A week ago, at the Mexican velodrome in Aguascalientes, Vittoria Bussi set the world record for the Individual Pursuit over 4 kilometers, recording a time of 4'23".642, a performance added to the new Hour Record (50.455, ed.) that the Roman athlete had established on May 10th, improving her previous record. Returning to Italy on Monday, Vittoria told tuttobiciweb about her adventure.

Vittoria, Hour Record and World Pursuit Record: two primacies achieved, goal reached and challenge won. Are you satisfied?

"By nature, I'm never completely satisfied. I always say 'I could have done better' but I'm aware that I've achieved a great result".

You've always emphasized that the challenge was to establish both records together.

"Exactly. These are not just two records but two performances done in a very short time, and while a small group of male athletes have done this, at the female level, no one had ever attempted it. The difficulty wasn't in doing the Hour Record or the Pursuit Record, but doing them together, and I believe this can open the field to various physiological studies and training insights. To better explain what I mean, I always use the track and field example: it's like training to attempt both the marathon and 1500 meters record".

Let's talk about the Hour Record. Compared to 2023, did you prepare or do anything differently?

"The biggest differences are in the time available for preparation: having two such different records as a goal, I had to divide my preparation and couldn't focus solely on it, and honestly, this year was a bit more 'heavy'".

Compared to two years ago, you also chose a different time of year. Did the climate affect you?

"It was very hot and finding the right moment to hit the track wasn't easy, especially in the Hour attempt. The plan was to attempt the record on May 9th, but then I postponed because I suffered from the heat that day".

In the approach to the challenge, we talked about physical preparation at altitude, but mentally how did you approach the Hour Record?

"By not thinking about time, I would have gone crazy. These days I was also comparing notes with Francesco Moser, who told me it was important to think about rhythm. I tried to isolate myself, focus on something else, organize playlists and play music on the track".

Like what?

"Tracks that gave the right boost, even something club-like".

And in terms of nutrition, how do you prepare for an Hour Record?

"Since 2021, I've been working with nutritionist Marco Perugini who started an important journey with me, working on the effective use of carbohydrates. It's important to emphasize that in preparing for the Hour and Pursuit, I spent many hours on the bike. Long rides of four, five, and even six hours must never be missing, and endurance, that's the base and must be strong".

Moving to materials and technique, did you work on or with anything different from 2023?

"We didn't make significant modifications compared to two years ago. My position on Hope is still the same, known for being very high and compact. No major innovations in materials, we rather focused on solutions that would work for both attempts without completely changing everything between the Hour and Pursuit".

Speaking of the Pursuit record, tell us a bit...

"After the Hour Record, we returned to the Velodrome to prepare for the Pursuit: doing starts, trying things out. Specifically, on the day of the Pursuit attempt, it wasn't easy, at first it was a bit heavy because I had to rediscover the right leg and brilliance. Coming from the Hour, I was a bit stiff, I approached the record gradually".

Vittoria, now, back from Aguascalientes with two records and a double challenge won, what are the next objectives?

"For now, no objectives on the horizon. I've given everything for this challenge, now I need to 'breathe', recharge at home and enjoy what I've conquered".