There was a verb in the story of the Paris team that Paolo Sangalli didn't like. He says it right away, laughing through gritted teeth. It is the verb to creak, which we had used to describe his reasoning on the presence of some athletes rather than others in the national team of Olympics. And now that we're heading towards the World Championships and the decisions have been made more clearly, the difference is immediately obvious. Nothing can be said about the athletes; their commitment has been there for all to see all year. On the other hand, regarding the way they are managed, one could open the same file that has been on the table for years, talking about men.In foreign teams, Italian women aren't always given the consideration we'd expect. And this year, in some cases, this has seemed even more evident.
"That's the reason why there are no under-23s in the group," explains the women's coach, "because they haven't proven themselves up to the task. Al Future Tower they could have demonstrated it, I'm talking about Francesca Barale for exampleBut there were different choices, which I respected, just as she now respects my choice and even told me so. Riding in the Tour de France is always hard work, and I understand that. But at that age, when you have an opportunity to compare yourself with your peers, you should take it. Also because the person who won the Tour de l'Avenir (Marion Bunel, ed.) had also done the Tour de France, arriving very far ahead and demonstrating that she had found great condition».
National for Longo
We will go to Switzerland with a national team that is in some ways unprecedented and devoted to the cause of Elisa Longo Borghini, who, after a long post-Olympic rest period, returned to the group just yesterday with second place at the Grand Prix de Wallonie.
The coach admits that he would have liked to have other names too. Marta Cavalli, for example. Or Bertizzolo or Persico at the top.But since the first one hasn't raced for a while and the other two aren't in the expected condition, it was decided to leave room for the others. So, in strict alphabetical order: Arzuffi, Balsamo, Longo Borghini, Malcotti, Magnaldi, Paladin and Realini.
Longo Borghini's journey and team are on the same page. Do you expect us to be able to get there on our own, or are we open to anything?
There's a little touch at the end that can make the difference, depending on the match situation. It's logical that with a team like that, we're going to have a tough match.Given the characteristics of the girls, we have no alternative: we will try to reach the finish with the smallest number of riders. I'm worried about Kopecky and Vollering, as well as Niewiadoma and maybe even Ludwig, even if she hasn't shone lately. But in a one-day race she could be dangerous...
Just to avoid using the word creak again, were you surprised that some highly anticipated names ultimately didn't make the cut?
Some girls have had bad seasons. We take Silvia PersianShe remains very available, we even thought she could do the team relay, but after the Tour she was no longer at the level we had hoped. Tour that from my point of view could very well have been missed, perhaps arriving better in Romandie and finding himself today in the seven of the national team for ZurichHe's had a bad year, he'll have to reset and start over. Same story for bertizzolo, who I would have liked both at the Olympics and here, but she got injured. She's one of those riders who tells you: «Look, I'm not in good shape. I'm not coming to the national team just to put on the jersey and go.». So she is an honest athlete, as they all are.
What kind of World Cup do you expect?
I see it more as a Liège than an Alpine stage. We're going with the resources we have, and it's right that those who have proven themselves fit were selected. Alice Arzuffi, for example, had been missing from the Giro d'Italia for a long time, but was decisive in the TourShe worked so hard at the Giro too, so she absolutely deserves to be rewarded. She's done a great job getting here, so I'm really happy for her and I'm sure she'll make her contribution. The same goes for Barbara Malcott and also for Elisa Balsam, who for once will run only in support of the other Elisa.
Eleonora Gasparrini, third at the European Championships and first in Stuttgart, may be missing from the list…
From my point of view, the path is tough for her. She's found her form, preparing for the European Championships. She was good, in Zurich she could have done the job that I think Elisa Balsamo will doHowever, given the level of the Under 23s, the path for the “Gaspa” would be too tough.
Longo Borghini left Paris in pieces, how do you feel about that?
Highly motivated, she's eager to redeem herself. Before Paris, she was coming off a grueling Giro. Yesterday she finished second at Wallonie, so she has already given a signalFrom now on he will recover and on September 25th he will the relay team, which by the way it runs on the final circuit, so it is very suitable for her. He'll do a dress rehearsal. He'll arrive on the 23rd, I'm leaving tonight with the national time trial team. We're almost there, we'll start soon.
