iO Woman at Giro-E 2022: the diary of our stages

To which inevitable, the stage of the Giro-E was combined.

In the Giro-E road book, the stage urban Turin-Turin was rated with three stars out of five, therefore of medium difficulty. Forty kilometers that may seem few, even more so if faced on the saddle of an e-bike (and not just any one). But what a difference in height of a thousand meters and the great heat of a weekend considered one of the hottest since 2003 have made it quite challenging, even if with a high rate of satisfaction.

For those who know them the Superga and Maddalena hills are two challenging walls both uphill and downhill. Especially for those who, like me, use the bike almost every day, yes, but in Milan, on a flat track without technicalities (if we exclude the zigzagging in the jungle of cars and scooters that crowd the streets of the city).

To act as a guide and glue to an all-female team – composed, in addition to me, by Lorenza, Raffaella and Enza – there is the triathlete Alessandra Fior, our captain, who makes all the stages of the tour. She also runs for the Airc Foundationwhich does field research.

In support of the team, then, the manager Dario Rossino, who provided our e-bikes: Olmo model in pink and black, Polini engine, an electronic gearbox that is second to none and practically inexhaustible batteries. Instead, he thought about providing valuable advice on nutrition and proper hydration the RCS team captain, Damiano Cunego, already winner of the 2004 Giro d’Italia and an Amstel Gold Race.

Giro-E how to prepare for departure

Breakfast made – strictly protein based – we are around 10.00 already under a scorching sun near the Valentino park, Turin’s green lung. Here, quick check and bike test, some information on the change and operation of the e-bikes, a chat with the race judge for a review of general and safety rules on the road. And before getting on the saddle, presentation and customary photos on stage, all in registered uniform Italy and branded Enit.

Our team at the Giro-E 2022

Ready, set, go!

From Corso Casale in a few minutes we reach the road that goes up to Superga. Just a hundred meters on a slight slope and the ascent immediately rears up. He almost never gives up, just a few breaths before resuming the slope.

It is about five kilometers of pure fatigue and there are many e-bikers who cannot keep up despite the electric help. There are those who stop exhausted and those who let themselves be carried away by the motorcycles of the local police just enough to get back into the rhythm. On the side of the road, then, there is no lack of support from the passionate public: there are those who sing, those who camp out, those who grill in the rare patches of shade available.

Reached the summit of Superga, we go downhill until we take the panoramic road. Here, on clear days, the view sweeps up to embrace the Alps from the valleys of Cuneo to the Biella area. But the fatigue of the climb clouds my vision a bit. Above all because, after a short detachment, the track starts to rise again, until it reaches Pino Torinese. From here, it’s finally time to go downhill. Not simpleespecially if you are not very familiar with speed, but certainly a lot of adrenaline.

What follows is a lighter coming and going of ups and downs. But the most done. The goal is practically reached. And upon arrival, we just have to smile and rejoice, before taking off our sweat-soaked suits and fatigue conquered with a little electric help, yes, but not without that natural extra-dose of enthusiasm and the necessary extra effort.

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