Davide Formolo: “I’ll do the Giro this season”
One of the youngest riders in the World Tour peloton, 22-year-old Davide Formolo has some very precise goals in his mind when it comes to his career. Touted by many as the next big thing to come from Italy, a country which rediscovered its passion and love for cycling, Formolo dreams of winning a Grand Tour in the future, but at the same time is aware of the fact that he has a long road ahead of him and has to work hard in order to get at the top and fulfill has career goals.
In 2014, Formolo has had a very impressive season, with top ten placings in strong stage races (4th in the Tour of Turkey and 7th in the prestigious Tour de Suisse), as well in many important one-day races, like the Gran Premio di Lugano or the Giro dell’Emilia. At the end of the year, when Cannondale and Garmin merged, it was no surprise that Davide Formolo was among the first riders to get a contract with the US-based team.
This year, the Italian cyclist opened his account with a podium in the Trofeo Andratx-Mirador d’Es Colomer, which was followed by a 7th place on the Alto do Malhão, in the Volta ao Algarve, a race which he finished 14th. Now, although he is busy preparing for his next goals, which include both Tirreno-Adriatico and the Giro d’Italia – where he’ll test himself against the big guns – Formolo made some time to talk for Cafe Roubaix about his season.
– Davide, how was 2014?
It was a very important year for me. Taking into account the fact that it was my first pro season, my primary goal was to learn as much as possible. The way things went exceeded my expectations. I scored some very strong results, but the thing that made me the most happy was that I was consistent all year long.
– How did you prepare for this season?
During the winter training camps, I’ve worked a lot on the time trial bike. Also, I feel that now I’m much stronger in the long stage races.
– Next week you’ll be in Tirreno-Adriatico. What are your goals?
I had a strong start to the season, but now I’m ill and I hope to recover as soon as possible. I don’t know how things will go there. I’d like to get a nice result and I hope I will be fit enought to fight for it. Tirreno-Adriatico is a beautiful race, but very hard, and the riders who will be at the start are all strong.
– What do you think of Monte Terminillo?
I’ve climbed on the Monte Terminillo once, during my U23 spell. It happened in the Girobio, but on another side. I remember from back then that it’s a very hard ascent.
– What other races will you do after Tirreno-Adriatico?
I’ll go in the Criterium International and the Vuelta al Pais Vasco.
– Do you know if you’ll race a Grand Tour this year?
Yes, I’m going to be at the startline of the Giro d’Italia in May. It will be my first three-week race, and my main goal will be to test myself in the hard mountain stages, so that I can find out what my limits are.
Cafe Roubaix 