The month of June and the upcoming summer constitute an ideal turning point or – to use more cycling terms – a flying finish line, an intermediate sprint, which allows you to think back to past races and look towards future events.
We did it together with Paolo Sangalli, technical commissioner of the women’s national road teamin view of the next big events of the season, namely – among others – Women’s Tour (this year organized for the first time by RCS Sport), Olympics and World Championships.
How is Elisa Balsamo? Is there time to get fit for the Olympics?
“Better, he recently had a check-up and things are going well, so we’re all confident. We have two months before the Olympics and, for the type of athlete he is, I’m sure there won’t be any problems, he’s recovering well and quickly.”
Could the Olympics, considering the only 4 athletes per team and that tear at the end, be more suitable for Elisa Longo Borghini?
“Balsamo and Longo Borghini have proven to be the best performing, and it is a path that suits both athletes well”.
Does the fact that Elisa Balsamo also has to prepare the track worry you or doesn’t it change much for the road?
“Absolutely no. Multidisciplinarity is important, and therefore there is no problem, it can only do so much good.”
Do you think Vittoria Guazzini can compete for a medal in the time trial in Paris?
“The Italian Championships will give indications on the athletes to bring to Paris, if it were to be the athlete of the World Championships in Australia we can play for the medal. The competition will be between her and Longo Borghini.”
Marta Cavalli remains far from the one she was 2 years ago: do you have hope that she will return to her old self? And what’s missing?
“She is preparing for the Giro Donne and if she were to run well there, the World Championship could certainly become an objective too”.
Gaia Realini is going through a difficult time…
“Gaia crashed in the Vuelta and had to go home. She is also preparing for the Giro Donne, so we are waiting to see her there, there will be a couple of stages, especially the Blockhaus one, which will be decisive.”
Letizia Paternoster is starting to get noticed on the road too: where can she go?
“He is making an excellent run towards the Olympics on the track, this winter – for the first time – he had no problems and therefore had the opportunity to prepare in the best possible way, and the results are visible”.
Federica Venturelli is the great talent of the future: for one-day races or even stage races?
“Federica is a talent that can also be worked on for stage races, but we have to wait a few years. She will have a big advantage on the time trials, but physically she will have to try to limit the damage a little in the more difficult stages.”
Do you think Italy can win a Grand Tour or is Vollering out of reach?
“Maybe we can win it already this year with one of these girls.”
Can you give us some names of some interesting young people with a future perspective?
“Among the Unders I saw Giada Borghesi well, a nice surprise, she is running well and could also be interesting for Avenir. Francesca Barale and Eleonora Gasparrini are also growing well and steadily. We have many promising young players, but also among the big names we have some excellent names and, above all, young ones. We have a good movement, all we have to do is work well.”
