Stefano Oldani and Filippo Conca have had a strong start to the season for Lotto Soudal. Oldani played a key role in Tim Wellens’ overall victory at the Etoile de Bessèges, while Conca secured the mountain jersey in his first race as a pro. Oldani expressed his confidence in his performance, despite a less than ideal winter preparation.
Oldani was delighted with his 8th place finish at the Tour de la Provence, in which he had initially planned to support Philippe Gilbert in the sprint. However, with Gilbert caught in a crash, Oldani took the opportunity to go for it himself. He said, “I have to admit that sprinting after such a climb was a first for me. I am hungry for more.”
Oldani, who joined Lotto Soudal last year, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s focus on young riders. He remarked, “The past seasons have shown that a lot of young guys are immediately up there, performing at the highest level. In my opinion, Lotto Soudal made the right choice to sign so many youngsters.”
Oldani also spoke highly of his relationship with teammate Philippe Gilbert, saying, “My bond with Philippe Gilbert is a special one and we really understand each other. He is a real champion, not only on the bike, but also as a person.”
Looking ahead, Oldani’s first goal for the season is to support Gilbert at Milan-Sanremo. He also has his sights set on performing well at the Giro d’Italia, where he achieved top ten finishes twice last year. Oldani believes he can do even better this year, particularly in uphill sprints.
