In 2024, the controversial Gianni Moscon will race for Soudal QuickStep, having made the switch in the off-season after two disappointing years with the Astana Qazaqstan Team. In an interview with the Dutch website indeleiderstrui, the Italian gave details of his time with the Kazakhstan team and his expectations for the new team.
The last few years have been difficult
“The last two years have been really bad,” he sums up in a few words.
“Sometimes I didn’t feel respect, I looked like an idiot in these races. And then people from Astana Qazaqstan Team also started saying that I was lazy, didn’t exercise and everything. That wasn’t true!”
“It’s much easier to be a cyclist when you’re winning. I never felt like cycling was a sacrifice for me, ever. That wasn’t the case until the last two years because I received nothing in return for my sacrifices.”
Soudal Quickstep
“It’s great to be a cyclist again. I am confident that I can participate again,” he says with a smile.
“When I joined the team I had no morale or self-confidence, but when I joined the team in mid-November it was immediately different. Every person I spoke to had more confidence in me than I had in myself. This gave me confidence again”, reveals Moscon, without forgetting to say who was responsible for the transfer.
“Patrick (Lefevere, team CEO) is the most important element of the story. Without him I wouldn’t be here, I’m a bet for him. He wanted a cyclist like me, who has been riding poorly for two years… that’s hard to get. Maybe I’m a good investment, so to speak…”, smiles Moscon.
Goals for 2024
When it comes to goals, Moscon is on the Soudal Quick-Step long list. “It’s difficult to say now because we have to wait until the first races. But I think it could help the Remco in many situations, like in the medium mountains or flat stages. I can be the best version of myself.”
But the real dream, of course, is still a great victory. “If I can dream boldly, I would say winning a classic. Roubaix, why not? I was close, but it’s easier to lose than to win. I have noticed this in recent years”, concluded the 29-year-old Italian.
