Fausto Scotti says that when in the under 23 race to the Europeans Gaia Realini arrived on the heels of the world champion, he had to wave his arms to tell her to take a breath. Then at a certain point, the Italian national team he even feared he had lost her, because the Frenchman Norbert Riberbolle was so great, he hid well in his shadow the little girl from Abruzzo, with a grin on her face and no desire to give up.
«Perhaps the rainbow jersey intimidated her a little – says the Italian coach – even if when Gaia finally cast off, she even finished ahead of her. And it is achieved a nice 10th place».
Gaia comes from Colli di Pescara, you can see the Adriatic in front and the great mountains of Abruzzo behind youShe rode a bike for the first time at the age of seven, intrigued by her father Giacinto's sport, which he rode out of passion. And since you can see the determination in his face, The step between trying and becoming an athlete was really short..
«I started in Domenico Cerasi's team – he says – doing road and mountain biking. Then As a beginner I tried cyclocross and I discovered that I liked it more than mountain biking, which I immediately gave up. So now I split my time between road in the summer and cross-country in the winter."
Born in 2001 and with a confident voice, Gaia has taken the diploma from the sports high school And now she's thinking about cycling, trying to figure out if it can be her future. That she arrived at the European Championships in good shape we had seen each other in Gallipoli, when she defeated Baroni and Casasola who until then had always finished ahead of her.
Were you thinking about a season like this?
After Covid, not really. The season has slowed down, but I'm doing well. We'll have to see how things will continue. Next Sunday there were supposed to be two races, one in Veneto and the other in Bologna. The first one was cancelled, but maybe not the second...
How did you join the team? Selle Italia-Guerciotti?
Last year I was looking for a team, because continuing to pay all the expenses wasn't exactly ideal. And they showed interest. They provided me with the equipment and let me stay and train at home. I talk to Vito Di Tano every day and so I carved out my own dimension.
Do you think cycling could be a life goal?
For now yes, even if We can all see clearly the great gap between men and women. I would like to enter in a military sports group. This could be a great achievement.
By the way, what are your dream goals?
As a cross-country rider, I'd like to win up North, in Belgium or in Holland. That is the temple of specialty, but I must say that Running without an audience was really badOtherwise, the Italian championship.
You almost disappeared into the Dutch sand. Which routes do you prefer?
Fast, lean, and tough. I defend myself in running, I like to work at it.
Instead on the road?
The climbs were equally tough. This year I rode the Vallerbike. Finding a team for 2021 is the next goal, because with Guerciotti you only race in cross-country.
Do you have a male or female athlete you look up to?
Definitely Alvarado. Because she's young, but he has always fought against the big ones like Vos. And then I'd also add Van der Poel, who has charisma and is entertaining. When he's racing, you sit back and think: Today will be pure fun.
How do you spend your time when you're not working out?
I'm hanging out with friends, watching a movie. All in all, I like quiet days at my house.
