21-year-old bags first rainbow jersey for Italy, placing fourth in the new combined elite-U23 TT at Worlds
Vittoria Guazzini brings Italy first rainbow jersey in U23 women's time trial of Wollongong World Championships(Image credit: Getty Images)
Vittoria Guazzini gave Italy its first rainbow jersey of the 2022 UCI Road World Championships on Saturday in Wollongong, Australia. The 21-year-old won the under-23 women's time trial world title held as part of a new combined elite-U23 category event.
"I was very nervous because time trials always make me nervous. It's a discipline that I like, and it's a race inside myself. So, in the end, it didn't count to think about under-23 or elites, I just went full gas from start to finish," Guazzini said in the post-race press conference while wearing her new rainbow jersey.
"From the radio, I heard that I had a good time among the elites. I was trying to be on the [elite] podium, too, but the other riders were strong. I'm satisfied with my performance. I now get to wear this jersey. It's always a dream to wear the rainbow stripes and so I'm satisfied and proud of myself."
Guazzini finished fourth among the combined elite-U23 34.2km time trial that was held along two laps of a circuit that included a climb over Dumfries. She finished 52 seconds behind elite time trial world champion Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands), 40 seconds behind silver medallist Grace Brown (Australia) and just 11 seconds behind bronze medallist Marlen Reusser (Switzerland).
"For me, climbing is really hard. So, I have to say that today I had very good legs so, I had a good feeling since the start and I didn't feel the climb too much," Guazzini said.
"I was really motivated to wear this jersey and when I was on the course I was thinking to go as fast as possible, not to focus on anything else, and to just remember the corners, push full gas until the end."
This is the first year the UCI awards world titles to under-23 women in both the time trial and the road race held on September 24. Rather than offer standalone events for the under-23 women, as they have offered the under-23 men's category since 1996, the governing body has made the controversial decision to wrap the under-23 women’s competition into the elite women events, but it aims to provide standalone races in 2025.
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Vittoria Guazzini brings Italy first rainbow jersey in U23 women's time trial of Wollongong World Championships (Image credit: Getty Images)
"I think it's good that there is now an under-23 category for women because it's very big jump going from junior to elite and now if you know that you can compete, and win something for yourself, it's a big motivation," Guazzini said
"Now until 2025, it will be in the middle [combined] of the elite race, so for now we have to be satisfied with this, but with two separate races, of course, it will be even better. Right now, I will enjoy my title and we will see what will happen in the future."
Guazzini won the under-23 title at the standalone event held at the European Championships last year and now adds the under-23 world title to her palmares. Asked if she hopes to one-day add an elite world time trial title to her collection, she said: "Of course, this gives me a lot of motivation.
"The time trial is a discipline where you race against yourself, so I'm very happy with my performance. I think I did a really good race and it gives me hope that I'm going in the right direction for the future. Hopefully, I will also wear this jersey in the elite category too. Who knows?"
Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.
Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.
She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.
