Another novelty of the 2020 Tour of the Alps also made its debut in Milan at the presentation, as three special patronesses were officially introduced: three athletes of different sports, one for each territory of the Euregio. The patronesses will bring their women’s touch to the race, and will be protagonists of a #LiveUphill storytelling themselves.
Hailing from Ötztal is Laura Stigger, one of the top names in Austrian cycling, winner of a Junior World title in Cross Country Mountain Bike – her specialty – but also a World Road title on her home roads, in Innsbruck 2018. At 19 of age, and with the pressure of being one of the most regarded talents on the World scale, Laura is warming up for a high-intensity season, featuring her World Cup commitment, the road to the Tokyo Olympics, as well as the final year of her high school course.
Elena Pirrone is much renowned among road cycling fans: coming from Laives, Südtirol, Pirrone managed to win two World Championships titles among Juniors in Bergen 2017. In spite of her talent, Elena has not managed to unleash her full potential on the Elite level yet, and the Tour of the Alps will follow her wake in what could be a breakout year.
From Pietramurata, Trentino, Eleonora Farina is a famous Downhill Mountainbike specialist from Trentino, the best Italian interpreter of the discipline along with Südtirol’s Veronika Widmann, and former European Champion in her specialty (2017). Coming off a solid World Cup season, Eleonora will start the new year looking to take a revenge on bad luck in her home race, Val di Sole, where last year an unfortunate puncture spoiled her chances to do something historical.
Three stories to tell for three top level athletes, representatives of the sports movements of the three regions, and vehicles of that sporting spirit andf values that Tirol, Südtirol and Trentino shared in giving life to the Tour of the Alps.
