If there is a small regret, in our opinion, in Letizia Paternoster's career (so far) it is the fact that at a certain point he had to interrupt his collaboration with Giorgia Bronzini. Piacenza is now one of the mainstays of the LIV Racing Xstra, while shortly Letizia will leave the Trek-Segafredo e will move to Bike Exchange-JaycoWe spoke with a smile about the return to the land of his father, of Australian origin, but above all about the search for new stimuli.
What did they see in her on the Australian team? What were the reasons that drove them to invest in the Trentino girl, who in recent years has broken all records in terms of positive tests and injuries? We asked Martin Vestby, the coach of the women's team, who married in life Emma Johansson, former Swedish athlete with two silver medals at the World Championships and two at the OlympicsVestby, a 45-year-old Norwegian, also raced professionally for five seasons.
Did you know Letizia?
The first time I observed it was when he won the first stage of the 2019 Tour Down Under beating our own Sarah Roy. He is a great talent on the track, but also on the roadIt's telling that as soon as she moved up from junior to elite, she immediately achieved good results.
But then everything went wrong…
He had a couple of difficult years, between Covid and accidents. What we can see now is the great potential it has, hoping that the bad is now over. So the goal is to get back to form and its potential.
How will you reconcile the road and the track?
There are many advantages that the track gives to the road racer. Only that the right balance must be found. But certainly In 2023 we will significantly strengthen its road programShe's proven that the classics suit her. She's fast, a top-level sprinter. Let's just hope for a season with few interruptionsBut perhaps it's too early to put the pressure of victory on her. Now Letizia needs the our support to get back to growth.
Does more road also mean a different winter than usual?
There will be changes. The focus will be on the road and the most painless way to overcome the climbsI'm not talking about work to make her a climber, but the basis for digest them better and still have legs for the sprintWe'll look at nutrition and make some changes.
Will you have a train for her?
No, not for now, although We will try to bring it to the sprint in the best possible conditions.There will be a focus on working on this aspect. Track experience will be very useful for this., because she can manage on her own anyway.
First retreats already scheduled?
We'll do it a training camp in January with the men's team. It wouldn't make sense to do it before, given that many of our riders are no longer in Europe. I don't think Letizia will need to move to Spain to work in the heat, because He usually trains on Lake Garda, where the climate is milder.
Have you had contact with her?
The day in Turin, when we had the medical checks. And then with a Skype meeting, when it came to defining the objectives.
How did you find it?
Open and enthusiastic. Very professional and with great ambitions. He's starting to get old enough to mature. I think it will start from Europe and not from AustraliaI can't say more than that yet. But one thing I'm sure of: I can't wait to start driving it.
