An almost explosive finish. At the last race of the season, Alessia Vigilia achieves his best result with second place in the prestigious Chrono of Nations, But especially saw a victory that would have been sensational slip away from under her nose, by just one second to the Dutch specialist Ellen Van Dijk at the last race of her career before dedicating herself completely to her role as a mother.
A verdict like this is always difficult to interpret, whether that second still has a sweet taste or is simply a defeat. Alessia, however, has quite clear ideas on the matter; it's something that sweetens the season: "The start wasn't the best, as I broke my collarbone right in the first race of the year.I have to say, however, that from then on I've continued to improve, and in the end I'm very happy. Overall, I think I've had a good and consistent season, very much serving the team, and rightly so. I've also managed to score some successes, such as a top 10 finish in the first stage of the Giro and also in the time trial, just missing out on the podium at the Italian championships.
You're becoming more and more of a specialist…
Let's say the conditions were already there, we'd already seen some of it as a junior. Then, in recent years, I've struggled a bit to express myself to my full potential. Two years ago I had already expressed myself at a good level by reaching the Italian podiumThis specific dimension is something I believe in, I have always tried to improve and so I'm really satisfied to have come so close to a specialist like Van DijkEspecially in a test that was not easy anyway because it was 27 km, on a rough course and it rained for almost half the race, so let's say it was a good test of endurance.
Moreover, it is the only time trial classic that has a very important past…
Yes, it is truly a very prestigious time trial, you can see it from the following it has, from the presence of so many people on the route. Maybe its position in the calendar doesn't help it much, but in reality all those athletes who consider time trials important, really see it as a reference., an important race. Many champions, both male and female, have won it, and it has a huge appeal.
Have you always continued to prepare for time trials?
I've always tried to work on it. I have never neglected it and I don't want to do so in the future either.In the youth categories it was easier for me to express myself in the time trial than perhaps in the road races and therefore I think it's kind of my strong point. And I want to keep working on it.Obviously, flat routes don't really suit me, but I can already express myself better with slightly mixed or more technical routes.
What do you need to improve on in your specialty?
Certainly in aerodynamics which plays a fundamental role. Having never worked in a wind tunnel, I think there are still many steps that can be taken. Then, personally and physically, I believe that even on a performance level, I have to continue working on this type of effort and also try to learn to perhaps manage it even better.
The new team, theUno X Do you plan to support and invest in this sector too, considering that team time trials have disappeared somewhat?
It's difficult to talk about planning without knowing exactly what routes the Grand Tours will take and, in general, how many stage races will include team time trials. At the Tour Femmes, for example, there will be an important 21-kilometer time trial at the halfway point, but it will be individual. However, it's one of the things we've already discussed with the managers, and I think we'll work together to improve, to see what the limits are in this specialty as well.
Could this also be a new dimension for you to broaden your aspirations and even try to look towards a goal like Los Angeles 2028?
It's definitely one of my secret dreams. Obviously there are many strong athletes and many races in between, many seasons, many things to do.But if I look to the long-term future, that would definitely be one of the biggest goals of my career.
Are you changing teams now? Are your perspectives and the roles you'll play in the new team also changing?
This week we'll have the administrative training camp and we'll start tackling the issue. However, I think I have a little more freedom and can express myself more. We'll see how it goes.
This is also what led you to change, to have more freedom than you could have at the time. Françoise des Jeux?
Yes, it was a combination of things. I think I'm in the age group where you either try to make the leap or you settle a bit where you are. And honestly, I wanted to try it, and have some responsibility or freedom, and see how it goes. If not now, when?
