Italian Gianni Moscon (29) has not made a dent in recent years. At Soudal-Quick Step he hopes to find his old legs again. “I needed a big change to regain my mental strength,” Moscon says.
Flashback to autumn 2021: in the muddy edition of Paris-Roubaix, Gianni Moscon seems to be heading for victory in Hell alone.
But a flat tire and a crash on the penultimate cobbled section ended his chances of victory.
The next two years at Astana were all doom and gloom for the Italian.
“I was sidelined in every race and gave up in many races because I was never at the same level,” Moscon explains during his new team Soudal-Quick Step’s media day.
The team doctors encouraged me not to race, but the problem was with the team itself.
Gianni Moscon
So what went wrong in the last 2 years? “I contracted a corona infection before my first race with Astana. In my second season I broke my collarbone in the Tour Down Under.”
“Shortly after I started training again, I had to start competing in big races again and again. I didn’t have time to fully recover and get back up to standard with training.”
Was it the fault of the team doctors? “No, they pushed me not to run. But the problem was with the team (Astana).”
“I don’t want to put the responsibility on the team now,” replies Moscon. “Maybe Astana didn’t have enough riders to cover the entire calendar.”
“But if I were the team manager, I wouldn’t use the drivers to fill places in the bigger races where you expect results. I would save the driver a little and then send him first to smaller races where he can win.”
This was not the case at Moscon. “If you look at my calendar for the last 2 years, you will see that I have only raced major races. As a result, I have had many retirements.”
Role in the classics and in the Tour
At his new employer, Soudal-Quick Step, Moscon first wants to return to standards.
“I want to play an important role for the team in the classics and compete in the first part of the race.”
“Would I win at winning myself? If I have the legs to do it, why not?”
Moscon also wants to make its contribution to the Tour. “I will be very happy if I can support Remco.”
“He is a fantastic rider and can get a good ranking in the Tour. The podium is a realistic goal.”
Moscon further strengthens his Tour candidacy. “In the past (at Sky), I have often been part of the winning Tour team. With all my experience I can help Remco with his Tour ambitions.”
Gianni Moscon is joined by Mikel Landa and Jordi Warlop.
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2024-01-15 12:02:16
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