Ahead of the individual time trials we talk to Italy’s Vittoria Guazzini, who won the Women Under 23 category, and Great Britain’s Joshua Tarling, crowned Men Junior 2022 UCI World Champion.
The UCI Cycling World Championships being held in Glasgow and across Scotland from 3 to 13 August will see the action in the individual time trials (ITT) unfold in Stirling from 9 to 11 August. As these spectacular battles approach, two of the specialty’s outgoing UCI World Champions tell us about their feelings for the rainbow jersey: Italy’s Vittoria Guazzini (Women Under 23) and Great Britain’s Joshua Tarling (Men Junior).
You tasted glory last year when you became UCI World Champion in the individual time trial. How did it feel to earn the rainbow jersey?
Vittoria Guazzini (VG): On the road, it’s my first one, after I had another one in Junior on the track. It was a big goal for me that year because it was a new one, I was looking forward to that race. Everything was perfect, I was feeling very good and it was a dream come true.
Joshua Tarling (JT): It was a special season, a long one. I built up to it, I mean I trained quite well. If it went well I had this shot you know, but I was trying to ignore that and hope for the best for the TT. I was just like on the TT bike for most of the second part of the year. It was always in the back of my mind, it was always the goal.
Glasgow 2023 is coming fast. How is your form?
VG: Ahaha! Maybe it is coming too fast for me because after my injury in Paris-Roubaix [broken pelvis during the reconnaissance], I didn’t know if I could make it to be there. But it was always the goal for this year. I started training again with Glasgow in mind. It’s maybe not the best for me that the Worlds are moved to August after my injury. But it is how it is and I will try to do my best and to be at my top shape there and we will see. First, I must be selected.
JT: It should be good. I got a bit of training in Andorra, then a race to get quick and then a tiny bit more in Andorra.
It’s the first time so many riders from different disciplines are gathered to celebrate their UCI World Championships at the same time. Does it make it more special for you?
VG: Yes, I think it’s nice! But whether you ride track, road or mountain bike, or even if you’re just there to watch, it’s difficult to see every race. You have a choice but it’s not easy. It’s very interesting for the riders and spectators.
JT: Yeah for sure. It’s a much bigger event. The crowds will be bigger and it will be worth it to go watch different sports, like mountain bike and artistic cycling. I will be able to watch my teammates and the team pursuit in their race. It will be nice to do your own event and then go watch someone else.
After your first rainbow jersey victory in the youth category, what do you dream of in the Elite ranks?
VG : The UCI Worlds gave me a lot of motivation with the rainbow jersey and the 4th place in Elite. So, I’m very motivated to reach victory in the Elite. It will be a bit difficult, hahaha!
JT: I hope to win another one! There’s no fun in it if you don’t want to win.
What do you think about the profile of the ITT course around Stirling?
VG: I checked the course with the videos that my coach sent me during a recon. I think it’s a really nice course. It’s a profile for specialists because you have long straights where you have to push, and some corners to breathe and to recover. The ending will be very interesting with the final climb on cobbles. I think it has a bit of everything, it’s really a nice race.
JT: I think it’s pretty perfect for me. It’s kind of lumpy and twisty. I’m looking forward to it.
Who are your favourites for the ITT in Elite and Under 23?
VG: In the Elite, for sure Marlen Reusser is very strong and a very good specialist. Then of course, I think of my teammate, Grace Brown. Last year, she was very close with the second place. She will be there to fight for the win. Maybe someone who is not a favourite will win. One name for the U23: Shirin van Anrooij.
JT: I’d say “G” [Geraint Thomas], Filippo Ganna and… me. For the U23, Søren Wærenskjold is still here, so I think that says it all.