Riders to Watch in 2015 – Mauro Finetto (interview)

By David Hunter

He completed 68 racing days, in 2014, and finished in the top 50 a staggering 51 times. Consistency is his middle name. Included in these results was 2 wins, 4 other podium spots and 18 top 10 spots.

As a man he is humble, welcoming and generous with his time. He is a rider who deserves a call back to the World Tour, a big 2015 would certainly help. When I last spoke to Mauro we started by discussing his appearance in the most consistent riders of 2014, on this website.

“I thank all the people who think this, too good!

Let’s say it’s in my nature to always want to be competitive throughout the season and this year I really have been,” he said.

“Yes, I’ll tell you that I’m satisfied with 2014 but I’m sure I can do better, I want to do even better, maybe less placements and win some more,” he continued.

“I would say I have no regrets, I always made the choices that I thought right, both in races and in the management of the season. If anything, I ask for a bit more luck in the decisive moments of the race. This makes me think of Tre Valli Varesine, I saw so many races on television since I was a child, that was won by an attack at that time and so I gave it.”  

The attack seemed to be perfectly timed and as Mauro said, it usually ends in a win. Instead, Sonny Colbrelli chased him down, only for Michael Albasini to take the race. A very frustrating moment and an opportunity missed.

In the winter of last year, Mauro took himself off to California to live with friends. This was no holiday, but his very own pre-season training camp. Long rides in beautiful conditions was ideal to prepare Mauro for the forthcoming season. It certainly worked as he finished 2nd in the opening race of the season, GP Costa Degli Etruschi.

“It definitely helped me. I spent the entire period of the Christmas holidays with no distractions, and above all training in a more than mild climate. This isn’t everything but certainly was an advantage.”

This was followed with 11th in Trofeo Laigueglia, before he headed to Switzerland and GP Lugano. This is a very selective race, with plenty of tough climbs. Mauro had to battle with an in-form Ulissi, Cunego and the Bardiani boys. Ulissi tried an attack on the final climb, but the race ended in a very small bunch sprint.

“After Trofeo Laigueglia, I knew I had to try to win. During every part of the race, I was very concentrated and for once everything went the right way. After winning I was in the grip of emotion, as if I could not remember how good it was to win! And it was really nice to be struggling to hold back tears of joy!”

It had been a long wait for Mauro, his last win was 12th April 2009, almost 5 years ago. During that spell, he even had a year out of pro cycling. He was forced to head back to the mountain bike in 2012, but you can’t keep a quality rider down. After the win, confidence was flowing,

“I thought I could win once again, straight away, instead I had to wait a while.”

The Italian races are a big deal for Neri Sottoli as they looked to win the Italian Cup and secure a Giro wildcard. The next big race was Strade Bianche. As an ex-mountain biker, this is a race that suits Mauro, but he didn’t have a good day.

“I was very upset about my poor performance. The legs were good, but that day it was very windy and staying ahead in the right places with the help of the team was crucial, especially on occasions such as the one where the Pro Tour teams are very strong and very organized. That day my positioning was wrong, taking a few dirt roads too far back, then you are also making a puncture and the end of games. Next year will be better.”

Then we had the epic Milano-San Remo. The terrible weather made it very selective and a brutal race to ride in. Mauro, despite not liking the conditions, made the crucial selection. As we approached the final corner, he started to make his move up the bunch, however, instead of glory disaster struck. Mauro was brought down by a crash and his hopes were gone.

“The one disappointment is still very much alive and will remain so for long. I worked hard for that race, not having received the Wild Card for the Tirreno-Adriatico I had worked very hard in training, alone at home. I had a wonderful physical condition, but that day with those conditions I needed little, it was about your head and THE BIG desire to get a result. When everything could be paid off with the podium, I’m in the wrong place at the wrong time; Battaglin went wrong in the last corner, I find myself next to him and in a moment brings me with him into the barrier, a nightmare! I thought it might be my revenge for 2012, taking a possible top 5, instead it became another disappointment.”

In cycling you don’t have long to dwell on your disappointment as a new race is always just around the corner. The team headed to Belgium, a favourite of Mauro’s.

“I love the races in Belgium, who has the legs remain in front of those who do not have them. There is always a high pace and the concentration must be maximum, then the characteristics of the course are perfect for my legs and the public is always one for special occasions. When they are on the front of the race in the midst of “the streets” the adrenaline goes up for me, a lot!”

Stage 1 of De Panne and a crucial break had formed, with Terpstra and Van Keirsbulck. Mauro was back in the peloton but sensed the time was right to move.

