After winning Italy's up-and-coming one-day race, Strade Bianche, Moreno Moser (Cannondale) is testing himself in Tirreno-Adriatico. The climbs in Umbria, Le Marche and Abruzzo will help him understand just where he is going.
"I want to see I'm going on that first important climb, Prati di Tivo, it will be a good test for me. Based on that, I'll decide if I needed to working on something specific or not," Moser told Cycling Weekly this morning.
"We'll see later on down the road if I can compete for the GC in a Grand Tour. Right now, I feel my place is in week-long races. I feel good in these types of races like Tirreno-Adriatico. Tirreno is a race I like a lot, and it'd be better with sunshine, though."
Moser heads through the damp Tuscan countryside today as part of the second leg. The race heads away from Siena, where Saturday he won Strade Bianche. He and team-mate Peter Sagan played off each other to defeat their rivals, including past winner Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Leopard).
"The party's already over," Moser added.
"Strade Bianche was a confirmation for me. I won the Tour of Poland last year, but Strade Bianche was a big one-day race at home and I needed to do something. With that, I have the confidence for other races."
After today and tomorrow, the Tirreno-Adriatico heads into the Apennine Mountains. Last year, Prati di Tivo helped decide the final. Moser's former team-mate Vincenzo Nibali won the stage and moved within striking distance. He took the overall victory in the final time trial.
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"I don't know what's going to happen. We don't have anyone else here to race for the GC, so I'm the man. I have a free card to do what I want," Moser said. "Clearly, Peter and I need to try to work together, like we've already done. We are a good couple, for sure."
Cognome Moser
Moreno is the son of Diego Moser, who also raced professional with some his 11 siblings, including Francesco. He won two stages of the amateur Giro d'Italia in 2011.
"Have you ever seen a last name that can ride on its own?" Moser said last year. In fact, he had to make his own way. After becoming pro with Liquigas-Cannondale last year, he won the Trofeo Laigueglia and the Tour of Poland.
"It means nothing to have the name; it's something I never thought about. I just always wanted to do my thing with my name, Moreno, and that's all," Moser continued this morning.
"Maybe there's extra pressure, there's more attention from the journalists. However, it doesn't bother me and I just try to keep going on the road towards wins."
Moreno Moser at Tirreno-Adriatico
Moser winning Strade Bianche
Related links
Tirreno-Adriatico 2013: Coverage index
Moreno Moser wins Strade Bianche
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