"Letizia Paternoster will be on the Island of the Famous" is the news bouncing around all Italian gossip sites in recent hours: a rumor that we couldn't ignore, especially since the program is supposed to air in May-June when road events intensify, and it immediately raised our doubts.

"It's a completely unfounded story, and I don't understand who spread it. I never even thought about participating in the Island, I'm a cyclist, I race on bikes, not in a reality show. It's crazy to think how people can imagine such a thing and how quickly news spreads: I'm overwhelmed with messages and phone calls, I can only say that it's all false. I ask you to spread the word that it's all made up, people need to know it's an invention. I'm also reading tons of comments on social media, but right now the only thing I'm thinking about is the race in two days" Letizia tells us, explaining how she has been completely overwhelmed by the news that surprised her.

Many friends and fans have forwarded her the gossip, which came like a bolt from the blue, a total fake news that - as often happens - is spreading from user to user. She wouldn't have been the first professional cyclist to participate in the Island, as Ignazio Moser and Claudio Chiappucci had already taken part in past editions.

Right now, Letizia Paternoster is traveling to Belgium where on Saturday she will participate in the Omloop Nieuwsblad, finally returning to racing after her accident in the first stage of the UAE Tour. "After returning from the Emirates, I was forced to stop for 8 days, it wasn't easy especially because we're at the start of the season and the back pain was very strong - she continued -: in recent days I was in Spain where I resumed training, I put kilometers in my legs and I think I've recovered well. I'm not yet at 100% but I have very good sensations, I can't wait to race".

With Saturday's Omloop, Letizia will begin the classic season where she will fight among the big names in women's cycling to try to earn some satisfaction. The Trentino cyclist will then continue with Le Samyn, Milan Sanremo, and Tour of Flanders, races in which she aims to do very well.

"I'm curious about Sanremo and hope to get an excellent result, just like at the Tour of Flanders, let's say these are the two races I'm focusing on most in this first part of the season. I love the northern classics and can't wait to get back to pedaling, putting the Island of the Famous fake news behind me".