«Moscon is with me – says Bramati – In the last few days I've started looking him in the eye. He's very determined, we've talked a lot.I'm happy we have him on the team, I've been saying since he was under 23 that he was a rider capable of doing great things in the professional world. And now I will try to motivate him as I have always motivated everyone to achieve great results.He was the last one to join this team. We've talked, but now we'll be the ones to decide his program. In December, in Calpe, there'll be time to sit down and decide where to start. We need to get to know him better, we will see him in training and we will see him in general».
Bramati returned home from Belgium, where la Soudal-Quick Step celebrated 25 years of activity and the Bergamo native is proud to say he has been there from the beginningFirst as a rider and then as a sports director. Time to go home and it began. the succession of video conferences to start talking about the riders' programs, which will be definitively resolved in the retreat in Calpe, in mid-December.
How was your first contact with Moscon?
We had these three days to get to know each other, and it was great. We visited the Soudal headquarters and then also Quick Step. The 27 riders did a team building all together and I know they had a lot of fun.. The group has a festive atmosphere as always, but certainly From December we will have to get down to business and start pedaling towards 2024, hoping nothing happens.
Before he came to you, what did you think of Moscon?
That he was predestined and in fact also in his recent professional career, he did some really good things. I'm glad that they proposed it to us.
Why did Cattaneo say this is the right team to relaunch? Why did Lefevere compare it to his experience with Cavendish?
We always took riders at the last minute and Mark (Cavendish, ed.) was our last gamble. Cattaneo is rightWe are a winning team. Many have said that we have been below par this year, but I think that taking 55 victories behind two giants like Jumbo and UAE, we did our partWe won all three Grand Tours and we won a Monument. I think that the team has shown that it always has a winning mentality, the stimulus that we have been able to transmit to riders for years.
Perhaps little was said about the reaction during the period of the alleged merger…
Exactly. The Italian racing week and the results of the last five end-of-season races have been proof of our unity, despite the many rumours that were going aroundThe team really responded great. The riders who wear our jersey carry the mentality of this group, which also involves us directors and all the staff. I've always said: it's a big family.
Which has been going on for a quarter of a century…
Last week there was the 25th birthday party and I've been there since the beginningI think this is also our strength and we don't want to lose it. We want to continue on this path and I hope that Gianni will integrate well already in December.. In recent days he has seen the mentality, in December he will have to roll up his sleeves and work, planning for 2024 which will be truly important for him. I hope he gets the redemption of all the qualities he has always had since he was young..
Moscon has always needed a lot of motivation; perhaps the last person to understand this was Cassani, who was on the national team. Is it important for a rider like him to feel the team's trust?
I think that in cycling in recent years, where the level has risen so much, riders must arrive at events perfectly prepared. But Another factor that matters a lot is motivationIf the team believes in them, this becomes another strength. It is known that during the year There are times when things won't go well and in those situations the team has to be on the rider's side., knowing how to follow him, knowing how to make him react in difficult moments. I think we've always done that and will certainly continue to do so.
The final plans will be made in December, but in the meantime, how do we proceed?
We're well on our way, all that's missing is talking to the riders. I have my 4-5 to follow, including GianniI'll call them in the next few days to have an initial chat and get a more complete picture, so that we can make the right decision in December. The plans will then be revealed on January 9th at the team presentationIn the meantime, the hope is that everything goes well, that there are no accidents, that no one gets sick, that no one falls, so that we have a smooth schedule. December, January and February, even more than before, are truly three very important months., both for individual work and for planning team objectives.
Did Moscon also receive the new bike?
They are leaving right now emails to the previous teams of the new riders, so that from December 1st they can be free to use the new materialsOtherwise, it's impossible. There shouldn't even be any point in making such a request, but that's the situation right now. I also follow Landa, and he's in the same position.
