23/11/2023

“I demonstrated that I can be more competitive in the Classics"- More leadership opportunities key for Davide Formolo in switch to Movistar Team

After spending the last four years with UAE Team Emirates, Davide Formolo will make the switch to Movistar Team in 2024. A key reason for this is the chance to shine individually more often.

“It has been an unexpected choice for me too. At the beginning, I didn’t consider this option because at UAE I was feeling really comfortable, but after talking for several days with Eusebio Unzué, [Movistar team manager], it arose in me the idea to change,” Formolo says in conversation with GCN.

Jonas Vingegaard reveals he skipped a drug test: "I left my cell phone in the kitchen and the buzzer didn't work"

A highlight for Formolo during his time with UAE Team Emirates was helping Tadej Pogacar to Tour de France glory. “The most beautiful moment has been when Tadej won his first Tour de France [in 2020]. During the final time trial I was on the sofa with an injured shoulder due to a crash at stage 10,” he recalls.

“This is a moment that I will always carry with me because we trained together before the Tour and we started with a lot of doubts and desire for revenge, and he managed to realise the dream, that was just his first one," continues the Italian. "Cycling is a sport that when you watch it on the TV, you can get carried away in the emotions, but when you are racing you are focused on how to do your job in the best way. Being at home in some way made me enjoy that moment even more. It has been four memorable years, we went from being a really good WorldTour team to now the best team in the world. I think that every athlete dreams to ride for a team so important once in a lifetime."

"Even if it sounds immodest: We were the greatest in cycling" - Lance Armstrong on the close bond he and Jan Ullrich share

Looking forward though, Formolo is keen to get more chances to shine for himself. “I would like to do the Tour because also with the Italian Grand Départ, it will be really unique, and as an Italian rider it will be really nice to be there. I demonstrated that I can be more competitive in the Classics. Let’s see what we can do, only the road can say,” he concludes. “The team is giving me wonderful opportunities, doing Classics such as Strade Bianche and the Ardennes, let’s see. Racing against such phenomenons it’s not easy, but we will try to make space for ourselves among them.”