To be a prodigy or not?

Moreno Moser was hailed as the Italian prodigy in 2012, and it was certainly not just because of uncles Francesco and Aldo Moser.

In 2012 Moreno Moser won numerous races, and did well in countless others. Just twenty-one-years-old, how could he become anything but a success?

Well, he has been, at least to a certain extent. Last season he won the Strade Bianche, picked up a few top ten places, and placed third in the Tour’s Alpe d’Huez stage. Still, the young Italian is dissatisfied with his 2013 season.

"I think that everyone expects something this year above all after my first season went so well," Moser told Cycling Weekly. "They wanted to see that confirmed [in 2013]. I thought I'd do better and the others thought I'd do better, as well. One year of crisis is OK but not two."

"A few important wins would make my season a success," Moser added. "Even if I'm not winning but there fighting. It's always difficult to win in a classic anyway. I need to be up front in the important races, the classics in Belgium or Milan-San Remo. To win is difficult, that's clear, but it's important to race at the front, in the first five. That would be a success and it will also be important to help me understand where my career can go."

Moser’s season will commence at the Tour de San Luis, in Argentine, and he will then continue with the Dubai Tour, the Tour of Oman, Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico. After these he will focus on the classics.

One of the questions that remain on the Cannondale team is if Moser’s and Peter Sagan’s ambitions and race targets will either align or collide. The two riders possess many of the same abilities and skills, and collaboration in the classics are not necessarily a given.

"Up until this point it's been an advantage to have him [Peter Sagan] in the team. The only race I won [last season] probably came thanks to him," added Moser to Cycling Weekly. "It's not important whether or not I'm a domestique because if we are both going well it's an advantage. If I'm going well in San Remo, he can go free while the others eye me, or maybe the opposite. However, it's not only about San Remo, I have all of the Belgian classics ahead of me."

Moser acknowledges that he is still a young rider, and that it is not easy to meet expectations and requirements. Nonetheless, he does not mind the responsibility, and is clearly of the opinion that 2014 will be the year that confirms his potential.

"The expectations were high and it's not always easy to confirm those expectations. The people think that every year you are going to go better but that's not easy. 2014 will be the confirmation year," Moser concluded.