In fifth place in the young women’s ranking at the RideLondon Classique, won by Eleonora Gasparrini, meet the name of Andrea Casagranda 10 seconds and two years old from Turin. Born in 2004, the thirty-year-old went from struggling to find a place in a continental team to becoming one of the most interesting pieces of BePink-Bongioanni in two seasons. There is clearly a long way to go, but 19 years is the certainty of having a lot of margin.
In the meantime the team has rebuilt itself. Among others, Zanardi and Vitillo, who in other times would have guaranteed their presence at the Giro, have left. Therefore, while waiting for RCS Sport to release the list of invited teams, part of the group is involved in the Vuelta Andalucia, some are racing today in the Alpes Gresivaudan Classic and others, including Casagranda herself, are working on a call-up to the Tour of Switzerland which will begin on June 15th.
At the Giro with Giulio
When her boyfriend Giulio Pellizzari had made up his mind to withdraw from the Giro in mid-May, Andrea also had to work hard to convince him to hold on. She never completely believed in that desire to give up, but she was among the names thanked by the young man from the Marche region after second place in Monte Pana. Although Andrea had to leave for Great Britain, the two met when the Brocon arrived.
«It was very emotional to hear him say those words – he says – because the week before I had seen him very down and I felt very sorry for him. But he didn’t give up and I’m happy for that, because he managed to get that nice second place. I didn’t think he would retire, but I understood that he didn’t have great morale, given that he was ill. He had many people close to him, he is a boy who is loved, so many helped him and luckily he didn’t give up.”
And how are you? Did you expect to find so much space at BePink?
No, I didn’t expect that. I still have a lot to learn, I’m one of the youngest on the team and I’m happy to be able to grow little by little. I still have a long way to go, but I’m fine here. Compared to other Italian teams, when it comes to developing young athletes, she is the best.
Last year you ended the season with 40 runs. This year you are already at 39…
Last year I ran a lot, but This year too we are invited to many competitions, so we have the opportunity to do double activity. Indeed, sometimes there is even a lack of runners to participate in all the races we could participate in. It’s lucky to be able to have so many different experiences.
When did you feel like the best Andrea of the season?
I believe in the first stages of the Vuelta. I was very well physically. After chasing my condition in the first part of the season, I felt good in Spaindespite seeing that we still have a lot of work to do to grow.
In what, in your opinion? And how do you realize this?
I need take a little more courage, I’m always afraid of not being up to it yet. I have to leverage the fact of being young and take some more risks. I have nothing to lose, instead I realize that sometimes the only thing that can stop me is the fear of not succeeding. I have to get it off me. Then physically we have to grow, but that will come with the kilometers of running and training.
Your father Stefano was a professional for nine years, is he someone who gives advice or follows in silence?
No, he gives me advice, but without going too far into my sphere. She leaves me my space. When he says something, I’m happy to listen to him because I admire him and I know he never talks nonsense.
Is your coach Walter Zini?
No, I’m followed by a boy from Trento called Stefano Nardelli and who raced by bike. I’m enjoying myself very well, because I know him and it’s easy to reach him.
In the hypothesis of doing the Giro d’Italia, what could be one of your objectives?
I don’t know, I’d like to show off as much as possible. Trying to go on the run and take risks, exceeding my limits. And then I would do my best to help my classmates. This year there are some that do really well in stage races and hill climbs and I would be happy if we could get a team result.
