Giro Donne Starts Now!

We caught up with Elisa Longo Borghini and Elisa Balsamo to find out how they are feeling before the start of their home-race…

Elisa Longo Borghini

โ€œI arrive at this Giro with serenity and good feelings about my condition. Rather than start the race with a stated goal, I approach it with a great desire to have fun. The first thought is to go chasing stages together with my teammates. Playing a team game to try to be protagonists, as Trek-Segafredo, every day. Out of all the stages, the one finishing in Bergamo intrigues me a lot and I have already put it on my radar. To those who ask me about the overall standings, I say it is not on my mind.

โ€œThe Womenโ€™s Tour was a very good race in preparation for the Giro, especially in terms of awareness and peace of mind. I gathered the feedback I wanted, I am really in the best mindset to face the Giro. Then, I am part of a strong team, starting with Elisa Balsamo the one who now, I think without exaggeration, is the fastest rider in the peloton. She deserves maximum support and mine will not be lacking. In fact, it will be an honor and a pleasure.โ€

Elisa Balsamo

โ€œI wonโ€™t hide the fact that, with only one day to go, I feel some healthy excitement and tension. Itโ€™s my first Giro and I think itโ€™s part of the game to feel that way. I have never done such a long stage race, so my first thought is to gain confidence and experience. I am confident that I can do a good race, starting with the stages in Sardinia. They are very nice stages and suited to my characteristics.

โ€œAlso giving me confidence is the team that will race with me. We are strong, motivated and really eager to make an important mark. I canโ€™t wait to start this challenge. For me, racing in โ€œmyโ€ Italy with the rainbow jersey and the title of champion of Italy makes me extremely proud. There is also a stage, Sarnico to Bergamo, which starts right outside my home, where I live now. I expect a warm and large crowd. For this reason, too, my first Giro will be special.โ€

Source

Mathew Mitchell
Mathew Mitchellhttp://procyclinguk.com
My name is Mathew Mitchell, 30-something from Staffordshire, UK. Over the last few years, I've got more and more into cycling, from the first innocent Sportive events to Audaxes, Go-Races, British Cycling racing, Time Trials and now Cyclocross.

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