Until a few weeks ago, the only trip abroad Daniele Forlin had made was for the Junior Nations Cup in Slovakia last year. This year, however, everything changes for the young rider from Abano Terme, as he will race very little in Italy and will be taking different flights. Daniele is indeed one of the two Italians, together with Mattia Proietti Gagliardoni, chosen by the new Movistar Academy, the development team of the historic Spanish squad.

Last year he wore the jersey of Nordest Villadose Angelo Gomme and raced the Italian classics for his category, today he arrives from a debut at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana where some of the world's best riders were present. "At the beginning I was a bit worried, because the level was high and the race was tough - he told us, the 2007 class rider. It was exciting, especially because occasionally I would turn around and see Evenepoel and Almeida, but I managed myself well. I could stay comfortably in the group, but when they raised the pace uphill there was little to do. I'm particularly happy to have been able to contribute in the last stage, when my teammate Raul Garcia Pierna won. The team, in general, welcomed me wonderfully, and everything is obviously much bigger compared to what I was used to, even more so when I race with the WorldTour. I'm trying to learn Spanish, it's an opportunity I can't miss, but in terms of understanding I've already improved a lot."

The Spanish team decided to throw him right into the professional peloton and it will be the same at the Figueira Champions Classic in Portugal, which he will race tomorrow. After that, he will start a calendar more focused on U23 races, particularly Paris-Roubaix, if the team is invited, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Giro Next Gen. He will return with the pros at the end of the season, for Giro della Toscana and Veneto classics.

"Last year I started with the goal of earning a call from a Devo team - Forlin continued. Initially, I was also worried because in the first months I didn't perform very well and feared all spots were already taken. Instead, I continued working with serenity and, thanks to my managers Maurizio Fondriest and Paolo Alberati, this opportunity arrived in the new Movistar project. My characteristics? I like mixed routes, tough but not too much, and that are still quite selective."

Daniele, in addition to cycling goals, obviously also has school objectives, as he attends the final year of the Agricultural Professional Institute Duca degli Abruzzi in Padua, which has allowed him to train in the morning and attend evening classes. "Fortunately, the teachers accommodate me and all absences are justified".

Thus, he can also focus best on races: "I want to be as prepared as possible for the Giro Next Gen and then have a good Italian Championship" he admitted, who started cycling with Padovani in 2020, the covid year, driven by dad Fabrizio's passion. "My idol? Van der Poel, because he wins everywhere and in different ways. The dream race? A nice stage at the Giro d'Italia".