At Liberazione double win for Valcar, triumph for Persico

Despite its brief tradition (the women's race was only in its fourth year, revived after the last edition in 2018) the women's challenge of the Gran Premio Liberazione confirms itself as an event that always rewards athletes of great value. After two victories by Bastianelli and Paternoster's success, it is Silvia Persico, world bronze medalist in cyclocross and an athlete on the rise on the road, who writes her name in the roll of honor of the Roman classic, the penultimate event of a three-day festival that brought the best of Italian and international cycling to Rome, along with a sea of fans.

Persico's victory, who came out in great shape from the Northern Classics where she repeatedly made the Top 10, was the result of the great work of her team, Valcar Travel & Service, which never faltered during the 16 laps, first letting the young Alessia Virgilia (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) break away for 3 laps and then building the decisive move, with 8 girls in the breakaway including Persico, Consonni (just back from the Track World Cup in Glasgow where she won bronze on Thursday in the team pursuit), and Gasparrini, who sacrificed herself for her teammates until a couple of laps from the finish, while in the meantime the solo chase of the young legacy Cristina Tonetti (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) was crowned with success.

In the final lap, Lithuanian Rasa Leleivyte (romita Basso Bikes Vaiano), reigning European bronze medalist, tried a powerful move but Persico was ready to respond. Final sprint with Chiara Consonni perfectly launching her teammate, who went on to win ahead of Consonni herself and fellow Italian Maria Giulia Confalonieri (Ceratizit Wnt) for a podium that confirms the great moment of Italian women's cycling.

"It was a tough race, 16 laps really take their toll – commented the Italian rider – there wasn't much collaboration in the group, I knew I had to take the last corner first and when I managed to do it I knew I could win, but I have to thank Chiara (Consonni) because without her I don't know if I would have made it."