Living with coronavirus has been difficult for everyone, but when you are from the Seriana Valley in Bergamo and have raced since the age of 12 with a local team like Valcar – Travel & Service, the experience takes on a deeper meaning. For Silvia Persico, born in 1997 and a true “flag bearer” of the team, the challenge was even more personal: she caught Covid-19 earlier this year.
“I spent 23 days in bed with Covid-19, with strong pain in my kidneys, and I lost both taste and smell,” Persico explained. “In those days I didn’t touch my bike at all, I just slept and ate, over and over. Then I slowly recovered, started training on the turbo again, and eventually got better.”
The emotional impact was just as heavy. “Managing each day during lockdown was tough. Watching Bergamo suffer like that was hard. Seeing the army vehicles carrying coffins on the news was painful, because I feel so deeply connected to my land. Hopefully those moments are now behind us, and I can’t wait to start racing again.”
Persico is set to return in Spain from 23rd July, although she is not yet sure which of the three races she will ride. What is certain is her place on the start line at Strade Bianche in Siena on 1st August. “Right now I’m a little fatigued because we’ve just come back from altitude training. I hope the benefits of the work I’ve done will show when the racing resumes.”
Her goals are clear. “Without doubt I want to improve my climbing.” When asked about her strengths and weaknesses, she is honest. “I don’t think much about myself and I’m a bit too kind – sometimes that can be a flaw. Being a little more selfish in certain moments wouldn’t hurt. But that’s how I am: there’s nothing more beautiful than working hard for my teammates and celebrating our results together. Technically, I’m good at handling the bike on tricky courses.”
That means Belgian classics are particularly appealing. “Yes, I really love racing in Belgium with all the cobbled sectors where technique is so important. And this year the thought of riding the first ever women’s Paris-Roubaix is a dream.”
She also praised the work done to reshape the season. “I thought it would be much worse, that more races would be cancelled. Instead the calendar is excellent, for us and for our sponsors. Everyone has done a great job.”
Her loyalty to Valcar – Travel & Service is evident. “This team feels like a second skin. I’ve been here since I was 12 and I’m deeply connected not only to my teammates, but also to Valentino Villa, Davide Arzeni, and every staff member.”
And the atmosphere in 2020? “We’re a very close team. Maybe we lack an experienced rider to say ‘Stop’ at certain moments, but we’re young and that will help us mature. I feel good with the new teammates and over time we’ll blend even more according to our style.”
That style, she says, is built on respect. “Helping each other, giving our best in training and in races, and respecting our rivals, especially the older ones. In the peloton you even say ‘Sorry’ when you’re right. Respect is essential.”
Despite the many years with the same colours, Persico has no intention of moving. “I’ve already signed my contract with Valcar – Travel & Service for 2021.”
