In a'interview given to us at the beginning of February, Manlio Moro had told us about his 2025 calendar, focused on the Northern classicsThe first one in which the Friulian rider of Movistar took part, on March 1st, was the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. A debut that however did not go as expected, since Moro (in the opening photo on the cobblestones of Roubaix in 2024) he ranked lastWe reached him to find out what he had to say. some background information on this very particular experience and to find out more about the rest of his season.
Manlio, let's get straight to the point. How come you finished last?
I didn't have the best feelings from the beginning and then I suddenly switched off. I definitely didn't eat well, even when it comes to hydration.I missed a refueling and was without water for quite a while. It's not easy to refuel in those situations, in those races there's so much confusion... And no, I ended up suddenly dying and from there I just focused on reaching the finish line.
The media's attention usually focuses on the frontriders, while the backriders stay out of the spotlight. You were there, how did you see the other riders?
I saw a lot of fatigue in general, because in these races, sooner or later, everyone reaches the limit, at 100% fatigue. The Northern Classics are special because they push you to the maximum effortYou have to have the perfect balance between your legs and your head, otherwise you'll end up in the air. And that takes experience. This is my second year at this level, and I'm still lacking some experience.
What was your role that day? Were you running free or supporting your teammates?
I was supposed to help Ivan Cortina, in theory, but then it's difficult to run together, you get lost even among friends in those narrow streets of BelgiumIn the entire peloton, there weren't two riders from the same team together. Every corner is a complete mess, it's impressive, hard to explain unless you're there. Every time you brake you might lose 50 positions just because you're on the wrong side of the road., and if you're on the right side, you might earn 50 in a flash. The classics are something in themselves.
As for the audience, what was the atmosphere like?
There in Belgium it's always a spectacle, It's always full of people who stay until the end to cheer everyone on. There you can really breathe in real cycling, where people applaud from first to last.
The next day you took part in the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne race. Things went a little better there, right?
I'd say yes, much better in terms of feeling. I was a bit unlucky because I fell behind when the group split up and then the ones in front went away. But I had good legs, The experience of the previous day was useful to me, I ate much better and also on a tactical level I think I made a step forward. Although I was still the one who made the mistake of being in the wrong position at the wrong time. But that's how it is in the Classics; as I was saying, I still need to gain some experience.
In the interview a month ago you told us that you're aiming for the Northern Classics. Which is your favorite?
We say Paris-Roubaix, come on, also considering my weight which is better suited to flat stones than those of the walls of Flanders.
So let's stick to Roubaix. Will you always work for Cortina, or will you be able to do your own race?
Let's see what they say at the meeting the day before. Then each race is something in itself, I always go with the ambition to do the best I can, both for myself and for the team. Sure, I don't think I can compete for the win, but I'd like to be in the leading group when it matters, that's for sure. We'll see.
We'd like to ask you one last question about the possible, perhaps probable, presence of Pogačar. What's your take on it?
I believe there are no limits to what he can do, He has the qualities that allow him to get to the front even there, in a race that is theoretically not suitable for people who ride stage races.I'm curious too, and what can I say? I hope to see it up close that day.
