NANNING – Michael Leonard spends the time before the start sitting alone, interacting minimally with his teammates (first with Viviani at the signing of the final stage of the Tour of Guangxi). Clean-shaven and very young, probably shy, he is gaining experience at Ineos Grenadiers, often riding at the tail end of the peloton in his first WorldTour race of his career.
The first time we met him was in 2022 in Tuscany, the day after the Sanremo Festival. He ran with Team Franco Ballerini and beat Sciortino in the opening classic for juniors, named after the Tuscan champion. He told us that he contacted the sports director Andrea Bardelli after seeing them race on Lac Leman and He introduced us to his parents, Peter and Jill, who had come from Canada to follow him. in his European career debut. A year later, Michael would move to Ineos Grenadiers, making one of those decisions that initially leave you perplexed, but which simply take time to gain the necessary feedback.
In 2023 with Tosatto
His first season in the WorldTour will end with 41 days of competition, including races among the professionals and also some appointments among the U23s, such as the Tour de l'Avenir and both category world championships. The best result of the year was winning the Canadian U23 Time Trial Championships, but also stands out the 9th place in the time trial of the Settimana Coppi e Bartali. Not bad for a guy who he turned 19 at the end of MarchIneos Grenadiers does not have a dedicated team, it will probably have one from 2024 onwards, so the young Canadian was entrusted to the care of Matteo Tosatto.
«I always wanted to be part of a WorldTour team – he admits – but It's definitely a different experience than being in the Franco Ballerini teamIneos has been very welcoming and supportive and has allowed me to progress strongly, but step by step. I'm really enjoying it."
You signed that you were still 18, was there any tension?
I was scared, absolutely. I was nervous, but I think it's normal to have pressure when you come hereIf you have support, that same pressure allows you to improve. I think I learned a lot about who I am as a rider and also about the best ways to prepare. So I'm excited that Next year I will take all these teachings and finally put them into practice.
They've always talked about you as an athlete with excellent values: do these numbers inspire self-confidence?
I think if you know you have certain power values, you also know that maybe they won't drop you at the beginning of the race. But obviously being a rider is much more than what you see from a power test.. It's something else that determines where you finish in races like this.
Did you have any difficult moments during the season?
Absolutely, but I think it's normal and I think that those too allow you to grow. There were also days when I felt strong. But you know, one day it's fine, the next day you suffer a little more. And I think this is normal too.
Are Tour of Guangxi-level races within your reach?
It's hard to know, given that there were mostly sprint finishes. The 4 minutes I lost on the climb are a lot, but I have to admit that certain accelerations are not yet in my legs.
Where do you live? What's your base?
I'm in Andorra and plan to stay there. It's fantastic for training, I'm happy. However, I don't rule out going back to work in Tuscany for some time.My sporting director of reference up to now has been Tosatto, but with the fact that he is leaving Cioni will start following me, which already follows other young people like Tarling. And Cioni lives in Tuscany in the areas where I was with the Franco Ballerini...
Will you be returning to Canada this winter?
The project is this and then In December I will go on a training camp with the team in Mallorca and there we will see what my program will be for 2024I hope to perform at a higher level and consequently be able to participate in more valuable races.
Has your life changed since you became a professional?
Sure, but It's always about waking up every day, going to training and then coming to the races.The scheme is very similar, they have changed attention to detail in training and nutrition, and above all the amount of work which is necessarily greater.
Did your parents come to Europe to follow you anymore?
This year they didn't. In 2022 they came to Mallorca and we spent Christmas together.
What is your dream as a rider?
I'd like to lead the most important races. A simple dream, but realizing it will be a little less simple...
