Talk about Rachele Barbieri (Pavullo nel Frignano, 25 years old) is talking about speed. The Italian is one of those runners that is almost in danger of extinction, especially in the women’s peloton, which combines track cycling with road cycling, with more than respectable merits on asphalt: national silver on the road, European bronze, second in a stage of the Giro Donne… But it is in the velodromes where the Liv Racing Xstra rider, the team with which she made the leap to the World Tour In the last season, he has shone more, with a world gold (scratch, 2017) and two Europeans (omnium and madison, 2022).
And it is in these scenarios where Rachele is immersed now, in full competition, on the occasion of the second edition of the UCI Track Champions League, where next Saturday he will face the second round of the program in Berlin (started 8th overall in resistance in Mallorca). “I am very, very excited, especially to know that they are trying to relaunch this sport so much (track mode), that will have so many viewers… Many friends will follow me from home, like in a European, World Cup or Olympic Games. I am very happy, although it will be demanding ”, Barbieri explained emotionally when speaking to AS about what a Champions League with a double role means for her: “First of all, the goal will be to have fun and give a show. Afterwards, obviously, I am very competitive and I want to get the best result. Fighting for victory will be difficult because I don’t reach this Champions League 100%, but it will allow me to get to the road in better condition after winter.”
And that next season on the road, in optimal conditions, will pass through two great stages, but above all, a Tour de France that in 2023 will reach a new dimension with the addition of the Tourmalet. “Next year I plan to ride the Tour de France. I still have to discuss my calendar with the team, because the European track (8 to 12 February) can change my schedule. It will be demanding to combine it, but above all I want to be in the Giro and the Tour”, explained the Italian about her future calendar in women’s cycling that, in the words of Rachele, continues to progress by leaps and bounds: “Women’s cycling is growing so much… For us it is a great satisfaction, to see so much media return, so many sponsors, so much visibility… I think it still needs to continue growing and not stay here, but it’s very nice to know that our values are being seen, our importance”.
Last but not least, on the horizon of 2024 what would be his second Olympic Games, where he would be on the same stage where he attended this medium in the run-up to the Champions League, the Velodrome National de Saint Quentin en Yvelines (Paris), an extremely special event for Barbieri (He has the Olympic rings tattooed): “I dream a lot about being in the Paris Games. It was very nice to be here at the World Cups (at the Velodrome National) and see these stands full of people. It’s really exciting because It makes you dream of what this could be at the 2024 Olympics, but I hope I don’t dream anymore in the future and really live it.” With its promising potential, it will surely be in Paris.