours before the pros. The Tre Capi, the Cipressa, and the Poggio are the rough sections that could shape the race, but as with the men's race, the odds remain open for the women's race. If you could play the old-fashioned football pools, it would be a 1X2 race. Bronzini gave us his usual honest opinion, also taking inspiration from the forerider of Sanremo Women's cycling which was last run twenty years ago.
You ran in a few editions of the Primavera Rosa, which was now the Sanremo Women's cycling, what memories do you have of the race?
I remember the effort from that race (smiles, ed.). When I raced it, I wasn't exactly the Bronzini I was at the end of my career. I struggled on the climbs. Then I ran in one of the strongest teams of the time and pulled for my captains. One of them was Nicole Cooke, who came in second by a hair in 2005 (the last year it was run, ed.). Obviously, I would have liked them to have organized other editions precisely because of the spectacular nature of the race. And then because... at the time she was one of the few who would exploit the crowds on the street for the men's raceWe athletes would have felt it more. We missed it and I'm really happy it's back on the calendar.
The Sanremo Women's cycling will be 156 kilometers long. In your opinion, given that the men's race is the longest overall, would you have expected it to be longer, or is the current distance fine?
Compared to Primavera Rosa which was 120 kilometers, I think the length of our Sanremo is more than enoughAlso because I absolutely disagree with always making races longer, harder, or more unpredictable, or with more obstacles. The risks increase, and excess is never good. Just as I disagree with some men's races. Cycling in general is being taken too far. It's bad for everyone.We must remember that riders are not clowns, but human beings. If people want a certain kind of entertainment, they should watch movies, not cycling races. At least, that's what I think.
How do you think teams with only a sprinter as their starting striker will perform?
Teams relying on their fast wheels will have to try to keep everything closed. Or if she were to escape, they would have to keep her under control.They'll have to take a good look at who's inside and then sew it up without tearing, keeping the sprinter safe and protected without wasting anything.
And how will teams with other types of riders behave?
These formations In my opinion they will try to exploit any opportunity that presents itself, maybe even on every small overpass or difference in altitude, not just on the five climbs.It's easy for them to make a lot of sprints or lunges. Their goal will be to exhaust the sprinters' legs and cut them off from the finish.
How will Human, led by sport director Giorgia Bronzini, tackle the race tactically, if that's the case?
Honestly, this isn't a happy time for us and we're suffering as a team. Unfortunately we will be starting with a lineup that was not the one predicted.Our top riders are out of contention. Ruth Edwards dislocated her shoulder at the Strade Bianche, and Thalita De Jong broke her collarbone at the Trofeo Binda. Our leader will be Barbara Malcott, who is one of those slow athletes I was referring to earlier.
So will you be animating the race?
We at Human won't push things, we'll adapt to the situation. I will study the race based on the composition of the other teams and understand who could have a tough race. We'll give Barbara direction, and her teammates will support her. I don't think the way we'll behave will be a surprise to the other teams. We don't have the numbers to surprise them. However, we set out to bring home the best possible for ourselves and be combative..
Could a breakaway escape early on and a similar incident like Omloop Nieuwsblad occur?
I don't think what we saw in Belgium could happen at Sanremo because that was a sensational episode, unique and rare. The favourite teams will not miss this opportunity, also because in the meantime the climbers have competed against each other, seeing what needs to be done. They won't let the escape get far unless there are important pawns or high-level second-round picks in that action.
Having made all these technical and tactical hypotheses, the magician Giorgia Bronzini looks into her crystal ball and... who will win the Sanremo Women's cycling? And why?
In the forecast everyone says she will attack Kopecky and when she attacks she doesn't do it by chanceThe competition has characteristics that suit it whether it becomes tough or a little less so. I don't even think she chose to debut at Sanremo this season by chance. In addition to Kopecky, I see among the favorites Balsamo who had a great run in Cittiglio, not only for victory, but also for how she conducted it. And let's not forget the other Elisa, namely Longo Borghini. If the race becomes extremely tough I think that she together with Vollering they will be the most advantaged. Finally, I would also include Vos, because when she runs these races, she is difficult to keep under control.
