There's no point beating around the bush, the UAE ADQ team is at the Giro Women for the pink jersey, all for Elisa Longo Borghini who wants to defend her crown. General classification isn't discussed openly, partly out of superstition and partly because it seems almost pointless when you're dealing with a champion ready to wear the number one on her back, but her teammates know exactly what their objective is.

Alongside the Italian champion will be a roster of athletes for all terrains who will be fundamental in controlling the race and making it more aggressive. Silvia Persico and Eleonora Camilla Gasparrini are now a guarantee, often crucial to UAE ADQ's tactics and capable of carving out personal space as well. Last year at the Giro they built Elisa's victory piece by piece, just as Alena Amialiusik has done, who has now lost count of the grand tours she's participated in. Erica Magnaldi will have a key role in the mountains and especially on the Sestriere and Colle delle Finestre, the climbs of her heart that she knows practically by heart. Mavi Garcia is the team's new entry, a woman of experience and a phenomenal athlete capable of winning and making others win, as happened at the Vuelta with Paula Blasi. The Spanish rider, already on the Giro podium in 2022, loves our country and when the racing gets tough she never backs down. And then Lara Gillespie, making her debut in the pink race, but with a stage podium at the Tour behind her, strong in the sprint and who knows, maybe together with Gasparrini we could see her sprinting in the first stage.

Elisa Longo Borghini's approach to the Giro has been anything but simple. As she told us exclusively a few weeks ago, the Italian champion had to deal with a difficult April that forced her to stay away from racing and only get back on the bike at the end of the month. Then 20 days of training at Teide with the team, a way to make up for lost time and be ready. «It's been a very complicated spring for me, but finally I feel very good. My April wasn't peaceful, especially mentally, but fortunately I had special people by my side. Then I went up to Teide for 20 days and working with my teammates was extremely helpful. I don't know if I've found myself again, but I've certainly lost a bit of myself since I worked hard and maybe left a few grams on the road.» says Elisa, joking as is her custom, giving us confirmation that she's truly the same as always. Her squad teammates will have the delicate task of standing by her at every moment of the race, putting her in the best conditions to give her best and also managing the pressure. «The Giro is my favorite race, but it's very hard. I'm ready to give my best for the team, we're all motivated, but above all we mustn't put too much pressure on ourselves. We're here to do our job, but we mustn't put too much pressure on ourselves, and especially we mustn't let it fall on Elisa's shoulders because she's an extraordinary champion» added Mavi Garcia, confirming the cohesion of a squad that has distinguished itself by the close relationship of friendship and trust between its athletes.

One day until the start and all the girls of Team UAE ADQ can't wait to race the Giro. In the last three days Eleonora, Erica and Elisa will ride on what are the roads of home and it's precisely in Piedmont that the pink race will be decided. «Racing the Giro is always something special, but particularly this year as it comes to places close to my heart. Since I started cycling I think I've spent at least a month or two a year on the Sestriere, which has become a bit like my second home. In all those hours of hard training I've dreamed many times that it could be a stage finish right there and finally it's happening, I can't wait» says Erica Magnaldi, revealing her emotion and inviting all her fellow citizens to come out on the streets to support them. Elisa Longo Borghini has set two important appointments: 3 km from the Sestriere summit with her group of fans with sweets, bread and cheers, and the last day of racing to celebrate the passage through Osasco, the hometown of Jacopo Mosca. In both cases fun and company are guaranteed.

Meanwhile there is anticipation and hope for this new placement of the Giro Women, right after the men's race; a choice that according to organizers should attract more spectators and more media coverage. The balance sheets will only be drawn up at the end of the race, but in the meantime there's someone who's already asking Elisa Longo Borghini to think about the Tour. «We'll see what happens at the Giro and how I feel, for me this is a truly special race – says Longo – we'll think about the Tour afterwards but certainly the primary objective will be to finish it. I want to arrive safe and sound at the Nice finish line and if I manage it I'll make t-shirts that say "Elisa finally finished the Tour".»