Interview Rebecca Gariboldi

Italian cyclocross is enjoying one of its best winters in recent memory. Podiums, wins, and above all, impressive depth across the board. Today, we listen to one of their cyclocross ambassadors. Rebecca Gariboldi is doing the last races of her excellent season so far. The 29-year old rider has achieved top 10 spots in World Cups & other close results in other major races. Despite her place among the Worlds' best, the Italian federation opted to select only one women elite rider for the Worldchampionships in January. Leaving her & other talented riders at home. In this interview, she opens up about the impact of that decision on herself & Italian cyclocross overall, but she also would like to share all the positive highlights that made her season. 

You have achieved your best season ever with multiple top 10 spots in World Cup races. How have you experienced it?

I’m really very satisfied with this cyclocross season. I can say that it is my first season as a professional and I have worked really hard to achieve this improvement. I knew I had room for improvement compared to the past and being able to dedicate myself to cycling 100% is making a difference. I’m glad that the hard work was rewarded by beautiful results, even better than I expected in fact. The season is not over yet but I can’t wait to work even harder and look for an improvement again for next season.

Despite your place among the Worlds' best, you were not selected for Worldchampionships. How do you feel about that decision?

Obviously I’m very disappointed and frustrated about it. Not every year you can fight to get into the top ten in a world championship, and not being selected after so much hard work was really sad, not only for me but also for my team. They invest a lot and clearly worked hard all season to aspire to get a good result at the world championship. I am also sorry for the young Italians who are now 100% supported by the federation, but who will grow and when élite they will be completely abandoned. This hurts me because I love my sport and I care about the growth of Italian cyclocross. I think this system forces young people to focus on other disciplines for the future because they don’t see a perspective in front of them.

Italy had a very strong season overall with you, Sara Casasola & Lucia Bramati. Would you like to use this opportunity to call for more support for the sport?

Just like I said, the Italian level of women’s elite cyclocross is really in a great moment and it’s a shame that the system didn’t realize it. Also because we are girls who have chosen to do cyclocross as a primary discipline, and it is not certain that in the future there will be other young women willing to do it. It’s really a shame not to “exploit” this moment. In any case, this is certainly thanks to the teams that allow us to do activities, especially internationally: I think this was the key to the improvement of all of us.

What are your ambitions in cycling?

I don’t have a goal in terms of results, but what stimulates me the most every day is always raising the bar higher. Every season I have improved and this season maybe I have made a bigger improvement since I compete, and at 29 years old it is not obvious. Anyway, I don’t think I’ve reached my limit and so I definitely want to work even harder to try to find it.

How did you discover cyclocross?

When I was 10 years old I raced mountainbike, but I trained with a group of kids from my city who practiced road cycling and cyclocross in winter. Following their races as soon as I was old enough to be able to start competing in cyclocross as U13 I started and it was immediately love. I never got off my cyclocross bike and in the years to come I chose to dedicate myself to this discipline.

What do you like the most about the sport?

The fact of setting a goal and working hard to achieve it every day, and not giving up in front of obstacles is what I like the most. The satisfaction you feel when you reach a goal after so much hard work is priceless. And then I love cycling at 360º degrees, nothing makes me feel like when I ride a bike.

How will you spend the Summer season?

Since cyclocross is my main goal, in summer I compete alternating mountain biking, road and gravel, but just at national level, all functional to the preparation for the next winter season

What are your main interests outside cycling?

I really like to travel, in fact right now I’m planning my next holiday; i like good food (gluten-free unfortunately 😂); I like to enjoy time with my husband when our paths cross, since we are always on the road, being him a former professional cyclist and now DS to the MBH bank CSB Telecom Fort team; I also love being with my family and friends; and let’s not forget a little shopping …😬