After giving the first podium to Valcar – Travel & Service at the Giro Donne in the Bergamo stage, Silvia Persico writes another page in the history of the team taking it to the second step of the podium at the Tour de France Femmes.
After giving the first podium to Valcar – Travel & Service at the Giro Donne in the Bergamo stage, Silvia Persico writes another page in the history of the team taking it to the second step of the podium at the Tour de France Femmes. In the second stage of the Grande Boucle with arrival in Provins, the Bergamo-based woman, who today celebrated her 25th birthday, entered the breakaway that had matured 19 kilometres from the finish and decided the race.
Demonstrating great tactical acumen, Silvia understood that after the flying finish line in Provins (and especially along the streets of the historic centre) it would be possible to surprise the sprinters.
“The first to warn me that there would be this chance was Davide Arzeni this morning, explaining that even the wind could have broken the group”, explains Silvia Persico. «Then passing under the finish line for the intermediate sprint I was convinced that it could have been a final for me».
For this reason, the Valcar – Travel & Service athlete was in the top positions of the group when Elisa Balsamo, Elisa Longo Borghini, Marianne Vos, Katarzyna Niewiadoma and Maike van der Duin launched into the attack, immediately managing to tag along. A well-assorted squad made up of top-level athletes who spun towards the finish line, without allowing the group to return.
Silvia Persico embraced by Alice Maria Arzuffi – credit T. Muzzi
“In the end, a heavy second place arrived, which I am satisfied with”, continues the athlete who grew up in the blue-fuchsia training nursery. «The efforts of the Giro Donne are felt, but physically they are still there: so I’ll try again, living day by day. Maybe, with a little luck, I could get myself a nice birthday present. I would gladly accept the yellow jersey, even if a couple of days later than my birthday. “
Only 10 seconds separating her from Marianne Vos and the top of the standings: a gap that can be bridged in the third stage with arrival in Épernay?