Sergio Meris won an exciting race down to the last point and deserved the victory in the Oscar tuttoBICI Jayco AlUla Grand Prix for Élite. The 23-year-old from Bergamo of MBH Bank Colpack Ballan CSB beat Nicolò Garibbo of Technipes InEmiliaRomagna, last year's winner, and Simone Buda of Solme Olmo. Let's dive into the world of this promising climber and university student who, after a year of Oscar among the Elite, is ready to take flight among professionals with the Dutch Professional team TDT-Unibet.

Are you already in the Netherlands, Sergio?

"Yes, we've held the first team gathering to get to know each other and start planning 2025 (the year when the team will be called Unibet Tietema Rockets and will race with a French license, ed). But I continue to live in Gorle, in the province of Bergamo, and study Nutrition Sciences online at San Raffaele University in Rome. I have five exams left, which I hope to complete next year, that would be another great milestone. So far, I haven't put pressure on myself, but I've tried to balance cycling and studying, because studying helps me unwind from competitive goals."

At what age did you start cycling?

"At 6 years old with the Ciclo Team of Nembro, following in the footsteps of my older brothers. Mario, the eldest, raced two years in Colpack before pursuing studies, now lives in Dublin and works in economics; Francesco is a biomedical engineer and stopped after his first year as an amateur. Our parents always supported us, never forcing things. Mom Marianna and dad Livio are now both retired, so they can follow me live at many races. My brothers came close to professionalism, now that I've managed to make cycling a job, it's a satisfaction for the entire family."

Before taking the big leap, there's an Oscar to celebrate.

"Yes, and I'm extremely happy because it's the most coveted award in Italy. I started the year not at my best due to a knee problem, at the Coppi&Bartali after achieving encouraging results I fell, but then I rolled up my sleeves, in Livigno I properly prepared the second part of the season where I found my right pedaling stroke. I won 4 races and managed to be present in national and international competitions. I dedicate the Oscar to my family, each member is fundamental, and to my maternal uncle Gino, who since I was little has traveled many kilometers to come and see me race. I started competing as a G1, and even though 16 years have passed, I clearly remember the photo that captures me in my first cycling jersey."

If you met that child today, what would you tell him?

"That it was truly worth it. To get here, it took a lot of commitment, but I would do it all again. Cycling is a life school, it's a difficult and hard sport, but it teaches a lot, and anyone who loves it can't do without it. I'm a calm type, who doesn't mind 'living the life' of a cyclist. I like training, resting, and enjoying the small things. We're often far from loved ones, so when I can, I dedicate time to them. In my free time, I listen to music, watch movies, and cook, also because of my course of study, I like trying new dishes. We cyclists have strange hours, and diet doesn't help with experiments, but changing tastes benefits mind and body."

Where does this Oscar project you?

"Towards a new adventure that is the cherry on top of a youth career that I can only be happy about. In the Elite category, we all aim to find a contract, there's a lot of tension, we seek results in every race, but obtaining them is never simple. Once signed, I felt accomplished. For 2025, I've set the goal of building good relationships in the team, getting along with everyone and working for more experienced teammates. In the first year, I believe this is the most one can aspire to, working as a team makes the difference and when I'll have to do the 'dirty work' of a domestique, I'll be happy, convinced that it will help me grow. Obviously, I would like to achieve beautiful personal results, but especially at the beginning, I won't get discouraged if others are stronger."

Simone Roganti, who suffered a sudden illness last August, was supposed to join TDT Unibet.

"I only discovered this when he passed away, when I saw the photo published by the team, I identified so much with him because we went through the same effort. I imagined his path would have been very similar to mine: he had done everything right, committed 110%, thinking only of cycling, and when he was about to realize his dream, everything ended in a heartbreaking and inexplicable way. I never had the pleasure of talking to him in person, but everyone describes him as a wonderful guy. He remains one of us. My heart aches thinking that he is no longer physically here and that, unfortunately, we won't be able to live this adventure together."

What will it be like to debut with the big names?

"Just thinking about participating in certain races alongside today's champions gives me goosebumps. Two years ago at Coppi&Bartali, I rode with Mathieu Van der Poel and was impressed by the energy he emanates, he has a particular aura, let alone Pogacar, Evepoel, van Aert... Looking further ahead, I dream of participating in the three grand tours and obtaining a significant victory. I'm fascinated by Strade Bianche and all the hard classics like Liège and Flanders."

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OSCAR TUTTOBICI ELITE HONOR ROLL

1996 Maurizio Vandelli
1997 Vladimir Duma
1998 Gianluca Tonetti
1999 Marco Zanotti
2000 Antonio Salomone
2001 Denis Bondarenco
2002 Luca Solari
2003 Manuele Mori
2004 Giairo Ermeti
2005 Alexander Efimkin
2006 Marco Cattaneo
2007 Francesco De Bonis
2008 Emanuele Vona
2009 Paolo Ciavatta
2010 Federico Rocchetti
2011 Matteo Busato
2012 Patrick Facchini
2013 Gianfranco Zilioli
2014 Davide Pacchiardo
2015 Gianluca Milani
2016 Davide Orrico
2017 Andrea Toniatti
2018 Umberto Marengo
2019 Simone Ravanelli
2020 Stefano Gandin
2021 Cristian Rocchetta
2022 Francesco Di Felice
2023 Nicolò Garibbo
2024 Sergio MERIS