In the professional peloton, Marco Marcato was perhaps the most consistent rider in the bunch this year, achieving 22 top ten places this season. But the Italian wasn’t able to take a win this year despite his efforts. The Wanty-Groupe Gobert rider spoke with CyclingQuotes as he began training for 2016, where we discussed his season and what he hopes to change in 2016 to allow him to capitalise on his consistency.

Despite he pain of not winning, Marcato’s fabulous consistency coupled with Wanty Groupe-Gobert’s calendar giving him opportunities to shine has allowed him to really show himself as a rider.

“All in all, 2015 was a good year for me. After two average years with physical problems, I was able to express myself in the way I wanted to and to reach a high level. Definitely it missed the important victory…but I look forward with great confidence and ambition.”

Marcato says his great consistency comes from his desire to never use a race to train, and he always turns up with the goal of achieving the best result possible and never being just pack-fodder.

“I always had a consistent performance throughout the season, this is a characteristic of mine...maybe that is because I never start at the races to train or participate, but I always find myself ready to try to do the best possible result.”

Marcato’s best chance of winning came in the Druivenkoers-Overijse, where he and teammate Jerome Baugnies broke away and stayed away. Marcato says he wanted to win but a breakdown in communication meant Baugnies took the win and Marcato was second once more.

“In Overijse, honestly I thought that Baugnies would recognize all the work I had done during the season and because I came from two years of difficulty. A victory in a race, even if I say a little less surely, would be good for morale. There was a misunderstanding between us when I asked Baugnies if I could win. Unfortunately it was so…but I believe that one day everything will be paid back because hard work always pays.”

Marcato’s consistency and fast finish after hard races, showcased in 2012 when he produced an amazing sprint to deny Terpstra and Degenkolb in Paris-Tours, should have earned him a call-up to the Italy team for the Worlds, which last happened for him in 2012. Sadly, Marcato’s efforts to be in shape were not recognized and he wasn’t picked.

“I had hoped to be present at the Worlds. I did everything possible to be in condition for that period and I think I've proven I could go fast, but apparently not fast enough to be called up. Surely I'll try again the next year...”

For Marcato, Wanty-Groupe Gobert has the best calendar for him and allows him to return to the rider he was at Vaconsoleil. He is able to target hard races in France, Holland, Italy and, of course, Belgium, where the team is from. He has the full support of the team and this gives him confidence to always chase results in every race.

“At Wanty-Groupe Gobert, I found a group that believes in my ability and I hope even more so in 2016.”

He is staying with the team, while riders like Bjorn Leukemans are departing, which gives him even more races to target, like the Cobbled WorldTour races, which he has drawn a big target next to for next year.

“My goal is certainly to be well represented in the pavé classics and obviously have that consistency that distinguishes me in the bunch.”