Tosatto and the Tudor, final finishing touches in view of the Giro

SALORNO – The Tour of the Alps is often one of the very last dress rehearsals before the Giro d’Italia. A series of ideas from which the directors can draw more or less important indications. One of them is without a doubt Matteo Tosatto, who arrived at the beginning of the season to lead Tudor Pro Cycling.

For the “he knows how to do it” series, thanks to the pink triumphs obtained with Sky/Ineos, on the verge of turning 50 (he will turn 50 on May 15th) the technician born in Castelfranco Veneto now he has a new mission. We met him during the Euregio race (Tudor Pro Cycling photo at the beginning) asking him how his adaptation to the Tudor is progressing and what the expectations of the Swiss Professional team are on the threshold of its first major stage race. The relaxed face seems to be the natural consequence of a person who, based on his experience, knows that the new path undertaken is the right one.

How is your new experience with Tudor going?

Everything changed after six years between Sky and Ineos. I’m super happy because the adventure started off on the right foot, just as the project is progressing well. We showed that we are capable of imposing ourselves in some good races. And especially knowing how to impose our racing style, taking on our responsibilities without fear. We have to remember that we have a group of young people. Sometimes we make mistakes, but those who make mistakes then learn. I think we are on the right track.

Did Cancellara easily convey the philosophy that Cancellara explained to you too?

Our motto is to grow slowly, knowing our potential. We go to races to win, but at the same time we know that we also need to gain experience. In some races we go to learn, where we bring many young people who perhaps face their first great Giro or their first great classic. At the same time we made some additions with expert runners who bring their technical background to the team. For example the victory at Paris-Nice (with De Kleijn, ed.) it is the fruit of great work that began as early as 2023, in the first year of the formation’s birth. In the cobbled classics we have always had top 10 finishes, apart from Flanders. All this fills us with joy.

So you got along quickly.

Yes, absolutely. As Fabian always says, we shouldn’t bite off more than we can chew. We are becoming aware of our strength. We just have to stay calm and keep working. Then our hashtag “born to dare” ( borntodare , ed.) must be a stimulus. If we do things right, such as training, nutrition or materials, we don’t have to be afraid. We can’t compete with the big WorldTour teams, but being there to compete with them means making a good impression.

How much difference is there between leading a team like Ineos and someone like Tudor?

It changes a lot. Talking about or going to try a race with champions who have already won classics or grand tours is approached in a different way. There was a different pressure within an established group. Here in Tudor you have to start from the foundations. You have to make people understand what a great Giro is for example. And for me it’s a great stimulus.

Was this the motivation that brought Matteo Tosatto to Tudor?

I spent twenty years as a professional and I have to thank Dave Brailsford again today who immediately gave me the opportunity to get into the flagship. I learned a job doing six wonderful years with them, but the time had come for a change. At Tudor we have new goals and I think I have made the best choice.

Will the Tour of the Alps give you some guidance for the Giro?

At this race we have 2-3 guys who could run in May. Michael Storer will certainly be there at the Giro, who will try to take care of the general already here at the Tour of the Alps. He could also do the same in the Giro, even if he has never tackled a major stage race to do it. He will certainly aim to do well in the mountain stages. It can potentially do both things well, but let’s start with a minimum objective, then we’ll see if we can change them along the way.

What will the rest of your Corsa Rosa training be like?

We don’t want to neglect the other stages. Our sprinter will be Dainesewho returned to racing after injury and won in France earlier this month. Trentin will be our all-rounder, ready to throw himself into the escapes of the intermediate hamlets or play your cards in other ways. We will decide how to complete the team after Romandie.

We understand that we will see you in front of the Giro.

Our desire is to be protagonists. We want to use our heads. We won’t go on the run just to show off the shirt. We will seek victory, our great objective for those three weeks in May. Some of us will be excited because it will be Tudor’s first grand tour. However, I would like to instill calm and serenity, seeing how the race will go day after day. I am very motivated and confident.