By a singular coincidence or by having worked well, in the first stage of the Burgos Tour and in the second at the Tour de Pologne – last Tuesday – Caruso and Tiberi achieved fifth and fourth place respectively. Since they were both heading towards the Vuelta, the signal did not go unnoticed. And if We told you about Tiberi right from Poland, Here we are today with Damiano who has always been fond of the Burgos race and with the next Vuelta he is preparing to experience the twenty-second Grand Tour of his career.
«In the end the recovery wasn't so bad – he explains – I did a nice high altitude boulder on the Pordoi, working well. Such a long period was perhaps a bit forced, but then again, I had a scorching July, and I had to extend my altitude; otherwise, rather than improving, I would have gotten worse. Sicily in the summer, when it's really hot, is unthinkable. you can ride a bike, but you can't train».
Why Pordoi and not Livigno like many of your colleagues?
The team has some agreements why we went up there, but I have to say I like it a lot. There's traffic in the Dolomites too, but starting from Pordoi you have more route options. The only drawback is that on your rest day, you still have to climb back up. However, let's also say that the Pordoi from Canazei, if done gently, isn't that challenging. The Dolomites are a great place to train and we like it there.We have the whole hotel booked for us, theHotel Garni Gonzaga, and then you can stay calm, isolate yourself, work well and concentrate on the piece.
The announcement of your contract extension came at the Giro. What are your motivations for heading to the Vuelta?
I came out of the Giro with a good dose of personal satisfaction, which gave me the motivation to continue doing this workThe renewal was a clear confirmation of this. I worked hard to present myself at the Vuelta in a suitable manner. Clearly, I don't plan on working hard to finish in the general classification. My goal is to try to win a stage and give my support to Antonio (Tiberi, ed.) who will instead compete in the general classification.
Like when you finished second in the Giro in 2021 and won a stage in Spain?
As a in 2021 at Alto de Velefique and like in 2023, when I finished fourth in the Giro and in the Vuelta I finished second in a stage behind Evenepoel and other placings. Last year I was unlucky, because I crashed here in Burgos and at the Vuelta I got Covid.The last one was a difficult season finale, I hope everything goes smoothly this year.
You said that the recovery after so much altitude wasn't that bad...
Indeed in San Sebastian, which was the return race, they wrung my neck. After almost two months without running, it was quite traumaticBut already here in Burgos—with all due respect, of course, because the level is different—I managed to finish in front, and that's pleasing. The opening stage, including the entire transfer, was 210 kilometers long, with a fairly undulating route and the finale on a sharp one-kilometer climb. Being among the best makes you understand that your body responds well to the fact that you have worked correctly.For now, everything's calm. I saw that Antonio in Poland also gave a good signal. Let's say we're on track.
There was the fifth place at the Giro, but what changed after you decided you were done?
I think a lot has changed in my mind. I started in 2025. convinced to quit at the end of the season, but I'm also stubborn. So in this belief of mine, I promised myself to do everything to the best of my ability.I dedicated so much of my time to cycling, as if it were the last time. Instead of dragging myself out until the end of the season, I wanted to do everything right, so as to have no regrets. The problem is that maybe I tried too hard (laughs, ed.).
And what happened?
Some good results have arrived. I rediscovered the pleasure of riding a bike, of suffering and of living the life of a rider.Not that I'd lost it before, but last year was a very difficult season. I chased the condition, but between ailments and falls, it never came. So I'd lost the desire a bit, but this year I've found it again. And then I'm also gratified. the reference role for the younger boys, not only for AntonioI'm recognized by the management and also by my teammates. It's a combination of things that led me to make the decision to continue doing my job and try to do it well.
One year and then that's it?
Decided! Whatever happens, the next one will be the last. Until last year, even at home, I talked about percentages, so there was a 90 percent chance I'd quit. Now, however, I'm 100 percent convinced. 2026 will be my last year.
Do you think Tiberi will have learned everything he needs to by then?
The bulk of what I could convey to him in terms of experience, I passed it on. Antonio is 24 years old and is at the age where he has to start making decisions on your own and figure out what you really want to doI can only assist him and make his job easier. We're getting to the point where, once I've handed over my baggage, I can no longer help him. For me he's like a little brother, there's a relationship that goes beyond the working one.Having him in my room or in the race is just a pleasure, because he's a good guy and a pleasant person who's nice to spend time with.
Shall we talk about the World Cup?
Come on, let's talk about it. City Villa asked my opinionI explained to him my approach, which will include the Vuelta and will be ideal for thinking about being in good condition. I didn't say no and I didn't say yes, also because I haven't received any kind of offer yet. I simply asked to see how the situation evolves and what the condition will be, because I would like to go only if I had a decent condition with respect for the blue jerseyIt's still too early to talk about it, but the time to make a decision will come soon. For now, we've limited ourselves to an exchange of ideas.
Last question: can you get home between Burgos and the Vuelta?
No, there will still be a mini reminder of heights in Sestriere with the teamIt will help avoid distractions, not so much to finalize or improve something. We spend very little time at home, but nowadays either you adapt to this system or you can't be a riderAnd then why am I going to Sicily for the week of August 15th? You can't train, it's too hot. And besides, a day at the beach in Sicily is equivalent to a mountain stage of the Vuelta, one of those tough ones...
