His contract expires at the end of this season. Matteo Fabbro la Bora Hansgrohe It represented a turning point in his career that led him to WorldTour cycling alongside champions and with responsibilities that are never trivial. Last year, thanks to bronchitis that arrived at a delicate moment, immediately after the Tirreno-Adriatico, has not been able to perform at the level of his expectations. The 27-year-old from Friuli in 2020 and 2021 he has proven to be an excellent team player with plenty of room for personal growth.
Looking for the right space to seize the right opportunity, It goes without saying that 2023 will be a watershed year both for his age and for his career.So Matteo agreed to give us some insights and expectations for the upcoming season.
Have you already been to the warm for the winter retreat?
Yes, we had a retreat in December in Mallorca and in January we are free. I will go to Gran Canaria on my own and then I will go straight to the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana on February 1st.
How is the preparation going?
Good feelings, everything normal. We faced a different preparation from last year because in 2022 it was more focused on Tour of Italy. This year I'm preparing for the Giro anyway, but I'm trying to have a little more space in the races first and therefore be ready.
What goals did the team set for you?
Support the Giro for Vlasov and, if there is an opportunity, to play my cards maybe with long-range attacks or on some stages let's say that they will leave me a little more freedomWe are the outgoing winners with Hindley So we'll have all eyes on us. We'll be back with a strong team, but it's never easy to confirm your form. We'll see what the form will be soon. For me, it's enough not to get sick first and have to cancel like I had to last year. due to bronchopneumonia after the Tirreno-Adriatico.
Is this why your 2022 didn't shine?
It's been a bad year. I took a three-week break after the Tirreno without touching the bike. Such a long setback during that period is crucial for the entire season. In fact, I started to have good feelings and go strong at the end of 2022, like at the Lombardy race, but by then the opportunities had faded.
What are your important dates for 2023?
I should do the Giro and the Vuelta, but there's still a long way to go, the variables are infinite, so I'm setting myself closer goals which are to go strong in the Giro and Catalunya.
So will you be present at the tour with other forwards?
Hindley will not defend the pink jersey, but there will be Vlasov and Kamna who will aim for the rankingWe will all be supportive and, if the opportunity arises, we will be ready to play our cards.
Have you already got an idea of the routes?
That of the Vuelta is not a bad route, but in my opinion the Giro is even tougher. I think it will be similar to 2020. There are long stages and especially the last week will be unforgiving. Especially what will be wasted in the first part, will be paid for at the end.There are two time trials that shouldn't be underestimated. On paper, in my opinion, it's more challenging than 2022.
Your contract expires at the end of the season. How are you coping with this situation?
On the one hand, it's certainly a stimulus. I am motivated to redeem myself from last season which was penalised by injuries and various events.I spent a year chasing condition and I will definitely try to show up in the first part. I will reluctantly not do the Tirreno, because it is a race that is particularly important to me. But I'll be in Catalunya and looking at the route, that's not easy either.
Going back to your preparation, have you made any changes during the winter?
I changed the position a little bit in retreat and I stepped back slightly. Then I switched to the aero handlebars of the Roval, because the one I was using was an older model.
Why this setback?
I felt a little uncomfortable. My feeling was that I couldn't close myself off, especially when I put my hands down. Since I started cycling this winter in retreat, with the technicians Specialized we decided to make this little change.
Are these natural changes in position or is it due to something else?
I was very extreme before, at the limit forward. Another factor that may have had an impact is having changed shoes. I had the S-Works and since they went out of production this year I switched to the AresWe have come to this conclusion. Every now and then it's okay to make a little change. Then we talk about millimetres, subtleties that on a mental level represent precautions that can help.
