If at Christmas it is always worth making a wish list for all ages, we are sure that under his tree Laura Tomasi he wanted to find in it the sign of a civic changeLast December 19th, her video complaint against yet another negligent driver who had touched her with his car – fortunately without consequences – went viral online.
The incident occurred in Versilia, in Cinquale di Montignoso, right on the seafront where Tomasi in 2019 had achieved his second elite victory in the Gold Trophy in Euro. It happened to her exactly on the day of the poor man's autopsy Davide rebel, who perhaps from up there kept an eye on one of his many colleaguesCoincidences of a cyclist's destiny, which often depends on fractions of a second. Either you win a sprint in a race, or you win your life in training.
And this is not right, it should not be like this, as the 23 year old from Treviso kept repeating UAE ADQ Team in his video. But there is a competitive season that is knocking at the door and needs to be preparedA few days later, we decided to ask him how he was doing, both mentally and physically.
Laura, what struck us about your outburst was the phrase "I'm afraid to work out." How have you been overall since then?
I reacted well and I still do. That day wasn't easy at all. The car hit me, hitting me hard from my little finger to my shoulder. It was okay because I know how to ride a bike, but it was a huge emotional shock.I made the video half an hour later because I called my boyfriend first to find comfort. I set off on my bike after a good hour with that sentence in my headIt's not pleasant to feel vulnerable every time you go out, but I've realized that I have to live with this fear if I want to continue doing my job, what I love most. And then I don't want to be overwhelmed by the fear of training because it would be like give in to this context or to the people who purposely drive recklessly when they meet us cyclists.
Have you ever experienced something like this before?
Not like this one, but similar incidents happen practically every day I train. Today (yesterday for those reading, ed.) I did 120 kilometers and I was in danger again a couple of times. Now not only do they beat you or squeeze you in roundabouts like I did in Versilia, but You have to watch out for cars going in the opposite direction that try to overtake at random. And they'll nitpick you even then. Drivers haven't noticed us for years. In fact, they see us as an obstacle. I don't want to generalize. Not all drivers are criminals, just as not all cyclists are diligent, but no one really realizes they are driving a gunMaybe they should come in our place like in that commercial…
What?
A video has been circulating online for some time now, in which an association aims to raise awareness about road safety. Bus drivers are made to pedal on a spinning bike while their own bus passes just inches away from them.They react with fear after feeling the strong blast. They remain stationary, while we continue, taking all the risks involved. This advert should be shown in Italian driving schoolsCivic education and mutual respect for shared spaces like the street are needed.
After your video, did you receive only encouraging messages or did you also receive negative comments?
Both. There were more expressions of solidarity and support, fortunately.. Anyway, some people have written to me saying that I shouldn't use the road for training but the bike paths? Which bike paths? In my training today, I did a maximum of 15 kilometers on them. The people who wrote to me don't realize that we train for 4-5 hours on different terrains and with specific workMost of the paths in Italy are cycle/pedestrian only, so they're mixed, and there's usually a speed limit. Imagine if I were to cycle at 40 miles an hour, putting pedestrians at risk. Even though I responded by arguing these things, some people kept telling me that I shouldn't train on the street because it's dangerous.. Absurd.
After having had this bad experience, what do you think can be done to increase safety?
Personally at crossroads or at the most critical points, I always try to look inside the car to see if the driver is paying attention or not so I can shout if he is distracted.I respect traffic lights and stop signs. My bike has front and rear lights, but I honestly don't know what more could be done to protect us. It may seem counterintuitive, but going out in a group of cyclists can be considered safer than going out alone because at least together we are more visible.But then we take up more space, we risk being more undisciplined, drivers don't want to stay behind you and risk maneuvers by honking their horns. On the contrary, if you go out alone you can be hit by anyone and maybe with failure to provide assistance.. Again, it's not nice to feel so vulnerable.
Could trade associations like ACCPI or CPA do more?
You can always do something more and they might push further, but it is not easy to touch the soul of those in the MinistriesI also made my video complaint because I hoped it might make someone in higher-ups think. Five days before my accident, the person who wrote that despicable phrase against cyclists was acquitted. If this type of incitement to hatred is not a crime in Italy or there are not yet clear laws with heavy fines like in other countries, there is little that can be done.We must hope that something changes, but Italy is not a cutting-edge country in this respect.
Let's try to get back in the saddle because 2023 begins in a few days. How is Laura Tomasi preparing for her racing season?
As I said right away, I haven't lost motivation in training.I would like to start the new year as I closed 2022 with a couple of podiums in WorldTour races. I will make my debut at the Valenciana then I will do the Northern campaign between Belgium and Holland. Up there are the races that best suit my characteristics, even if I will have to work for our captains. We have a well-structured team, with many young and interesting additions in addition to the more experienced athletes.My role will depend on the type of competition we run. I don't yet know where I'll get a free hand. My calendar is set until April. The season is long, I hope, and I will try, to carve out some space for myself.
