Alessandro Covi has unveiled his 2026 season and made his debut for Jayco-AlUla with two races in Spain. First at the Classica Morvedre and the next day at the Ruta de la CeramicaThe second of the two events also saw the first victory for the Australian team, scored by Michael Matthews. Having dusted off the number on his back, Alessandro Covi then moved to Mallorca, where in the next few days he will put more kilometers in his legs.
«I will race in the Trofeo Ses Salines – Covi tells us on a rest afternoon – which is a team time trial, and then the following two days (Friday 29th and Saturday 30th, ed.). My other teammates will then continue, while I go back home and prepare for the February retreat on Teide where I will be from the 6th to the 28th».
That gut feeling. Have you had any commitments in these first few days of the season?
We all started the season well. The team also performed really well at the Tour Down Under., so it's already something important and we have to continue like this.
Are you adapting to all the new things?
Yes, it's the first time I've changed teams in my years as a professional, because with the UAE Team Emirates I made my debut in the WorldTour and after six years I came here in Jayco AlUlaIt's all a bit new, but I'm settling in well. Initially I made myself available to my companions, the leg seems to respond in the right way.
You've already scored your first win of the season. How does that feel?
From this point of view to the UAE I was pretty well used to it (laughs, ed.). It's certainly a pleasure to have already achieved success in the second race with Jayco, even because Matthews The day before, he had crashed in Morvedre. I saw him sad that evening, but he's a champion and in a few hours he was able to bounce back and find a great victory.
What has been your role in these releases so far?
I worked in support of the team, helping in general throughout the raceI made myself available to position my teammates during crucial phases. In Castellon we found ourselves with the responsibility of managing the race, arriving from UAE For me, it's quite normal to experience these phases of the race. You have to take control of the game every day, and that's what everyone expects from a team like this.
Do group positions change?
In the end, if you make yourself respected, always running cleanly, you can get the position you want.. On the first day there was the UAE to manage the race, we managed to find our position at the front of the groupThe races weren't particularly intense, but starting well and gaining respect right from the start is important.
How have you been working these past months?
I think I'm at a similar level to last year, my trainer is Marco Pinotti and I think I immediately found a good understanding and an effective working methodDespite an eight-day layoff due to the flu, everything is going well.
You said you're going to Teide in February. Is your goal to be in top form for March and April?
I've never climbed so early, I've always been a rider who starts off strong, but together with the team we decided to "sacrifice" this moment to be ready for the classics. I will go to Teide with Matthews and Sutterlin, I think the idea is to work to support Michael (Matthews, ed.) in the reference racesBut I think there will also be room to play my chances, between Laigueglia, Strade Bianche, Tirreno, Coppi e Bartali and Ardenne I would say I have a full and very varied program.
You'll be around Matthews a lot, how do you feel about it?
I already knew him, he is a good friend of Pogacar and Wellens, then living in Monte Carlo we had the opportunity to ride together. Now that we're on the same team, the relationship is even closer. Just yesterday he was telling me: "Damn, two races and we've already won together."I'm getting to know him better and better, but I can say he's the team captain and you can feel it. It's important to have a point of reference like him.
Going to high altitude for a month with Matthews is a great sign of respect. Do you feel the responsibility?
I'm more than happy to do it because I'm convinced it can help me perform better and discover my limits. I hope everything goes well. I'm a rider who can have his say in certain contexts, so I'll try to carve out the space for myself. my spaceBut the main wish is for the team to have a good season.
