Marta Cavalli: "I thought about quitting"

Rome, 12 January 2025 - If Italian men's cycling is struggling, women's cycling has been at the feet of several highly respected protagonists for several seasons. Among them is Martha Cavalli, who however has recently experienced such difficult times that he has even thought about retiring.  

Cavalli's statements

Winner in the magic year 2022 di Amstel Gold Race e Vallone Arrow, in addition to second place in Giro d'Italia Women, the Lombard then had to deal with many, too many physical problems (above all the bad head injury suffered at Tour de France Women), as he bluntly declared to the microphones of CyclingFlits. "I have to be honest: I was on the verge of retiring and giving up my professional career. But just when I was about to say goodbye I met a person (Mirco, my new boyfriend, and former junior rider, ed.) who believed in me and helped me get back into the game. The last two seasons have been difficult on a physical level, but today I'm better on a mental level. I feel that cycling is still my greatest passion and that this is my dream job. It's been a difficult period, but now I look to the future with optimism". In short, the worst is behind me for Cavalli, which in the meantime, almost as if wanting to turn the page symbolically, has also changed teams, moving from FDJ-Suez al Team Picnic PostNL: as always, however, the road will have the final say. "Today it is difficult to say where I am physically. In 2022 I was at the top and today I'm definitely further behind, but maybe not as bad as you might think. Last season, with few games on the scoresheet, certainly didn't help me, but now I'm ready to push myself further physically, also thanks to the coaches. Now, however, the priority is to integrate into the new team and see how I will work with them". The unknown factor when you are recovering from serious injuries could be the return to the group and its chaos. "I don't know if I'll be scared: I'm working on it. What I know is that I still want to focus on Paris-Roubaix, one of the most beautiful races there is". Finally, thoughts on a 2025 full of unknowns but also fascinating. "If I finish the year without victories I will be happy anyway because this season will be a basis for the future. I will start from Vuelta de la Comunitat Valenciana with the hope of being at the top for the Ardennes. Then I will think about the Grand Tours, but the certainty is that I will not run all three. I will face everything very calmly, trying to enjoy each step".

De Buyst's statements

 Il 2024 it was black for too Jasper De Buyst, which a Spouse but he gave some explanations. "After the Covid I have developed asthma: I have lost 35% of my lung capacity and from now on I will have to use an inhaler. It is an extreme situation but that does not mean that it can put an end to my career also because I am not the only one in the group with this problem".

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