"I need a peaceful environment to do what I want" - Mark Padun looks to find his best legs once again at Corratec

Mark Padun had an absolutely breakthrough 2021 Criterium du Dauphiné, but after that year he hasn't managed to show his best level again. He believes he's found the root of the problem and is heading towards the new season with renewed motivation to get back to his best level.

"I had problems and bad luck. I couldn't find my rhythm. Several times I felt like I had great legs, but each time I got punctures, falls and unlucky episodes. I felt comfortable at EF, it's a good team, with good trainers and nice staff. I can't say it was their fault, but something did not work" Padun said in an interview with Bici.Pro. “As long as I was in the WorldTour, he (Padun's coach) could no longer follow me, because he also works in a big team. But today we started working together again.”

Padun's transfer to Team Corratec - Selle Italia had him leverage also the signing of his former coach, and is hoping that this will spark the change he needs to hit a high once again in his career. "We are back as before and things are better. This cannot be a coincidence," he says. Coming down a level, he should be a leader of the Italian ProTeam, who has reinforced itself with several World Tour figures who will lead a much stronger lineup for 2024. Padun is part of this plan, which includes returning to the Giro d'Italia.

Looking back at my way of working, we realized that during these two years I have always exaggerated with the loads of work. I arrived at the races tired and that wasn't normal. From now on, I'm going to train differently, with the right quantity and a lot of quality," he explains. "Italy marked the start of my career. I like the family mentality. I need a peaceful environment to do what I want to do now. To rebuild myself before even thinking about the goals to achieve. I have to find a way to become more consistent, to do what I know how to do well and to aim for the one goal that I can now say I have in mind.”

He'll meet up with two Ukrainian compatriots in the team: "It's a great coincidence. Our cycling is suffering, just like our people. There will be a real hole for the next generations. Everyone does what they can, but when there is a war, we also understand that sport comes afterward."

He mentions that racing for his national team this year is an objective, and specially looks to be chosen to race the Olympic Games in Paris. “Even if I would like, if we are ever invited. But I am thinking of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. I have to earn my place by doing good races . I think being in Paris would be a great way to get back on track," he concluded.