He is among the most long-standing riders in the peloton, but this year he's experiencing the excitement of a neo-professional. After being a 15-year flag bearer for the same sports team, Diego Ulissi has accepted the challenge launched by XDS-Astana Team and is ready to write a final chapter that he wants to be worthy of a career in which he has won at least one race in each season. A feat not achieved by everyone, indeed a fact that speaks volumes about how he has managed to keep pace with a cycling world that, as it has changed, seems like a different sport compared to when he was a junior world champion (he was world champion in 2006 and 2007, the last Italian to win the title until Lorenzo Mark Finn's success last year, ed).

The season just started in Mallorca is the 16th professional season for the 35-year-old from Livorno, father of three girls, who feels like a young boy when staying with young riders, both at home and in the group, even though "cycling-wise, I'm already an old man". It doesn't seem so, seeing him in action during the training camp in Spain, where we caught up with him to understand what motivates him to elbow his way among the new generation.

How are you doing Diego? 
"Fine, thanks. I joined my teammates at the January training camp a few days later because I was sick with the flu, but I've recovered well and I'm excited about this great new opportunity. I'm super motivated by the project Vinokurov proposed. In the team, I found many people I knew, and settling in was easy. Between Lampre and UAE, I always had my opportunities and enjoyed many satisfactions. I had in mind to end my career on my own terms, a great train passed by and I jumped on board."
Can even a dream job become monotonous? 
"No, at the start of each season I always found something that stimulated me. If I decided to continue, it's because I still feel good physically and mentally, I've felt confidence around me and I want to work every day to compete at the highest levels. The day I no longer feel like bearing the sacrifices that a cyclist's life imposes, I'll stop, without regrets. I like my new jersey, it's a change I wanted, even though I'll never forget the beautiful moments I spent with the team I was with until 2024. I've remained on excellent terms with everyone."
Which encounters have marked your career? 
"Giuseppe Saronni was the first who believed in me and ensured that, as long as Lampre existed, I wouldn't move from there. When I was younger, offers came from teams that were then at the top of world cycling, but I was in the ideal environment and those around me made sure I didn't leave. Orlando Maini was a great director and is a great friend, his advice is precious. In recent years, Gianetti, Matxin, and Agostini were important. Talking about teammates, there are many who remained in my heart. Michele Scarponi is at the top of the list. I rode my first Giro d'Italia in 2011 because he wanted me. In the first race I won, the Gran Premio di Prato in 2010, I beat him. The following year he joined Lampre and told me: 'I want you beside me, because if you beat me, you must definitely be good.' I must also mention Alessandro Petacchi and Manuele Mori, who is like a brother to me. As well as Righi, Spezialetti, and Matteo Bono."
In the new team, you found a lot of Italians. 
"Yes, it's nice, and in the end, even foreign riders integrate perfectly because the Italian group is strong and cohesive and allows everyone to integrate. I'm happy to have Stefano Zanini as my reference sports director. I already knew him, we'd liked each other for years, we found each other again and it was a great joy. We talk periodically, we compare notes, he's truly a great person. I also had an excellent impression of the new bike. It's very stiff and aerodynamic. X-LAB Bikes is a great company, they know how to make bicycles."

At home, more and more women are waiting for you, and you're now in an overwhelming minority. "In the gender race, I start defeated (joking, ed.). We tried for a boy, I assure you I gave my all in this mission, but he didn't arrive. Viola was born on December 22nd, and we enjoyed the holidays in Lugano, with grandparents from Tuscany joining us, who fortunately give us a great hand. Anna was born in early 2020 when I was stuck in Abu Dhabi due to covid, she loves playing with Barbies and I indulge her. Lia is approaching 13, plays tennis, and at her age suffers a bit more from my absence. Being away for long isn't easy, so beyond school and training, when I'm here we share as much time as possible. We enjoy being outdoors, in the garden, in the pool, or at the sea."

Would you be happy if your daughters practiced cycling?

"Honestly, no. I would be afraid of the many dangers that the road presents, which I experience every day. That said, they are and will always be free to do whatever they want with their lives; I would never obstruct them, but I wouldn't be at peace. Even Arianna, who has been by my side since I was a junior, I'm not sure how enthusiastic she would be. Unfortunately, road cycling is currently a dangerous sport."

What kind of husband are you?

"I invoke my right to remain silent (laughs, ed.). I try to make Ari happy and help her, who is obviously super busy now. We've been together forever and we've been through everything. We've had to face two late-stage miscarriages, my heart problems in 2020, but obstacles are part of the journey. We've tried to face them by staying united. Between husband and wife, there's always an opportunity to argue, it happens to all couples, but you have to look forward, and our first thought is always the girls."

What drives you to compete with people 10 years younger than you?

"Staying with young people keeps you young. I like listening to them and helping them, but also understanding from trainers what recent studies say to keep up with the times. I like challenging myself every time; I believe this is the key to still being performant, besides managing myself well. With the leveling towards the top that exists, obtaining results and being competitive becomes difficult, but this doesn't discourage me, quite the opposite. The story of relegations and promotions adds a bit of stress overall; contracts are now made with that perspective..."

How much has cycling changed since you turned professional in 2010?

"So much that it seems like a different sport. To remain at high levels, those needed to win races, you must adapt to new conditions. Preparation is the aspect that has changed the most (for a few months, Diego has been followed by Austrian trainer Helmut Dollinger, who arrived with him this year at XDS Astana Team, ed.). Much more threshold work is done to arrive at races prepared, whereas until recently, we would show up not at our peak to get into condition after a few races. In this sense, we've experienced a revolution in recent seasons. Training rhythms have completely changed, at least for me. I do many fewer medium-intensity works, preferring Z2 (moderate intensity) and threshold. Plus, nutrition has changed tremendously. Many more carbohydrates are consumed because to travel at higher regimes, you must consume them at will, otherwise you'll be left stranded."

And how have you changed from that junior who won two world titles?

"Looking at those photos, I realize how much time has passed. We were just kids. Inexperienced in many aspects and aware that we still had a lot of apprenticeship before approaching professionalism and being competitive. Now, the most valuable juniors are taken and placed in satellite teams. At 19, they're already racing professionally. They mature much faster, physically too, and are immediately ready to win."

What goals have you set for 2025?

"None in particular. I'll probably compete in the Ardennes Classics, Fleche and Liege especially, but in every race I'll start focused and aiming to give my maximum. I want to be as performant as possible, give my contribution to the team and return as a protagonist to the Giro d'Italia, which I missed a lot last year. The pink race is where I've expressed myself best (he won 8 stages, ed.). In 2024, UAE technicians decided not to line me up to chase points in other races, the season before had been a head-to-head until the last race with Jumbo Visma, and it was expected to be the same to conquer the world ranking top. Instead, a season dominated by UAE Emirates emerged, and maybe, in hindsight, I could have gone to the Giro d'Italia without worry. Tadej would have won it anyway."

I apologize if these questions make you feel almost retired, especially since we're the same age.

"Don't worry, I'm objective and cycling-wise, I'm old now. I'm incredibly happy with my career so far and want to close the last years well, continuing to be competitive and transmitting my experience to younger riders. The two-year contract signed with XDS Astana Team could be my last, who knows. I'm not thinking about what I'll do once I hang up the bike; for now, I remain focused on what I'm doing and continue pedaling with great enthusiasm. You have to accept the inexorable passing of time, the changes, and I know the finale of my career is approaching. The important thing is to have no regrets when looking back. To be frank, as long as time passes, it's fine. It's when it stops that it becomes complicated."

from tuttoBICI February issue