Sara Gigante (Movistar) won her first European title at the Emakmeen Nafaroako in May.

The 21-year-old has had a string of shortened seasons between the COVID-19 epidemic, broken bones, and a horrific heart problem last year that turned out to be myocarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart muscle and heart). This made this season's climbs up to May and into the heavier terrain she enjoys more satisfying, but also more frustrating, because it ended so early.

However, Gigante said that after last year's problems, it was easy to focus on her health and long-term matters, and she could only think of it as "just another problem." Training resumed in earnest a month later.

"I was just starting to get a taste of Spain, and yes, I'm very eager to get back," Gigante told Cycling News. 'At least I hope so. At least I hope so.

That next block of races will not include the Tour de France Femme. She will be rooting for her Movistar teammate this year and hoping to start next year instead.

Gigante's schedule for the upcoming season is not yet set, but she has several races coming up, including the new six-stage Tour of Scandinavia from August 9-14, possibly starting with the Tour de Romandie Feminine in October.

"I've been training really hard," Gigante told Cycling News in a phone interview before he hit the bike in the Spanish heat. I'm really happy to have had this time."

"Yes, I really love racing. But I haven't trained this hard and focused and long since this time last year. But I haven't had such a hard, focused, long training session since this time last year.

All positive signs, but it's not ideal to be out of the race since the second week of May while still hoping to make the team for the World Championships in September.

"The training block is very good, but it's not the best way to present myself to the selection committee," Gigante grimaced, quickly adding. I'll do my best in Scandinavia."