Davide Formolo is tipped for greatness by many in the sport of cycling, with Cannondale-Garmin manager Jonathan Vaughters saying the 22-year-old Italian can win the Giro d’Italia one day. Not that the pressure seems to be getting to Formolo.

“No, it’s not an added pressure. It’s a stimulus and it motivates me to do my job at 110 percent,” Formolo told Cyclingnews. “When you know people have that kind of faith in you, it just gives you an extra gear.”

But he acknowledged that he, along with Fabio Aru, is one of few rare young talents coming into the pro ranks from Italy, and that in order for more young talents to get into the WorldTour, Italian cycling has to change structurally. 

The cycling scene is in a state of despair, with Nibali the only current star in the sport from Italy (although Aru and Formolo are staking real claims to become stars) and many teams and races fading away. This year, Lampre-Merida are the only Italian team left in the WorldTour. Formolo says he doesn't know what will stop the rot in his homeland.

“Now in Italy they’re trying to implement the Continental system, but now they’ve found themselves with races that were meant to be for professional teams and they’re filled with Continental teams instead,” Formolo said. “Cycling is still loved in Italy, but I don’t know what the best model to follow is.”

“Maybe it’s a problem that goes beyond cycling too, because when the economy is in the state it’s in now, it’s difficult to find companies who are willing to put up the money to sponsor a good amateur or Continental team. Finding a big sponsor for the WorldTour would be even better, of course, but we’ll see how things go and hope things improve and this problem passes.”

Back to himself, the 22 year old says he has adapted nicely to the setup at Cannondale-Garmin and feels right at home in Vaughters’ team.

“When you make a change, you know what you’re leaving behind but you don’t know what you’re going to find ahead of you. But fortunately, I’ve come into a good team, with a lot of young riders, and there’s a good feeling,” Formolo said. “And besides, last year was my first year as a professional and that was new experience for me too, and it went well. It’s what you do on the bike that counts.”

He wouldn’t speak on whether or not he would ride the Giro or not, but says he is hungry for a big result at Tirreno-Adriatico, where he has promised to attack.

“In terms of results, I can’t really tell you what my goals are. Of course, getting a big result at Tirreno would be a dream but whenever you pin on a number, it’s the same: you want to win, you want to attack. You really just want to enjoy yourself and entertain the public too.”