Manuel Oioli was talked about a few days ago with Carlos Barredo, commenting the fate of those who nurture talents and often see them taken awayThe Piedmontese (opening during the recent holidays in Tenerife) has grown in the Bustese Olonia, the junior team connected to the Eolo-Kometa. Then he moved to the under 23s Contador Foundation and in 2022 he ran his first year among amateurs. And while it was already thought that he would grow in the Spanish team to become a pro at Eolo-Kometa, he packed his bags and moved to Team Qhubeka, Q36.5 nursery.
According to Barredo, trainer of Eolo-Kometa, the explanation could be found in the sense of closed roads experienced by Oioli. And so we turned to him, to understand through his words the reasons for a choice that he caught Basso off guard, who had a lot of faith in Manuel.
Oioli is 19 years old. In 2021, he won six races as a sophomore. In 2022, due to the high school exams and the Spanish calendar followed by the Contador Foundation, not much was seen in ItalyHe did, however, achieve a second stage place in the Vuelta Madrid, a third in the Vuelta Extremadura and one in the Vuelta Salamanca, as well as six other top-ten finishes.
According to Barredo you were fine, but instead you're leaving...
I don't regret having spent the year at Eolo, because it was an international experience anywayI basically did 80 percent of my season in Spain, so it was something completely new and this can only be positiveBut it is also true that international experience cannot be limited to running many times in Spain, taking a plane each time, in competitions that in reality do not have a higher level than the Italian onesPlus, most of these races aren't really suited to me. They are often races with long climbs, but more for climbers.. In short, you didn't have to go that far to find a business like this.
Unsuitable activity?
The only positive thing is that maybe there are more stage races, that's for sure. There are many in Spain and few in ItalyA team like Qhubeka, in addition to competing on the entire Italian calendar, also takes part in several stage races abroad. And that's quite important to me.
Why go to Qhubeka?
By now it is known that I spoke to both them and Groupama, but they kept me waiting for a long time without letting me know anything.. So in the end I preferred to go to a team that really wanted me. I have known Daniele Nieri and I immediately saw a real interestWhile there was interest in Groupama at first, they then disappeared. Rather than risk arriving in October without a team, I preferred to play it safe. In a team that I'm sure wants me.
Have you already talked about programs?
For some, the season will start as early as the end of January. I think with the professional league, but I'm not sure. Then the team will obviously do the international calendar in Italy, national races and other stage races especially in France. This in my opinion is the most important thing. I understood that Stage races are the most important ones to do. They give you another leg up. And that's what mattered most to me. I'd love to do the Giro d'Italia, if they organize it.
At the Fundacion you had the road cleared towards the Eolo-Kometa, here is the Q36.5, also a professional…
The project seems solid, because in any case Behind our team we seem to see solid foundationsThe team manager (Ryder Douglas, ed.) has years of WorldTour experience, while the main sponsor is really solid. I haven't met him in person yet., but Manuel (Quinziato, his agent, ed.) told me he's a friend of his, and he reassured me a lot. They're both from Bolzano.
Is there anything changing in terms of winter preparation?
Our trainer is South African with Dutch origins. I don't know if he actually lives in Lucca or spends long periods there. As for the preparation, I won't change much.I'll go to the gym and then continue doing so during the season, but I already did that last year. So in the first 10 days, I'll maybe do some alternative activitiesFirst I'll go jogging and walking, then later I'll start cycling.
Do you have an idea of what goals you might aim for?
For me, 2023 will still be a novelty. Last year I still had school, so in the winter I tried to do as much as possible, but it wasn't easy with the darkness coming early. And the time I didn't have. Instead, this year, since I don't have any limitations since I don't go to university, I'm just a cyclist. I will definitely be able to work better.
Did you leave just for the calendar?
That's one factor. Another is that Qhubeka's offer is better than that of the Contador Foundation. Furthermore, being continental, it will be easier to participate in races with the professionalsBest offer also means that At twenty I would like to earn something and not have to ask for money at home for everythingAnd the Fundacion's policy is that the U23s don't have to be paid. So, considering all the aspects, I preferred to change teams. But if they had changed their minds, maybe I would have stayedIn the end I didn't have any major problems.
Have you already been to see the Lucca retreat?
I was supposed to go to Tuscany this very weekend, but I had plaque in my throat for days, I'm on antibiotics, so I didn't go. I'll be back, as I know they'll explain the project behind Qhubeka to me. I'm not sure exactly how long I'll be staying in Lucca this year, but... from what Daniele Nieri told me, the more down they are, the happier they areYou don't have to stay in retreat all year, you can go home whenever you want. But let's say that I will spend a lot of time with the team.
Have you received your new bike yet?
Not yet. Now I'm walking around with one I had at home, because They took the Aurum back from me immediatelyThe Scotts we'll be racing on should arrive within a couple of weeks.
