Concluding his spring classics campaign far below his own expectations, failing to claim a victory in one-day races despite the best efforts from his Cannondale captain Peter Sagan at the Driedaagse De Panne, Oscar Gatto headed to Switzerland hoping for more successful continuation of the 2014 season, with the Tour de Romandie as a final build-up towards the Giro d’Italia.

“Second place at the Driedaagse De Panne [first stage] is still a success to me, as I has been beaten by my team-mate,” Gatto told Italian media.

“My condition is a question mark. Usually my form was decreasing at this time of the year, following the classics. Instead, this season I feel much better to be honest.”

Gatto won the Dwars door Vlaanderen last season and a stage at the Giro d’Italia in 2011, but didn’t manage to claim a victory so far this year.

“An advantage of the Tour de Romandie is that is provides with a reliable test of a condition ahead of the Giro d’Italia, where I want to do well. I didn’t manage to claim a victory so far this year so I hope it will happen quickly. Winning always gives me something extra, what makes a difference and lets me to come up with an ace up my sleeve even on difficult days.”