Seventh in Almeria, sixth in Flanders, second at Roubaix. Letizia Borghesi's growth initially seemed surprising, but it was enough to talk to her after the cobblestone race and look into her eyes to understand that there was probably very little that was randomOne phrase in particular continued to resonate in our heads until yesterday. When we asked her if she felt a little out of place between Lotte Kopecky and Lorena Wiebes, the thirty-year-old, with great serenity, she replied that she had felt more often uncomfortable when occupying positions that were inadequate compared to her expectations. So we picked up the phone and called Matteo Ferrari, the sports director who had her at a very young age Vaiano when at 21 he won a stage of the Giro d'Italia and almost nobody knew who he was.
«We are preparing the trip for the GP Liberation – explains the Aromitalia 3T technician Vaiano, 40 years old – even if initially we were afraid that the Rome program would be revised after the death of Pope Francis. Instead, everything will go according to plan, so we'll finish loading and off we go."
Does Letizia Borghesi's quote surprise you?
Actually, no. It has always been a girl who showed a good foundation. In 2019, his first year with us, he made a seventh place at Brabant Arrow, alone behind the small group that had been competing for the race. We realized there was something to work on. On his side he has always had an extraordinary determination, an extra edge. It speaks volumes even more than the stage win he won at the Giro, which, in all honesty, was also the result of fortunate circumstances. But it was clear he wasn't even thinking about letting himself be beaten.
He didn't have time to follow up on those placings, given that 2020 was halted due to Covid.
Yet I remember that he went strong in the Strade Bianche which was the race in which he started again. So I understand what he's saying. And in the last two years he gave continuity to the results because he made his stages. Although second place at Roubaix is really something.
You spoke of great determination…
In terms of character and dedication, she was focused on cycling. At the age of 21 he was already living the life of a 100 percent athlete., which allowed her to make up for some physical shortcomings that it has now disappeared thanks to his physical maturation.
She seems very reserved…
He needs the its time to open upOn the day of the Flanders we were in Belgium, but we didn't race. So we went to visit her and it turned out that the relationship with her, her sister and the family is still very goodWe've never had any problems with her parents, they live cycling in the right way. What they've passed on to her is the love for sport and the need to make sacrifices.
Did you do cyclocross in those years too?
Yes, of course. He took advantage of the Christmas holidays to move to Belgium and do his races.Our mechanic was still with her last winter for the races she did, including the Italian championship when she achieved a podium finish.
In summary, do you think he will continue to improve on the classics front?
I would say yes. Letizia is strong in the cold and rain, even though she already worked hard to be good in the heatSo I still see her doing well in the North for the most important classics, but also in the stages of some Giro d'Italia where she can take a breakaway and fight for the race.
