How does one become a good sports director? This was the first question we asked Manuele Boaro when we climbed into the team car of Ukyo. We didn't yet know that this would be the beginning of a true adventure, a small journey that was literally gifted to us by the team led by Alberto Volpi, who made the team car, mechanic, masseurs, and especially the company of a great athlete who has now switched sides available to us.

The Japanese formation is a kind of small Italian enclave at the Tour of Oman, with part of the staff and athletes being local. At every start, like a kind of ritual, Manuele Boaro approaches each of them to give final advice. His riders need only a glance to receive confidence, he marks strategic points on the note stuck to the bicycle, then gives a small pat on the shoulder for good luck. It's strange to think that until less than a year and a half ago, he was on the other side, a professional since 2011 who chose to say goodbye to pedaled cycling decisively, sincerely, without the option of turning back. It was October 2023, and on the occasion of the Veneto Classic, which not by chance ended near his Bassano Del Grappa, he had presented himself with his two daughters for a grand farewell. While he tells us all this, we read the emotion in his eyes, that strong and vivid memory that completely changed his life. He didn't know what the next chapter would be, but then came Volpi's call that changed everything. The Japanese team was forming, they needed another sports director, Manuele had the right spirit to do it, so why not try? Within a handful of days, his adventure began.

Transitioning from rider to sports director is not simple; the environment is the same, but the perspective changes. A sports director has responsibility for everything, for the riders, the staff, must calibrate everything, but above all works double, if not triple. Since 2018, Boaro has moved with his company and daughters to San Marino, being one of the first riders to do so, an important life choice that allowed him to integrate into a small community where sport is experienced in a comprehensive way. His work continues outside of races, Manuele manages, checks the equipment, provides riders with what they need, but above all, he confronts them daily, gives advice, ensures they are well. Then, when race time arrives, everything multiplies: the route is studied perfectly with the help of Veloview, he prepares a summary sheet for the riders to stick on their bike with climbs and supply points, if needed he even helps masseurs prepare bottles, wash refrigerators, never holding back. His first race as a sports director was the Alula Tour last year alongside Volpi, then Oman all by himself, a big leap, but one that Manuele faced with skill, falling in love with his work and finding his new place.

Meanwhile, the stage has started, there's traffic in the back of the group, Manuele moves skillfully, but above all giving the impression that it comes more than naturally to him. In every move, in every decision, he carries with him the experience accumulated over years as a professional cyclist, a luxury domestique always willing to work hard, to go on the attack and bring supplies for the team leaders. In the slalom between dropped riders and team cars, he greets everyone; for many, it's still difficult to think of him no longer in the saddle, but driving a car. Giacomo Nizzolo calls him with a quip, when the Brianza rider won the European Championship, Boaro was also there, one of his many signatures in champions' successes. In 2015 he won the Giro d'Italia with Contador, in 2017 he finished third with Nibali, of each of these experiences he keeps a particular memory. Among the many he has met, he cites Bjarne Riis multiple times; it was the Danish sports director who wanted him in Saxo Bank, and from there his adventure in professional cycling officially began. Riis taught him how to be a true rider, but above all what respect means. For Manuele, this is the most important value, respect inside and outside the race, and it's what he tries to teach his riders.

Listening to Boaro's stories is like taking a leap into the cycling of magic, that of great veterans like Boonen and Cancellara and of captains who would take their younger domestiques under their arm and introduce them to everyone else. Little of this cycling remains, Manuele tries to keep it alive by bringing to his riders everything he has experienced, advising them, sending them in the right direction. "I believe the most important thing is respect. I teach my riders to always thank even the opposing team cars when they receive a favor. One must be cordial, greet other athletes, other teams, even judges and staff, it's a sign of courtesy, for me this is how cycling should be lived. It has always come naturally to me, and I believe that everything one does is eventually repaid," Manuele tells us as the riders whiz past. His driving position seems like that of a starship commander: on one side race radio, in his ear the radio connected to the riders, beside a tablet connected to Veloview to keep everything under control at all times.

Various athletes alternate at the team car, some taking water, some maltodextrins, others simply approaching to hear a word of comfort in a difficult moment. Manuele has one for each, spurring his riders with respect, advising them what he would do in their place, reminding them not to give up. "Things don't always go the right way, maybe a rider doesn't get into a breakaway, doesn't follow the plans, these things happen and you must learn from them. It's not worth shouting during the race, there must be respect for the riders. For criticism and considerations, there will be time to do so at dinner, with a clear mind, trying to understand what went wrong and learn from one's mistakes," Manuele tells us, confirming once again his lucid view of the cycling world and the importance of respecting others.

It's impossible to exactly describe what happens in the Ukyo team car, a kind of parallel small world where, once entered, one no longer wants to leave. The precision of the Japanese and the Italian spirit create a perfect mechanism where the riders feel good and are spurred to give their best. Behind us, mechanic Sakai watches guardedly and silently; a glance is enough for him to understand what Manuele needs, automatically passing bottles, looking for ice, checking wheels, everything is in its place. It's a journey within a journey that moves at twice the speed of the race itself, in the space and time of a wonderful sport conducted by someone who truly loves it. Yet there is one thing that strikes us fully: his desire to do, his gentle way of relating to others and to the race. One day he would like to create a good group of young Italians, work for them, become a reference team, a beautiful dream that Italian cycling would greatly need.

Our adventure ends at the second supply point, we are entrusted to the care of Fabio and Yuika, the two masseurs and press officer Davide who coordinated everything. Meanwhile, the race continues, we head to the finish line ahead of everyone. Despite our long chat, we cannot give you the answer to the initial question; there is no perfect recipe for becoming a good sports director, but after this adventure, there is something we have understood. Manuele Boaro puts passion into everything he does, listens to his riders, gives advice, but above all teaches respect, the most important value of all.