"At 5 years old, I was already good at handstands and splits. I was registered with the Tribiano sports society, my hometown. In artistic gymnastics, I started winning early," says Linda Laporta, 26 years old, now on the cycling launch pad, who triumphed in the Palù di Giovo time trial in 2025.

After numerous successes in artistic gymnastics with national team appearances, Linda has the opportunity to enter the top echelons of Italian, perhaps even European, women's cycling. "My favorite gymnastic discipline," continues Linda, a BePink team member since January 2025, "was the balance beam, which I adored."

She competed in artistic gymnastics for Fanfulla Lodi, Pro Patria Milano, and Forza e Coraggio. "I gave my best in terms of victories and international competition participation between ages 14 and 18. My competitors and I hoped to emulate Vanessa Ferrari, a true artistic gymnastics phenomenon."

Linda's gymnastic career stalled after reaching adulthood. "I was hot-headed," notes the athlete born in Milan and raised in Tribiano, now residing in Bastiglia (Modena), "and gymnastics increasingly required patience and meticulousness. They told me to train for strength, but I preferred focusing on jumps. And I didn't always follow the dietary regime."

This led to a halt in her activity and a brief appearance in running. "It gave me nice satisfactions, and my colleagues were kind to me." She almost accidentally approached the world of cycling. "In 2022, I met some triathlon practitioners, and the bike began to intrigue me. I bought a Trek with an inadequate frame for my measurements. However, it was beautiful, I liked it, and using it, I felt strong. Cycling-wise, I was at the alphabet, but by trying and retrying to pedal and especially to unclip from the quick-release pedals, I intuited it was worth persisting. It felt like my first steps on the balance beam, just like when I was 5 and frequented the Tribiano gym."

Courage was never lacking for Miss Laporta: "After a few pleasant outings, I increased my kilometers to 120, 130, and more. I felt great sensations climbing the Apennines." Naturally, advice came from her best friend: "Luca Bertani, then an amateur from Pregnana, was among those who encouraged me to venture into serious cycling."

Some tried to divert Linda towards gran fondos. "That didn't stimulate me; I preferred racing with girls my age. I'm a lion in every sense, a fighter. And my love for the bike grew stronger. On December 22, 2022, I had a dream: I saw myself in the group, with the world's strongest. A beautiful dream that has largely come true."

Simone Trigato, a manager at the Cento velodrome, connected her with Roberto Baldoni, a well-known team patron. Linda was registered with Zhiraf, one of Baldoni and Andrea Carlesi's teams. She began racing with the Elite in the Ponente in Rosa Trophy and other international races. Her performance was good, and for the 2024 season, Baldoni included her in the BTC Ljubljana-Zhiraf team.

"The profession challenged me," Linda admits. "I didn't know how to ride in a group, I wasted energy, but they said I was strong." The girl from Lombardy and adopted Modenese went to the University Center in Bologna. "Athletic tests revealed high values."

Walter Zini, the team manager, subsequently sent her to Mapei Sport in Olgiate Olona (Varese) for additional tests, with equally excellent results. The Milanese manager thus decided to include her in the 2025 BePink-Imatra-Bongioanni roster. The rest is history: Linda Laporta not only triumphed in the Trentino time trial-open but also placed among the top 10 in international races and contributed to BePink's success in the Italian Regions Cup team classification.

"At the Giro d'Italia and other international races, I felt like I was touching the sky," adds Laporta. After the pink race, Zini sent the emerging Linda to high altitude in Livigno. "I was there for 20 days. All good, I returned from Valtellina with an exceptional pedal stroke." Linda performed strongly in the Giro dell'Emilia. "On Monte Calvo, the selection was made, and I remained at the front, among the top 30." At the finish, after two climbs of San Luca, she concluded 20th. At the Tre Valli Varesine, she finished 34th, ninth at the Tessile & Moda Trophy atop Oropa, eighth at the Giro del Veneto. Note: In the Giro dell'Emilia, Tessile & Moda, and "Veneto", among many World Tour champions, Linda was the best among girls registered in UCI Continental teams. Excellent for a girl who until summer 2022 didn't know what cycling was.

"Training with Zini and his advice improved me. Walter was like an older brother or even a second dad: I owe him so much. BePink is Continental, but with an organization similar to a Professional or World Tour team. Among the Continental teams, it's the one that does the most international activities, so it helps us improve our technical skills. I'm extremely happy to belong to BePink."

Speaking of the road ahead: "I'll say it again, I was born under the lion's sign, and I'll try to prove it in 2026. Nothing should be overlooked; I might debut in mid-January at the El Salvador races. Now I want to win." Recently, Linda was honored at the Emilia Romagna FCI Committee festival. On this occasion, she received compliments from the Professional Cycling League president, Roberto Pella. "The Cycling League," Linda specifies, "is creating great benefits for women's cycling. Pella's initiatives are important for us."