At the World Championship in Bergen in Norway he raised his hands to the sky twice, crossing the finish line first, two gold medals that kept the blue pride of cycling high. We are talking about the 18 year old Elena Pirrone from Bolzano , who, a month ago, made the Italians dream by becoming the 2017 Junior World Champion in two categories: the time trial and the line test .
A humble and smiling girl who likes to have fun and be in company. For Mondiali.it you wanted to tell us about your world championship experience and what her future will be, both sporting and non-sporting.
One month after the victory, what do you think you have achieved
In reality I must say that I still struggle to achieve! (laughs ed) In the sense that, I’m very happy to have won two golds, but I’m still a bit incredulous at that stage. I was in Norway to honor the blue jersey and I think I did it in the best way.
What did you feel when you were about to cross the finish line and when you crossed it
? I am told that “now they can no longer take me back!”, also because when I was 10 km from the finish I had some doubts about the accumulated advantage and if I had held up to the end, I also had problems with the radio.
However the body responded to the great and at the last kilometer I went away very calmly.
Between the two races won, which was harder
I can clearly say that the time trial is physical effort: because in any case in 19/20 minutes of competition you need to give your best throughout the course and for all the time.
If, on the other hand, I think of the level of agitation, I feel like saying the line test because before I leave there is always that question mark. At the start I never know what can enter the race, so as long as I don’t make the attack, I’m on the go!
Getting to the line test already with a gold medal around your neck gave you more energy or you tried to reset everything
I can confirm that just before the start of the road test I thought “I won a gold, let’s try to win another!”. I was convinced of what I could accomplish and I threw myself into the race, and in the end it went well in both exits.
I guess you have made many sacrifices, who has best guided you on this path
In reality, in my opinion, when there is passion in doing things, I do not consider sacrifices as such. There have been some bad times, like last year when I had a physical problem in the winter and who lasted all season. However, in this case there was the support of my parents, especially my father who is also my coach and my sporting director. Thanks to them I faced everything and I managed to do with the right charge.
Soon you will appear among the professionals, with what spirit you will make this leap
Until the end of 2017 I will be part of the Juniores, from 2018 I will step among the professionals and I will do it with the spirit of the one who wants to get involved.
I know for sure that the first year will be difficult and transitory because of the school too. But I want to give my best and I want to see what I can do, and the two golds won give me a lot of energy.
Do you want to take the Giro Rosa
I would love it. For next year, alas, it will be difficult because of the state exams at the scientific high school. For the next editions, see! However it is one of my goals.
Besides you also other blue on the podium: Alessia Vigilia and Letizia Paternoster. You are friends as well as colleagues
I have known Letizia Paternoster since I was 6 years old. We started racing in two different teams but we made friends right from the start. Likewise, Alessia Vigilia too, before we didn’t see each other much, while now she is one of my best friends.
Since you had this passion for cycling
I had my first red tricycle as a child, even if I have increasingly preferred the little bike with wheels.
My father immediately joined me due to the fact that he has always raced too, as has my mother. I come from a family with a great cycling tradition and I have continued on this path. From an early age I immediately wanted my parents to enroll me in a cycling company.
At the beginning they were a little hesitant because cycling is often attributed to a hard and tiring sport. My parents have never given me pressure, it is I who have insisted so much because my mother wanted me to do figure skating, better as it went! (laughs ed).
How you were welcomed in class and in Bolzano, after the victory
They welcomed me in the best way, I almost felt part of a family. They made me a cake in the shape of a bike with rainbow wheels and I received a little thought as well as a bouquet of flowers from the teachers. I was also very happy to receive postcards and congratulations from people who saw the race on TV as well as from the mayor and the city council.
What do you like doing in your free time
I love being in company. I enjoy being with my friends and even when I am at home I love being surrounded by my loved ones. I really enjoy!
In your future there is only cycling or do you intend to continue your studies
My intentions are to enroll at the University, at the Faculty of Law and thus combine studies and cycling.
Dario Sette
