Winner of the rediscovered Giro di Romagna and then a few days ago at the Vuelta Asturias, Antonio Morgado continues its growth in the “world of adults” without obstacles. It seems like yesterday when he fought on an equal footing with the best in the junior category last year a quick trip to the U23s with impressive results such as world championship silver in Glasgow and now a career among the greats began immediately with fireworks, not only with the two victories mentioned above, but also – or rather above all – with fifth place at the Tour of Flanders, dispelling what seemed like an idiosyncrasy for the cobblestone .
It is on these issues that the Portuguese champion of the UAE Team Emirates responded directly from Asturias, where he recently concluded his third stage race of this demanding season, which however was born under a beautiful star and which also took place on Spanish roads. seen soaring.
How do you judge this approach of yours among professionals?
I think a lot of the races went well. I feel more and more at ease, but I try not to be influenced too much by the positive results, I know I need to gain a lot of experience, it’s a journey that’s only just beginning.
With what state of mind did you approach the Belgian classics?
My goal this year is to learn. The races in Belgium were mainly used for this. I have to say that I had a lot of fun on my rides, I try to enjoy every ride as much as possible. And this helps me to be more and more comfortable in any situation.
In the past you said you weren’t very comfortable on cobblestones, yet you finished fifth at Flanders. Did that result surprise you?
Yes definitely. Because it is one of the most difficult races in the world and I looked at it with distrust, but instead I felt good, I knew how to interpret it. As I said, I want to learn and that fifth place told me a lot in perspective. I certainly didn’t expect it, but I’m really happy with that placement, it has great value.
So have you revised your opinion on Belgian racing and cobblestones?
I would say yes, some races I like a lot, others a little less. However, I try to take them all more lightly and this sweeps away any hesitations I was carrying with me.
You also raced Paris-Roubaix. Do you think you can achieve great results on the French cobbles like at Flanders?
Hmm, it’s another type of race, also linked much more to luck, to the technical stability of the vehicle. The first experience was uneventful, but at least I completed it (he finished 87th, more than a quarter of an hour behind Van Der Poel, ed.) and I brought with me many notions for the future. I expect that one day I will go and be among the best in this race too, which is very different from Flanders.
At Romagna you won for the first time in the UAE shirt. Who was the captain between you and Del Toro and was the strategy established before the start?
The strategy was simple: we set out to win the race. There wasn’t a captain, but the objective was to hit the right breakaway to bring it to the finish, then I would fight for it in the sprint and that’s how it happened. I have to say thanks to my teammates, including Del Toro who worked in coverage, it’s nice when a plan is completed. It certainly wasn’t easy, in Italy it never is. It was a tough, very selective race. But I had good legs, which supported me when it was time to make a difference.
The one in Asturias is your third stage race this year: in this type of event do you think you can also aim for the ranking?
No. In this type of race I work for my teammates, for those who are best equipped to fight for the ranking. Maybe in the future it will be possible, but for now there are more suitable riders and I have to look after the team’s interests. In the meantime, however, I can point to the stages.
Portugal has two places available for the Olympics: are you thinking about it or do you think the World Cup in Zurich is more suitable for you?
I can’t deny that I would like it, Who would have said just a few months ago that at twenty years old there could be this eventuality, going to the Olympic Games? I work hard to always be on the alert, waiting for the call to come, now it has become a primary objective in the season.
This is your first year as a professional, perhaps soon for a big Giro: would you prefer to make your Tour debut straight away or gain experience in the Giro or Vuelta?
I think it’s really early for a great Giro. If I had to choose I would like to make my debut at the Giro d’Italia and not immediately tackle a difficult race like the Tour even considering the different period of completion, the heat and everything. I would have the opportunity to learn. But I don’t have to think about it this year, there’s already enough irons in the fire, I think…
What do you expect between now and the end of the season?
With the Spanish race I close the first part of the season. Now I will take a break, in which I plan to try to lose some weight to be even more active, I then want to train hard to be ready for when I return to competition. For example, I want to test myself on long climbs, see if I have improved. It’s all a work in progress for the futureas mentioned my main goal is to learn, time is on my side.
