Oss and Sagan's new professionalism? Racing and fun.

Just a couple of days ago, talking to Sagan, the key word had been fun. Well, this also applies to Daniel Oss. The Trentino native, who has been Peter's sidekick and friend for years, will in fact go with him to the Total Energies. A totally different plan, an adventure, a challenge awaits them. It won't be a simple team transition. And even the fans will be able to rub their hands together. Why? Oss tells us...

Daniel, how are you?

Good, come on! A little tired... I did Burgos, I'm a reserve for the Tour of Norway. Then I will do the Benelux Tour, Slovakia and Roubaix.

And then a new challenge awaits you. How did it go?

Well, I advised Peter! But he knows exactly what to do. The negotiations were long. And it hasn't been easy lately, because even on the part of the Bora Hansgrohe and Ralph Think (the team manager, ed.) There's been a shift toward young riders. He's also openly stated that he wants a more competitive Bora for stage races.

So, it's a long negotiation...

We got down to business with a vengeance. But it's a new blood. I see all this as an opportunity. And thanks to Giovanni (Lombardi, the manager of Peter and Oss, ed.) we worked on all fronts and not just on the team change.

That?

The idea was to find a team to do well and do something different. This was a prerogative of each of us. It was Peter's mood, but it was mine too. And I think it's what has bonded us so strongly for so many years. We can express our character: still be 100% professionals, but we can do it with a good dose of fun. We've been carrying this flag in interpreting this new cycling for years. You journalists often point out, and I'm happy about it, how stressful it has become. Stress may be an exaggerated word, but it has many meanings and gets the idea across.

In short, running, but having fun…

Exactly. Total e Bernaudeau They gave us this kind of inspiration. Something they share. Peter had many meetings before deciding. He wanted to fully understand how realistic this possibility was. As you can imagine, with Sagan on the market, Total wasn't the only team to make an appearance. Peter was a tempting prospect. I gave him carte blanche: I trust you, I told him.Then he'd give me feedback and I'd give him my opinion. It wasn't a given that his entire entourage would be able to follow him, precisely because the negotiations were dragging on. But now I'm happy...

And it shows in your tone, Daniel! You can sense this desire for change…

For me, change is physiological, it's good for me. It helps you find the right stimuli. My two or three changes of team have also helped me grow as a human being. You connect with other cultures and other people. 

We were talking about fun, a team transition that isn't just a change of colors: there's also talk of "a different kind of cycling," of gravel. Do you also embrace this line?

But I'm marrying her in style! I couldn't wait. “Just ride” It was my credo. The fun, the journey... And let's face it: other activities like gravel are also good for sponsors. Specialized there is, but also Sportful It wants to expand and not just make super-technical garments. This is the direction. A few years ago we said that all this technology, this super-tight world and this generation of athletes seemed a little “strange” to us. Everyone super perfect, everyone acting like "little professors"...

So we'll see you in other roles too?

Well, racing remains the priority, that's clear. Then, yes: gravel is the new thing. But we were also thinking about mountain biking and travel. Sagan always told me to do something, and I'd reply: Peter, that's fine with me, you just have to get organized. The problem is your time! I'm super motivated. And little by little, new ideas are coming. Let's try to redo the Just Ride, integrate it with travel... I'm not even sure how it'll all happen.

You followed Lachlan Morton's feat?

Yes, I followed it. Nice, but that's not exactly what I mean by fun, by gravel. The way he did it, there's too much suffering. We will be more “travel-oriented” (in DirectEnergie, running Jerome's cousin who made this idea his own when he was out of lockdown, ed.).

Daniel, we can't wait to see what you'll come up with...

The enthusiasm had waned a bit and everything became very challenging, especially in these last races where Peter wasn't there. We had to find another leader and everyone was always super focused. Here is an example of the cycling we want to change: being in an environment where there is sky-high stress even when there was no need for it. Look at Burgos: everyone super focused, everyone at their best, from every point of view, everyone pushing even when it wasn't necessary.