You don't notice him in the bunch, he's one of those who "files" well, never a gust of air more than necessary, maximum output with minimum effort, an innate sense of positioning. Then, after 200 kilometers of cold, wind, climbs and pavé, comes the sprint of the best and there emerges Luca Mozzato from nowhere. That's how he won Bredene Koksijde and Binche Chimay Binche, that's how he finished second in a Tour of Flanders, a Tro-Bro Leon and a Kint Classic, third in a Nokere. The twenty-eight-year-old from Vicenza, at Tudor since this year, has added to his collection the silver medal at the 78th Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, beaten by the new jet-man of Visma, Matt Brennan. No further confirmation needed: the most... Belgian Italian rider there is comes from Sarego.

"The day before at the Omloop was tragic for us, six out of seven riders crashed, including me, half of us ended up in the hospital and Küng with a broken femur. At Kuurne we had to reset ourselves mentally, my second place and Trentin's third gave us morale. Brennan in a finish like that was unbeatable. As far as I'm concerned, I'm satisfied. The first racing weekend in Belgium is very important for riders, there's tension, lots of jostling."

Apart from Brennan, you dropped them from your wheel: is this a more powerful Mozzato compared to other years?

"In terms of power, I think I'm in line with my usual values, but I've definitely worked more specifically on sprinting this winter: more gym work and dedicated training every two or three days. Time will tell if I did well, the start seems encouraging."

For someone used to managing on his own, having Trentin by your side is quite an advantage...

"Matteo has a lot of experience and great ability to read the race. Few know how to move in the bunch like he does. Let's say it's much better to have him with you than against you. For me, he's added value. Plus, we have good understanding, we speak the same language, often in dialect..."

What makes you a specialist in Northern races?

"They're the most difficult races for many reasons: the climate, the type of roads, the mud, the strong wind, the distances. You need to know how to navigate all these components. If I had to identify my main strength, I'd say resistance to cold. I proved that at the Omloop too. Even when I finished second at the Tour of Flanders, we'd been pedaling the last two hours in rain and freezing cold."

Second at Flanders behind Van der Poel is big stuff, yet Mozzato dreams of Gent...

"I've always thought that Gent-Wevelgem seems designed specifically for me: a few climbs but not too hard, wind that often decides it. For one reason or another, it hasn't gone well so far, but it remains the central objective of my Northern campaign."

And the Tour of Flanders?

"It's an extremely hard race, with a handful of superstars who race at a superior level. The rest of us have to exploit the situations that might present themselves, and I'm among those."

After a 20th and 21st place, you could think about a top ten at Paris-Roubaix...

"At Roubaix yes, it's a more unpredictable race, you can play it. Besides, both those placements are linked to regrets, they could have been better results."

Moving further south: Milan-San Remo really doesn't suit you?

"Arnaud De Lie said it well: with riders like Pogacar and Van der Poel using their teams to set record times on the Cipressa, for almost everyone else San Remo ends there. At that point I go race something where I have a chance (editor's note, 7th at Bredene Koksijde Classic)."

Your main boss is Fabian Cancellara, a pavé giant: what does it feel like?

"He was my idol when I was a kid, today I'm fortunate to be in his team. His charisma is intact, for me he's still a hero."

from Il Giornale di Vicenza