UAE TEAM ADQ

In the last month, the Swiss Linda Zanetti was the absolute protagonist in the UAE Development Team: victory at EPZ Omloop Borsele, victory at the second stage of Gracia Orlova and victory at the GP Ticino. But her most important victory is her ability to never give up. In fact, behind her smile there is the spirit of a determined woman who has clear goals. And she certainly is not satisfied and she is aware that she is only at the beginning of a journey. Although she is very young (she was born in 2002), Linda's career tells of a girl capable of adapting, getting involved and facing new challenges. We interviewed her on the eve of the Tour de Bretagne, a race in which she will participate together with Yuliia Biriukova, Anastasia Carbonari, Beatrice Caudera, Elisabeth Ebras and Sophia Zwaan.

Linda, your last few races have been fantastic: you won a stage at Gracia Orlova and fought for the general classification.

“I'm disappointed because I crashed right on the last stage and had to retire. But I'm happy, because I have taken a step forward compared to the start of the season and that I have also improved compared to last year. In fact, at Gracia Orlova I raced well even in stages that didn't suit my characteristics.”

And I think there was also excellent teamwork.

"Exactly. My teammates from the UAE Development Team did a great job. Race after race we are getting to know each other and we are understanding what are the qualities of each single girl. This is wonderful. Now we know "who can do what" and this awareness allows us to compete with higher quality".

Did you also become friends or are you just 'work colleagues'?

“We also became friends. All the athletes of the UAE Development Team are all very kind, have a good character and are open to new friendships. I am very well.”

This is very positive and I think it is very useful especially in difficult times. By the way, have there been any difficult moments this season?

“To be honest, I thought I'd start the season better. After the races in Spain, Croatia and Italy (Trofeo Ponente in Rosa), I wasn't very satisfied. You know, I think I need to do some competitions before I'm fit. I knew I could go faster, but I just couldn't show it."

Instead, thanks to your commitment and your work you have improved. What was the best moment of this 2023?

“Victory at EPZ Omloop van Borsele. I didn't think I could win. Up to the finish line I was afraid that the peloton might catch me back and instead I won. An indescribable joy.”

You did great: winning in Borsele isn't easy, it's a race in which a champion like Elisa Balsamo also won in 2018, finishing in first position ahead of Lorena Wiebes. About World Tour, the interesting thing about the UAE project is that the athletes of the Development Team can compete together with the athletes of the UAE Team ADQ. You competed in Scheldreprijs with UAE Team ADQ.

“Yes, it was a good race, because Chiara Consonni conquered the second position.”

How did you feel?

“I was very happy to be racing in Scheldeprijs and at the same time I was a bit nervous. I had no difficulties, because I know how UAE Team ADQ works, because last year I competed in that team".

An important experience.

“Yes, I didn't think that great champions like Marta Bastianelli and Mavi Garcia could be so kind to me that I was the youngest of the group. All the athletes have taught me something and I have to thank them for that."

Yours is a very interesting story, Linda. You started with MTB and now you compete on the road instead. Why this change?

“I started racing MTB when I was 11 in the Velo Club Monte Tamaro, a small team close to my house. When I was 17, I also started road racing in the Swiss national team, it was a good experience. When I had the great opportunity to compete with UAE Team ADQ last year, I accepted."

And now you compete for the UAE Development Team, an innovative project in the world of women's cycling. Now three months have passed since the start of the season and I think your opinion is very important. No one better than you can explain if this project is valid, because you competed last year with a World Tour team. What do you think of this project?

“After three months, I can say that the project is working. As I told you before, I need to participate in many races to get in shape and to gain experience. This year I have already participated in more races than last year and this way you can grow without obsessing over the result, because the goals of a World Tour team are different from the goals of a development team. Now I can grow. And, at the same time, unlike other continental teams, you know that at the UAE Development Team the chance to compete for a World Tour team is not that far away. This gives great motivation and pushes you to do better and better”.