Magnificent Moschetti

Trek-Segafredo's young sprinter opens the team's European season with victory in the Challenge Mallorca.

Trek-Segafredo kicked off their European season with the same class as Down Under as young Italian sprinter Matteo Moschetti exploited flawless teamwork to win the first day of the four-day Challenge Mallorca Thursday.

“Alexander Kamp did a real good job to control the race, and then, in the end, all the guys were amazing,” said an elated Moschetti. “They started with (Alex) Kirsch, (Quinn) Simmons, Ryan (Mullen), Jasper (Stuyven), and then Emils (Liepins) was a perfect lead-out. The victory of today, I have to say thank you to all the guys because they were perfect, and I just finalized their work.”

The Trofeo Felanitx, Ses Salines, Campos, Porreres expected to finish in a bunch sprint, and with noted sprinter Pascal Ackermann amongst other distinguished fast men in the field, it was going to be a big challenge for Trek-Segafredo and their budding sprinter.

The team took an early initiative in the 170-kilometer race with another new face to the team this year,  Alexander Kamp, putting in some hard miles in keeping the breakaway in check. Trek-Segafredo had Moschetti, but they also had another proven finisher in Jasper Stuyven.

The team’s plan was two-fold:  Stuyven would go for a late flyer with Moschetti ready for the sprint if that did not pan-out, but when the race wound up in the final kilometers, Stuyven, instead, was prominent on the front.

“In the end, Jasper decided to go for the lead-out, and a big thanks to him because he took a good decision for me and also for the team,” pointed out Moschetti.

The team made the tricky finish smooth for Moschetti, leading the young Italian fast man through a roundabout and last two corners.

 

The victory of today, I have to say thank you to all the guys because they were perfect, and I just finalized their work.

“The final was tricky with the two last corners, and also the roundabout, but like I said, the guys did a perfect job – really perfect. We are a strong team, and today we proved this,” added Moschetti.

“To start the season with a win means a lot for me because last year it was not easy. I had two bad crashes, so I want to prove, first to myself, and then to all the people that I am at a good level and I can win some races, so…,” his voice trailed off, then he added, smiling, “I am really happy.”

The next two days in the Challenge Mallorca will feature plenty of climbs and the sprinters will likely take a backseat until Sunday.

“Yeah, I am confident for Sunday,” answered Moschetti when asked about his feeling for the final day in Palma, “but now I would like to enjoy this victory with my teammates, my family, and all my friends.”