After a fantastic first professional year, Davide Formolo found himself under huge pressure in 2015. Hailed as the next Italian grand tour star, he failed to live up to expectations but still proved himself with an excellent stage win in his first grand tour, the Giro d’Italia.

Formolo is now back in Italy to rest ahead of the 2016 season which will be his second year at Jonathan Vaughters’ Cannondale-Garmin team.

“This year I have not been very lucky, but overall it went pretty well,” he told Tuttobiciweb. “I made some small mistakes and I got sick at the wrong time which forced me to reschedule my season. At this level, it means that you are always chasing which is never good.

“I have experienced both highs and lows. The most exciting memory dates back to May 12, the victory in the fourth stage of the Giro d’Italia in La Spezia. I was the last rider to be selected by the team. I was not ready physically or mentally to withstand three weeks at a high level but I still think was a very positive experience for me. I understand it is a grand tour and I had a hard time. I admired the public fascination and learned so much. In the stage to Campitello Matese, I set my personal power record and from the first to the last day I crossed several important red lines that I will be useful in the future. Going back to "my" stage, I had the chills in the last 300 meters. I turned around and saw no one, except a motorcycle. It did not seem real to have this gap to my breakaway companions. I was afraid someone would get back. Until now it is the best day of my life. The opportunities must be seized and you can’t waste them.

"Now I understand how my body reacts to three weeks, my limitations and my strengths. Earlier I weighed less than 60 kg, not enough for a pro. If you are so light, you are dropped on the flats. Now I weigh 64-65 kg for my 1.81m. Technically I climb quite well, but I miss the change of pace. I need to improve in this area. The time trial Valdobbiadene was a nice test. Such a long time trial requires much training and a flawless position, using a lot more than the usual muscles of the buttocks and the back of the thigh. If I can use the TT bike a bit more, I will feel the difference so I have some work to do.”

After one year at the Italian Cannondale, Formolo found himself in an American team when his employer merged with the Garmin team.

"In the beginning I felt a bit confused at Cannondale-Garmin, struggling with the language but then I learned that in America the bikes have two wheels and two pedals,” he said. “It is still pedaling. Since then I have improved my English. It’s still not very good but getting better every day. I am always traveling around the world but I do not forget my roots and I can just spend time with my loved ones.”

Formolo now has his eyes on 2016.

“After gathering with the team in Aspen, I went on vacation 10 days in Maranga. Back home I resumed training but I don’t have a program. I have to talk to the staff but of course I would love to do the Giro d’Italia.

"I promise to give the maximum and win as much as possible. My focus is to improve my time trial, a discipline that is essential to be able to go for the stage races. If we succeed, we'll see where I can get.”