Less than 20 km from where he was born, he, a native of Osasco in the Pinerolo area who came into the world in Savigliano, turns the page at the finish line in Bra. Jacopo Mosca, after ten years in the spotlight of professional cycling, seven of which wearing the Lidl Trek jersey, hangs up his bike and from next season is ready to climb into the team car of the same German-American squad.

Thursday, October 8th, with the Gran Piemonte, what journey closes?
«It was fulfilling, desired with a good dose of stubbornness, which I recognize in myself, because if you're not winning the road is steeper: but I made it and I'm proud of the path that boy took when he first approached cycling at SC Bricherasio. Then I want to expressly mention them, there were Esperia, Ucab, Podenzano and Viris, meeting a guiding figure like Matteo Provini».

When it comes to satisfactions, what can we absolutely not forget?
«It comforts me to have received and I think given a lot. When I read the messages that have arrived in recent hours from various teammates, I understand what it means to me to give my all in a race, the gratification you get when you collaborate in achieving the result».

From generous breakaway rider to luxury domestique, what a transition that was?
«The wind in your face is the common denominator, in my first two years at Wilier I had to stand out with long-range attacks and I even found success twice in China, after that team needs changed, even though I had some nice individual opportunities, without losing sight of the domestique mission, which I felt increasingly tailored to me».

Meanwhile, cycling has changed a lot: how?
«Consider this: my best 10-minute performance was from 2020, two weeks ago I beat that record but the difference was made by others».

The Giro 5 times, the Vuelta 3: quite a haul of participations...
«I can't complain, it's a kaleidoscope of nuances that I experienced in stage races, I add the classics starting with Sanremo, won as a team the year of Stuyven, a great memory, even though I'm especially proud of having raced alongside and for a captain like Vincenzo Nibali. I admire Skjelmose's leadership, while speaking of the 'Shark' I would have liked to escort him in the Italian national colors at Imola 2020. It didn't happen that way, a shame, even though with the National team I experienced a European Championship in 2024».

How were your legs turning in 2021 before the crash at the Italian time trial nationals?
«I had ridden a great Giro and at the Tour d'Occitanie I had also achieved a double third place. It paired well with the many placings from the summer of the year before. The terrible crash forced me into a comeback that lasted two years, taking away a percentage of my ability to serve the captains in the mountains».

Proud of not giving up in 2019 when you found a spot in a Continental team?
«I was talking about stubbornness, a quality I inherited from my father. The Italian national jersey for the Coppi and Bartali was honored with a third place in a stage and I wasn't scared when it came to racing less prestigious competitions. In August I was at the Vuelta. Tossed around appropriately but happy».

A new chapter opens as a technical staff member: under what premises?
«Advancing by 12 months what was already planned, I'm ready to learn and it's a task that I feel suits my characteristics: at Lidl Trek I have the fortune to learn from those who stopped not long ago like Rast and Monfort, just as I experience the organizational qualities of Baffi (or Andersen, ed.), to whom I'm grateful along with Luca Guercilena and Josu Larrazabal for all the support received. The role of sports director goes well beyond driving a team car, it combines many skills and I would like to contribute to ensuring that every rider gives their best. It's not a cliché, motivation really can make the difference».

Will there be more time to cheer for Longo Borghini at races?
«This makes me happy, as athletes both reconciling schedules with my wife's was not simple at all, it resembled a game of Risk. Tuesday, early in the morning, I left for Slovenia with my in-laws: we didn't want to miss the emotion of seeing Elisa racing at the Europeans with the rainbow jersey of the Team Relay won in Canada».

Thursday is Jacopo Day: «She, Elisa, will be there, cycling brought us together and I will never be grateful enough for this combination of destiny: the closeness of those who love me on the occasion of my last performance as a professional? One more reason to be mentally serene in facing this transition».

from L'Eco del Chisone of October 7 - photo by Marco Galliani