Mattia Cattaneo will be one of the few riders who, in two weeks, will leave Canada having completed the full slate of races. GP de Québec and Montréal, World time trial, Team Relay, World road race: 5 racing days on a three-week trip.

If Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe keeps him as close as possible to Remco Evenepoel, and the Italian national team deploys him in every race, there must be a reason. At 35 years old - even though Remco affectionately calls him "grandpa" - the Bergamo native is still going very strong, as demonstrated at the last Tour de France.

"It will be a very demanding end to the season, initially I was supposed to do the Tour of Germany, but we decided with the team to skip it to try to be as fresh as possible in the final weeks - said the former Androni rider, who returned to racing in Québec after the post-Tour break -. Also because this Canadian trip promises to be demanding, especially mentally. After all, in terms of timing, it's similar to a Grand Tour".

As of today he is officially at the disposal of the national team, which in the coming days will welcome the various time trialists, Filippo Ganna included. The last time trial Cattaneo did was the rolling one at the Grande Boucle with the finish in Thonon-les-Bains, which he closed in 6th place, behind only the general classification contenders.

"I've worked a lot on the time trial recently. Actually, I'm not so focused on the World Championship one, which is for purer specialists, for heavier guys, but more on the European Championship in Ljubljana, which is similar to the Tour one, and I really hope to do something good".

In Montréal the most anticipated battle in the race against the clock is between his captain Evenepoel and his national teammate Ganna. "Remco will be one of the men to beat in both races. In the time trial, with Pippo, they're evenly matched, I'd say 50-50, especially because the course is completely flat, perfect for Pippo".

After the team relay on Tuesday, September 22, everyone can then focus on the road race, where Italy, as also explained by Giulio Ciccone, won't want to play a supporting role. "Yes, I confirm what Cicco said, we'll be one of the strongest teams, especially because our captains arrive ready, in form. I'll have the same role I have here at Red Bull, helping them bring home the best possible result" Cattaneo added.