Lara Gillespie, Irish UAE Development Team won the third stage of the Tour of the Mediterranean in Pink, the second for her. The race continues and will finish tomorrow on the uphill finish line of Motta Montecorvino, but in the meantime has already marked the return of Federica Venturelli (Ossola photo above). The girl from San Bassano, the same town in the province of Cremona where Marta Cavalli is from, had disappeared from the radar.
Season debut race April 1st at Ronde de Mouscron, closed with a retirementThe second, two weeks later in Chambery, with a twenty-fifth place. And then finally in these days the convincing return to the group, with third place in the first stage in Terzigno, second the following day in Torre del Greco and fourth yesterday, precisely in Barletta, on a challenging course due to its characteristics.
Back problems
What happened to Federica, who we remember shines for the titles won on the road, on the track and in cross and who from this year is passed among the under 23s in the Emirates team?
«I had some back problems – he explains with his usual kindness – and so I had to delay the start of my season quite a bitI started again on April 1st in Mouscron, where I crashed 50 meters from the finish. A girl in front of me actually crashed, and I couldn't avoid her. So, it was a pretty traumatic first race. Then I raced again in Chambery on the 14th, and there too I had mechanical problems. I had to change bikes twice. So... the first two races of the season were quite unlucky. Now, however, third race, I'd say it's going well. Better than the first two..."
And is your back okay now?
It's better. I can train and run, so definitely better than before. I'm continuing to work on it, doing the exercises and so far it's fine.It was never clear what caused the problem, but the important thing is that it is being resolved.
Obviously this slowed down the preparation, how are things going now?
I had to delay at the beginning, let's say, because In February I was only able to do short and always calm training sessions, without doing any workSo I actually started back in March and I'm still in full training and growth. Compared to all the others, I started much later. I was also supposed to go to the Nations' Cup track in Hong Kong, but again due to the back problem, that also fell through.
So how did you reorganize the season?
After the Giro del Mediterraneo in Rosa, I will definitely run the GP Liberation in Rome. However, for the next few months, everything is still being finalized. Physical problems can happen to anyone, the important thing is to resolve them and return to competitiveness in the shortest time possible. And that's what I'm trying to do.
It's not that bad, considering the placings...
The feelings are good. The first two stages were quite suitable for my characteristics, because they were uneven, but without any climbs that were too long or too steep, on which the climbers could really make a difference. I certainly don't have a climber's physique and the next few days, especially the last two (today in Castelnuovo della Daunia and tomorrow in Motta Montecorvino, ed.), will put me to the test. We'll see how it goes on even tougher routes, with more altitude difference.
What do you think of the race so far, which is just starting out?
The organization is very good. Even the quality of the roads, the organization of traffic, everything is done with diligenceWe've never had any problems. It's a beautiful race, both in terms of routes and organisation.
So let's say you're on the right track back?
It's the right race to come back, you have to start at the right level and then grow. I'm lucky to have an excellent team. My teammates are always fantastic, we help each other out, no matter who needs work.. Returning to racing and finding a team like this is always a great thing. So let's move forward. And if anything, we'll see each other at the Liberazione...
