He had waited a long time for that moment, when he could raise his arms as if freeing himself from a burden. Erica Magnaldi she had already started her cycling career late, coming from the amateur world, she had gone through the ranks, she had arrived in the WorldTour at UAE in 2022. She had come close many times, but only in Chambery did she finally taste the flavour of victory, seven years after the stage of the Tour de l'Ardeche, when everything was practically just beginning.
It is no coincidence that the victory came in Chambery, so much so that the woman from Cuneo had marked the date of the transalpine classic in red: «It's a race that suits me perfectly, so much so that in the other two times I've participated I've always finished on the podium, let's say that with this victory I've completed the collection... It was a goal, one of the many places this season, I'm happy that it was achieved».
How did you approach it, also from a psychological point of view, given that you considered the race a key stage in your season?
I was very confident because I'd seen in previous tests that my legs were working well, that I was in good shape. I've had a good winter preparation that's starting to bear fruit. On the eve the team had placed me as the team leader together with Greta Marturano and the race went wellWe controlled the race in the early stages, and when it got tougher, natural selection led to five of us staying in front, including both Greta and I. It was the ideal tactical situation, and I have to thank her because she was crucial in managing the race until my attack, which allowed me to finish alone.
Before the start of the season there was a lot of talk about your role in the team as the main assistant of Elisa Longo Borghini and from what we've seen, the role fits you perfectly...
Working for Elisa is an honor, but I have to say that She herself is the one who wants all her companions to have their space and she is the first to say that I am not just her lieutenantThis applies to everyone: you have to be ready to work for her, who is our captain and one of the strongest in the world, but also know how to take responsibility when she's not there. It's clear that the race in Chambery was lower than the WorldTour events, but I was happy to try and even more so to succeed. I repaid her trust.
Now you're looking forward to a long trip to Spain, starting with the Vuelta. What role will you have?
It depends a lot on the team's choices and from the possible presence of Elisa, who initially had not planned the Vuelta Also because she's expected for the Giro and the Tour, but she might be called upon to do it because we have some injured teammates. If she is, it will depend on what she wants to do, but as far as I'm concerned, even if Elisa is missing. I don't think I'll aim for the rankings, I'd prefer to have more freedom of movement and be able to race aggressively, looking for a stage win. Perhaps even a breakaway, like last year's Giro.
Then you'll have the Itzulia and the Vuelta a Burgos, which are shorter…
I really like it. I'm approaching the Basque race with curiosity, having never run it before but knowing it's very tough, just the way I like it. At the Vuelta a Burgos I hope to repeat the performances of two years ago, when I finished second in the final stage of Lagunas de Neila, a finish line which will also be at this year's Vuelta Espana.We'll see how I get there after the tough Ardennes campaign. Roles will be established from time to time.
The national team's appointments are still a long way off, but it's clear that it's not often that both the European Championships and the World Championships offer such challenging courses, typically reserved for climbers. Do you feel the pull?
I'd love to be in the national team, that's clear, to lend a hand to Elisa, who would be the captain and one of the candidates for victory considering the routes. The feeling we are building as a team would be very useful.But let's talk about events that are still far away. I haven't had a chance to discuss them with the coach, partly because it's still early. We'll see what shape I'll be in by then, and what happens in the summer. For now, I'll leave everything on the shelf, along with my other dreams...
One to pull out?
Well, I'd like to relive that joy I felt in Chambery. They always say that when you manage to unblock yourself, everything becomes easier. Let's try to make the opportunity arise, wherever it may be...