“In the 1st stage of De Panne I was feeling good. I attacked 35km from the finish, the right time to get back to the lead of the race. Too bad that the last 15 km wasn’t very selective. In the group that was going to play out the race there were a couple of the fastest runners in the sprint for me, so I decided to try to anticipate the sprint with 400m to go, starting at the last corner. Too bad Sagan, very skilled in these situations, immediately took my wheel behind the others.”

A strong week allowed Mauro to finish 7th on GC. A very good result.

“I was very happy, especially with the excellent performance in the time trial. That day, I was not very aerodynamic but I was able to do a great performance.”

The Giro followed, but it was a disappointment. A mixture of bad luck and tiredness cost Mauro and he was a DNF on the day of Stelviogate!

“It was after a few days, I had the feeling of being in the Giro just to participate. The efforts of my long early season began to weigh.”

Leaving the Giro early allowed Mauro to concentrate on the Italian Championships. A very difficult day, on a difficult course. Especially with a flying Vincenzo Nibali around!

“I retired from the Giro in anticipation of this event, not to get too tired and have time to catch my breath. I made a nice try but wasn’t up to what I expected.” 

A tired Mauro headed for some rest and looked to recharge his batteries, before the second half of the season. It started in France with Tour du Limousin and couldn’t have gone much better, with a stage win and taking the overall title.

“After a period of rest, then training hard, I got to Limousin with a great condition. The first two stages, despite two unfortunate incidents, concluded with top 5 results. I told myself that the third could not go wrong with anything and I had to prove to be in better shape at that time, I also took the lead in the standings, fantastic, my first win in a GC. Beautiful!”

It must have been a great moment. At 29 years old and after everything that he’s been through, I was delighted to see Mauro claim an overall victory. Hopefully he finds the winning habit!

The next big Italian race was Il Lombardia and a change of route. It suited Mauro and he made the crucial selection, but just lost contact on the final climb.

“The route I like a lot, maybe more than the previous ones. Next year, I hit a big result.”

A problem that Mauro has encountered in the big World Tour races, is a lack of teammates in crucial moments. In both Lombardia and Milano-San Remo, Mauro was left alone in the final selection. Having just 1 teammate would allow him a chance to rest and refuel before trying again. It also leaves him the task of moving up the peloton without assistance. This wastes a huge amount of energy. Things should be different in 2015 as the team have added some big names to their squad: Wackermann, Favilli, Gavazzi and maybe Petacchi. Will these new signings mean a different role for Mauro?

“My role will remain the same and in a team like ours, if you have the legs you will get your chance. There will be room for everyone.”

One of the most interesting battles this season has been the one between Finetto and Colbrelli. Many times they have sprinted against each other with both enjoying success. The last of these was in Coppa Sabbatini, where Colbrelli won the uphill sprint.

“In that race there is a regret. I tried a long sprint, my partner Failli did a great job but I left too soon and was found out. I felt very strong on that type of finish but Sonny  jumped me in the last 40m, too bad.”

I get the feeling both riders have a lot of respect for each other and we’ll see many battles between them next year.

“We have had many battles, our features are similar: I’m a better climber, he’s faster. We will see again in 2015.”

All the hard work paid off and Neri Sottoli won the Italian Cup and claimed a place in the 2015 Giro. Points are rewarded throughout the whole season, in Italian races, and Mauro’s consistency meant that he claimed most of the team’s points.

“I am proud to have contributed to the victory in the Italian Cup, with my teammates. It is true I got most of the points but my companions have often worked for me, and that’s why it’s a team victory.”

The only bad point of the year was the positive test of teammate Rabbotini. This meant 3 positive tests in 1 year, for the team. Last year, the team missed some of Mauro’s favourite races because of this and there was an attempt to have the Italian Cup taken off them, meaning no Giro. Thankfully, that attempt failed.

“I am worried with the positive tests, but I hope it does not mean I have to lose out again.”

Our thoughts turn to next season. After such a successful start to 2014, Mauro will probably follow the same training program and return to California for his winter training. With a host of new teammates, the team and Mauro will be expecting more big results in 2015. We ended by talking about his targets for 2015,

“I’m not telling! hahaha.”

I’ll have a go……Milano-San Remo, Il Lombardia, Italy Championships and a stage in the Giro. Bet he wishes he told me know!

2015 will hopefully be the year when the rest of the cycling world wake up to the talent of Mauro Finetto. I, for one, will be cheering him all the way.