Adriano Malori (1988, Movistar Team) ended his best season in Richmond where he won silver in the Worlds time trial,  just nine seconds from the rainbow jersey that was won by Vasil Kiryienka. The Italian has beaten Tony Martin and Fabian Cancellara in 2015 and now looks to the coming season with confidence. The goals are the time trials at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and Qatar World Championships, without forgetting the Tour de France.

The Italian took a step forward in 2015 with wins in San Luis, Tirreno-Adriatico, Sarthe and Poitou-Charentes before his podium in Richmond. "Yes, it was a very good year, especially with what I did at the World Championships. The silver medal was a reward because it has brought me closer to my big goal, the rainbow jersey," he told BiciCiclismo during the Media Day of Team Movistar in Pamplona. He won that elusive gold medal as a U23 rider in Varese in 2008 when he beat Patrick Gretsch and Cameron Meyer.

The 2015 Worlds also left him with a bitter aftertaste. "I am pleased with my but it leaves me with a bitter taste to be so close to the gold medal. It was not about 20 seconds. It was nine seconds that could have changed my life," he lamented. However, he has no regrets. "Kiryienka won and I lost. He went very well, I knew now to gauge my effort and save some energy for the last climb. You cannot say anything," he said.

A few days earlier, he had been on the podium to receive the bronze medal after the team time trial where Movistar was only beaten by BMC and Etixx-QuickStep. "It was a great satisfaction for the team and staff because we had tried to be on the podium for two years. And next year we will try to reach the top spot, especially now with Nelson (Oliveira)," he said.

The Worlds in Qatar is in his sights, "but first we have Rio”. "I will try to have fun, even if it’s a hard course. I will look for ways to handle the climbs and do something good," he said.

With Wiggins focused on the track and Cancellara on the verge of retirement, new names are emerging, including Rohan Dennis, Tom Dumoulin and himself. "Richmond was a very important change in this regard. We must not relax because we always get new riders. And I have no doubt that Tony Martin will again be the man to beat next year," he said.

Rio and Qatar are the goals and in July he does not want to miss the Tour de France where he wants to help Quintana to the top of the podium in Paris. "I want to be in the Tour. I will do everything to try to win. Nairo is certainly capable of winning at least one Tour de France," he said. 

Another challenge is the hour record. It is realistic but he knows that is not within his reach at the moment because an attempt has to be made on the track. "It takes a lot of practice. I would have to spend much time on the track to train the technical aspects and I do not have time for that now. In the future, maybe yes, but not now,” he concluded.