The Tour of Oman was the seasonal debut for many riders, but for some, it marked the beginning of a new life chapter. Gianluca Brambilla ended his professional athlete career last October at the Veneto Classic, but wasted no time: he went back to school, obtained his UCI sports director license, and joined the Pinarello Q36.5 staff, the last team he rode for as an athlete. It was a choice driven by heart and the desire to continue in an environment he loves and has always considered a second home.

«The desire to stay in the group has always been there. Cycling is my life, my greatest passion, and I didn't want to leave it. I ended my athletic career by personal choice in a positive way, not because I was exhausted, and even before my last race, I had the idea of trying to become a sports director. I was always in contact with the team, and once I got the UCI certificate, I was given the opportunity to take on this new role, which indeed represents a significant change in my entire life. When I was a rider and returned home after races, I was always under stress, had to train and monitor my nutrition - it was a job that kept me busy 365 days a year. Now, instead, I can lead a normal life, between races I can dedicate time to my family, go on vacation, and disconnect a bit» Gianluca explained, while getting familiar with his new role. The most challenging part is certainly the relationship with athletes who, just a few months ago, were his teammates, but after all, he has always had the sports director spirit in his DNA.

In Oman, it was Gianluca's grand debut in his new role, with plenty of emotion, but the start was more than fortunate. At the pre-Muscat Classic meeting, he drew car number 1 and preferred to spend the day next to the "mentor" sports director Daniele Nieri, studying his movements even more closely. From the next day, with car number 4, he fully immersed himself in the action. «In the first race, I limited myself to observing, and it was very helpful. Compared to being an athlete, there are many different races. For me, everything was new, I was excited, and the tension was palpable. I had never been in a team car during a race except for a few kilometers, so I had only studied certain dynamics in books. I was struck by the chaos at the back of the group, and also by the danger - cars are next to each other, riders passing you from all sides, you need a thousand eyes - Gianluca continues - after this first experience, I'm extremely happy. I still have much to learn, but I believe I've had an truly exceptional teacher»

Day by day, Gianluca became more confident, as Daniele Nieri assures, he already has the eye of a sports director and is ready to become one of the best. During the six days of racing, thanks to the very wide roads, Brambilla had the opportunity to test himself, experiencing cycling in a different way but still within the group. It was a special and fortunate first day of school, the beginning of a new journey that will lead him to experience new emotions. «Gianluca was always an experienced rider, in recent years he was a team leader during races, the one who spoke most on the radio, signaling when something wasn't right. He already had the spirit of a sports director, and unlike me, he has an exceptional draw - not everyone can boast of starting immediately with car number one» Nieri adds, joking.

With the first race as a sports director archived, it's time for evaluations. Gianluca has already given his exceptional mentor a perfect nine, while Daniele stops at an eight for his student - after all, it's just the first of many adventures...

You can listen to the entire conversation (with some amusing moments) with Gianluca Brambilla and Daniele Nieri in the next episode of blablabike