WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER
GIULIO CICCONE
Trek-Segafredo
‘I’m helping raise funds to buy hospital ventilators’
On returning to his Monaco home after the truncated UAE Tour, the Italian had to face the reality that his upcoming spring races were all cancelled
Our quarantine in Abu Dhabi was brief, but things were tough because I had finished a long training block in preparation for great races like Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-San Remo, and races leading up to the Giro d’Italia. Just as we were getting to a key part of the season, we had to stop. People’s health is more important, so a lockdown was the right decision.
At the moment, I usually start training before breakfast. I do an hour of easy pedalling on the rollers, then after breakfast I do an hour of gym exercises including core stability training. In the afternoon, I do 1.5-2 hours on the rollers, working on intensity or strength training.
Staying motivated is the hardest thing. We don’t know when we will restart racing. Using Zwift helps the time pass. When I am having an easy week, I do a few virtual races on Zwift, registering and participating alongside fans and amateur cyclists. This type of competition helps to motivate riders.
I have also started an appeal to raise funds to buy ventilators for the hospital in Chieti, Italy, where I was born. The hospital needs funds to buy more ventilators, so we need to raise around €10,000. It gives me another motivation and I will be offering one of my yellow jerseys or an item of team kit to the highest donor.
My advice to amateur racers is to not take risks cycling outdoors at this time. All it takes is for a silly little thing to happen and you could end up in a hospital – already at capacity. If pros aren’t going out cycling, then the same should apply to amateurs.
ELISA LONGO BORGHINI
Trek-Segafredo
‘I’ll be back in my national jersey,
