The weeks of truth for South Tyrol’s cycling hope

After about a month of intensive training, there are several races scheduled in the coming days and weeks: The aim is to convince in order not to have to give up on the Olympic hopes. Full concentration on training "I haven't felt well in the last few months, I just haven't been able to get into shape," explains Elena Pirrone. That's why she has decided not to race and to concentrate exclusively on training for a month. She made this decision together with her team Valcar. Intensive training sessions were scheduled in and around Bolzano. Now the 22-year-old from Steinmannwald near Leifers, who made South Tyrolean cycling history as a junior in 2017 with gold in the individual time trial and road race at the World Championships and who has also been very convincing in recent elite years, feels ready for the next challenges. Now things are happening one after the other On Wednesday, Pirrone set off for Spain. From Milan-Linate, he flew to Madrid, from there to Bilbao, then to Navarra. The "Vuelta a Navarra", a prestigious two-day race, is scheduled for today and tomorrow in the autonomous region. Then it continues in quick succession. On Sunday, the "Grand Prix Ciudad de Eibar" takes place. On May 18, another one-day race will take place, the "Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria". The road race covers 113 kilometers. Elena Pirrone at the European Championship 2020. © Twila Federica Muzzi

From May 20th to 23rd, a landmark 4-day stage race is scheduled: the Vuelta Burgos. "It will definitely be exhausting, there will be lots of climbs in the next races, the Spaniards like that," laughs Pirrone. After the Vuelta Burgos, it should become clear where the path, or at least the direction, is going.

Because there is still a lot of uncertainty about the Olympics. The final decisions are not expected to be made until June. "I'm trying to do well in the races that are still to come, then I can see what is possible," explains Pirrone. Olympic qualification: The next results have to be right The only thing that is certain so far is that the only place in the time trial has now been given to 29-year-old Elisa Longo Borghini, which has significantly worsened Pirrone's chances of winning the Olympics - she won U2019 bronze in the individual time trial in 23 and narrowly missed out on a medal last year. Longo Borghini will therefore probably also receive one of - as of now - four places for the road race. Pirrone is hoping for another. However, the results in the next races have to be right for this.

Other highlights this season include the U23 European Championships and the Elite World Championships. The European Championships will take place in Trento from September 8th to 12th. This is almost a home race for Pirrone. She is one of the medal candidates there, especially in the individual time trial.

According to the current status, the World Cup is scheduled for September 19 to 26. Pirrone hopes to be nominated for the azure blue national team.

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The weeks of truth for South Tyrol’s cycling hope

She was and is considered one of the most promising talents in Italian cycling. Elena Pirrone has had a difficult time recently.

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