Below is an interview with Sofia Goggia in both video and text format.
VIDEO INTERVIEW
Hi Sofia, what was your first used bike?
The first bicycle I used was my brother's, while the first bicycle I was bought was a red mountain bike when I was nine or ten. I used it on Sundays with my father going up and down the Upper Town.
Did you love MTB recently or have you always used it?
Since e-bikes have become more and more popular I have started cycling again, I found a group of friends in Bergamo who went every Saturday. It was the year of lockdown (summer 2020), and after a ride at Tonale I had a lot of fun and a week later I had my first e-bike.
What did you like most?
I particularly liked the contact with nature, with the mountains, and the fact that it was a little less tiring than a normal mountain bike. I immediately understood that it could become a great training tool, also thanks to the fact that it presents a pedal stroke that never has moments of maximum effort, especially using it as an alternative work for milder cardio.
Are there any similarities between MTB and skiing?
All sports that have speed and curves are similar, regardless of the means used. I find a lot of affinity between cycling on the trails - I am a flow lover - and the ski slopes: constant reading of the terrain, ability to manage the unexpected, sharpening the perception of lines and trajectories. For me it is very training, also to maintain that aspect of speed and curves which cannot be maintained in the summer, not having winter slopes.
What is mountain biking for you?
It's my favorite entertainment, my day of venting and freedom: a day on an e-bike with friends where you spend all day on the mountain paths is pure freedom. In fact, when I ride a bike, I feel an incredible sense of fun.
We know that you often train in Cervinia…
In my opinion, Cervinia has one of the best placed glaciers in Europe in recent years, and especially in the first part of summer it allows us to work in optimal conditions. Then I always take my bike with me, so at least one afternoon during the meeting I do it, whether it's just going uphill or doing a bit of bike park.
Are you getting along well with Merida?
I'm getting along well with Merida, it's a nice "toy" as I like to call it, it's a fairly versatile bike, very agile and beautiful for enduro riding. Usually, to stay focused, an athlete is told "stay on track" or "stay smart", but at this point I would say "let's stay in the saddle".
We wish Sofia Goggia all the best for her ski season!
