The young Italian takes third place in the Italian Grand Tour after an impressive team performance
The incredible season of Gaia Realini continues. After impressing the cycling world with her great performances in the first months of her debut year with Lidl-Trek, the young Italian continued the trend placing third in the final podium Giro d’Italia Donne, winning also the white jersey as the best young rider.
From Wednesday until today, every team meeting we had in the morning ended by repeating that we could take the podium and keep it until the end. I’m so, so happy for this result.
Saturday July 08 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 8: Nuoro – Sassari (125.7km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
With this prestigious result, Gaia again showed her aptitude for stage races, after placing 2nd at UAE Tour and 3rd at Vuelta a España. Her strength and her character have been the key factors for the result at the Giro, as well as the teamwork that the whole squad put into action on each day of the race. So, the first Giro Donne of the Lidl-Trek era finished with a podium in GC and a stage win, thanks to Elisa Longo Borghini.
We came with the ambitious idea of hunting stages and fight for GC. And we hit both targets. I’m really proud of what the riders did in these days, the dedication and the team sprit they showed – Ina Yoko Teutenberg
Thursday July 06 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 7: Albenga – Alassio (109.1km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
The Giro Donne in Gaia’s words
This Giro was a new experience for me, both in terms of how I approached it and how I lived it day by day. It was the event I prepared best for, I was at the start with a great desire to test myself, but with the awareness that the first objective was to gain experience. I was ready for whatever team wanted, but then the abandon of Elisa [Longo Borghini] changed things. I found myself being the leader, having the team racing only for me. The goal was to protect me, to not lose a second, to always put me in the best position to face the competition for GC. My teammates did an amazing job. We raced as a Team, with capital T, the only way we know how.
Saturday July 08 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 8: Nuoro – Sassari (125.7km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
From the Vuelta a España to today, I have gained awareness and confidence. And the biggest thanks go to the Team: teammates, team directors and staff. Thanks to them the responsibility of being a leader has never turned into pressure. I could bring out the best because I raced in serenity. These last few days of the Giro are the proof. Nervous, tricky stages that I passed without any problems. It didn’t happen by chance, but it’s the result of our work. From Wednesday until today, every team meeting ended by repeating that we could take the podium and keep it until the end. This conviction gave me incredible strength, and every rider knows that the head counts more than the legs in certain situations.
Wednesday July 05 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 6: Canelli – Canelli (104.4km) Photo: Francesco Rachello / Tornanti.cc
I'm having a dream season, beyond all expectations, I'll keep repeating that. I am super happy. What will come in the next few months we will find out as we go along. Now I’ll have some rest, then we’ll think again about races.
Our best photos from Giro Donne (©Tornanti)
Saturday July 08 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 8: Nuoro – Sassari (125.7km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
Saturday July 01 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 2: Bagno a Ripoli – Marradi (102.1km) Photo: Francesco Rachello / Tornanti.cc
Saturday July 01 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 2: Bagno a Ripoli – Marradi (102.1km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
Saturday July 01 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 2: Bagno a Ripoli – Marradi (102.1km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
Saturday July 01 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 2: Bagno a Ripoli – Marradi (102.1km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
Sunday July 02 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 3: Formigine – Modena (118.2km) Photo: Francesco Rachello / Tornanti.cc
Sunday July 02 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 3: Formigine – Modena (118.2km) Photo: Francesco Rachello / Tornanti.cc
Monday July 03 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 4: Fidenza – Borgo Val di Toro (134km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
Monday July 03 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWEmilia-Romagna Photo: Francesco Rachello / Tornanti.cc
Tuesday July 04 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 5: Salassa – Ceres (143.3km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
Tuesday July 04 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 5: Salassa – Ceres (143.3km) Photo: Francesco Rachello / Tornanti.cc
Wednesday July 05 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 6: Canelli – Canelli (104.4km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
Wednesday July 05 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 6: Canelli – Canelli (104.4km) Photo: Francesco Rachello / Tornanti.cc
Wednesday July 05 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 6: Canelli – Canelli (104.4km) Photo: Francesco Rachello / Tornanti.cc
Wednesday July 05 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 6: Canelli – Canelli (104.4km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
Thursday July 06 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 7: Albenga – Alassio (109.1km) Photo: Francesco Rachello / Tornanti.cc
Thursday July 06 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 7: Albenga – Alassio (109.1km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
Thursday July 06 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 7: Albenga – Alassio (109.1km) Photo: Francesco Rachello / Tornanti.cc
Saturday July 08 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 8: Nuoro – Sassari (125.7km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
Saturday July 08 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 8: Nuoro – Sassari (125.7km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
Saturday July 08 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 8: Nuoro – Sassari (125.7km) Photo: Eloise Mavian / Tornanti.cc
Saturday July 08 2023 34th Giro d'Italia Donne (2.WWT) Stage 8: Nuoro – Sassari (125.7km) Photo: Francesco Rachello / Tornanti.cc
