Matthew's Zurlo It's a season of two halves: the first half was almost anonymous, without any highlights and even with few performances to its credit. The second half was more brilliant, with even some noteworthy moments such as Tour of Friuli where he could also “taste” the leadership of the standingsAnyone unfamiliar with the story of the 24-year-old from Bassano del Grappa might be taken aback by this change of perspective, but there are specific, dramatic reasons.
«At the beginning of January I was hit by a car while I was training – says the Venetian – I was one of the many victims of the carelessness of those who drive. I fractured two vertebrae, and before I could recover, another driver crashed into me in March… This time I only got away with a broken scaphoid. I couldn't help but feel the effects of what happened in the first few races, but fortunately my physical recovery was complete and without any after-effects."
Things have been escalating in the last few weeks…
Yes, also because I've found routes that are more suited to me. I consider myself a climber-router; on shorter climbs, I can give my best by going at a slower pace.
Was there a moment when you perceived a change in trend?
At the Giro delle Due Province in Marciana di Cascina in early July. I'd won a lot in 2021, but this year, due to what happened, my performance was lower. In Tuscany I returned to myself, leaving with 22 other men after 30 kilometers and attempting a forceful action 20 kilometers from the finish line.. There I understood that everything I had been through was definitively behind me.
The victory at the Conegliano Grand Prix caused a sensation because of how it came about…
It was a more closely contested race than you might think. I started 85 kilometers from the finish line, thinking someone would follow me, but instead I found myself alone and decided to keep going. I quickly gained about forty seconds and kept pushing from there, at one point I even had more than 3 minutes. Then the group got closer again, but I have to say thanks to my teammates of Ointment who played a great team game stopping every attack.
Your results, especially considering your performance at the Giro del Friuli (twice third and ultimately just off the podium in the general classification), are also a message to the team leaders: Matteo Zurlo is still here…
I don't know what will happen at the end of the season, I don't have an agent who looks after my interests, I prefer to rely on what I know how to do because I remain convinced that in the end it is the results that move the interests, is what one does to attract teams and make them understand that you could be useful.
You're 24 years old. Aren't you afraid that in this fast-paced cycling world, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find space?
It certainly is, but If a rider is always there fighting, showing his worth, giving 100 percent, I think it's right to give him a chance.Cycling isn't just about Evenepoels and Pogacars; it also needs those who build the races. It's certainly easier for a young rider to get noticed these days, but I won't stop fighting.
What awaits you now?
After the last races in the Punto category at the Veneto trials organized by Pozzato, I would like to do well there and stand out, showing that I can easily compete at that level, then we'll see what to do. I remain optimistic, however. After all, at 24, I still have a lot of seasons ahead of me.
