Manuele Boaro is Saxo Bank-SunGard’s youngest recruit for 2011, making the step up from Professional Continental Carmiooro-NGC, where he rode as a stagiere at the end of last year. The 23-year-old Italian from the Treviso province is looking forward to his first full season as a professional; as a complete newcomer to this level of cycling he is something of an unknown quantity, but his new team thinks he could be one for the future.
“My best result so far was winning the junior time trial national championship [in 2005] in Tortoreto Lido-Pescara,” he said. “I'm naturally proud of this result and I'm hoping to develop my skills on Saxo Bank-SunGard.”
Between 2007 and 2009, Boaro rode for Zalf-Desiree-Fior, the top Italian under-23 team, whose alumni include Maurizio Fondriest, Paolo Savoldelli, Ivan Basso, Kurt Asle Arvesen, Damiano Cunego and Alessandro Ballan. While there his results included the under-23 GP della Liberazione in 2007, the Trofeo ZSSDI in 2008, and the Memorial Davide Fardelli in 2009
In 2010 he joined Trevigiani Dynamon, winning the Trofeo Citta di Brescia, before joining Carmiooro-NGC for the end of the season.
Joining Saxo Bank-SunGard is a real step up for the 23-year-old and he looks forward to the corresponding step up in racing, with the emphasis very much on the big races in Italy.
“In the 2011 season I'd like to do the Milano-Sanremo as it is surely one of my favourite classics,” he said, “and to be able to complete the Giro d’Italia would be really special for me as Italian. I've always watched these two races on television and have been sorry not to actually be there; with Saxo Bank-SunGard, there might be a chance.”
Having joined uo with his new team, Boaro has taken delivery of all his 2011 equipment; the Italian is equally impressed.
“My new Specialized bike is fantastic,” he enthused. “It's simply the most beautiful bike I ever had in my career. I'm really happy to be able to train and race with this bike. I think the design is cool; it's light and great to ride.
“The team changed the colours of the jersey this year and I like every detail,” he added. “It's unique and I cannot wait to wear this prestigious Saxo Bank-SunGard jersey in my professional debut”
Joining a ProTeam for the first time meant that Boaro had his first ever pre-season camp; while it was different from the previous Riis Cycling survival camps, it was still something new to the 23-year-old.
“I think that our stay on Fuerteventura was a very nice experience being my first experience as a professional,” he said. “As a new rider, it was a great way of being integrated and the older teammates and staff were very kind and open. Besides from that, I had the opportunity to ride the new bike and to run over the season program with the sports directors.
“This is my first experience in the world of professional cycling but from what I've noticed Saxo Bank-SunGard has an excellent organization,” he concluded, “the attention to details is unique and the team spirit quite extraordinary.”