Domenico Pozzovivo thriving on return to professional cycling

Just some days after officially being announced as Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux's new rider, 39-year old Domenico Pozzovivo as started the Vuelta a Andalucia in great form and is currently inside the Top10.

"I managed to achieve my first top ten for Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux in a stage suited for explosive riders. I’m satisfied with my current form and first two race days in my new colors. Step by step, I’m gaining confidence in my new environment," Pozzovivo said in a post-race interview yesterday.

The Italian veteran was left without a contract for 2022 after Team Qhubeka NextHash failed to secure the sponsors it needed for the season, leaving several riders like Pozzovivo and new South African national champion Reinardt Janse van Rensburg without a contract. After rumours had been piling on for weeks about his new move to the Belgian team, this week it was confirmed and he was immediately on the road, leading the team at the Spanish race.

"I feel better and better and I want to go full each day to test myself. If I can keep this level, I think I can make use of the longer climbs to obtain a good general classification," he added.

Pozzovivo finished yesterday's brutal finish at Alcalá La Real in eighth place and sits tenth in the overall. The longer climbs the peloton will find in the weekend suit him better, and it is possible to see the Italian move up the general classification even further.