With their inaugural season at Ceratizit-WNT drawing to a close, Arianna and Martina Fidanza- the two Italian siblings – are looking forward to another year in women’s cycling after a winter break and talked to BiciPro.it. This year marked the sisters’ reunion as teammates, reviving memories of their time at Eurotarget, the team their father Giovanni managed. While the year had its ups and downs for both, it also provided moments that saw each of them enjoy the top step of the podium to offset the lows.
The sisters on the course
Despite participating in only 15 races together this season, amounting to 21 race days, the sisters have managed to make their mark. In January, Arianna kicked off 2023 with a win at Almeria, defeating a formidable opponent in Emma Norsgaard. Yet possibly the peak of their family achievements came in April during Ronde de Mouscron. On a horrible day in the rain in Belgium, Martina won the race, edging ahead in a sprint initiated by Arianna, who finished fourth. The race aftermath was a celebration of family unity and strategy.
Trials and triumphs
Martina discussed the year as a rollercoaster of highs and lows. She faced numerous crashes, head injuries, and even problems with her sciatic nerve. Despite this, she bagged the victory at Mouscron and two second-place finishes, showing resilience and spirit. On the other hand, Arianna started the season robustly, even tackling climbs in the UAE Tour. She later encountered a rough patch due to crashes and issues with the summer heat. Nevertheless, both sisters are set to gain from the lessons of this year.
Being teammates again
Martina spoke warmly of rejoining Arianna on Ceratizit-WNT. She cherished their on-race synchronicity, saying, “The understanding during the race is felt.” Arianna echoed similar sentiments, mentioning how racing with her sister heightened their mutual awareness and support. Both sisters acknowledged they had taught each other about resilience. Martina admired Arianna’s knack for bouncing back during challenging moments, while Arianna gained from Martina’s attention to detail and precision.
The path ahead
Martina is taking a short rest before focusing on the European track championships in January. She aims to fully participate in the Olympics, having been a reserve in Tokyo 2021. Arianna, too, has an eye on 2024, wanting to sustain her early-season form over an entire year. Martina stressed the importance of good placements in the Nations Cup on the track and European Championships for national qualifications. Arianna lamented the lack of contact with the Italian national road team despite her early-season performance but aspires to wear the Italian colours again.
As the season turns, the Fidanza sisters offer an intimate portrait of family ties woven into the fabric of professional cycling. Their collective gaze is firmly fixed on the horizon, marking them as ones to watch in the women’s peloton.
