Meet Massimo Cigana

April 3, 2008

Massimo Cigana recently burst onto the triathlon scene with a win at Laguna Phuket, but Massimo is no stranger to racing at the professional level. He raced on the Mercatone Uno team with Marco Pantani, but a terrible crash almost ended his life.

ST: Massimo, can you share your cycling background with our readers?

Massimo: I was dreaming to become a great cyclist and when my dream was coming true in 2001, I almost broke my back in a terrible crash during the Bicicleta Basca, a pro race in Spain. Before that I won about 40 races as an Elite amateur. The most important result was when I placed second in the Giro d’Italia for Amateurs in 98 just behind Danilo Diluca. I turned pro in 2000 and I raced for Mercatone Uno for four years. I learned how to swim basically from scratch in 2004, and I would say that I can take advantage of my cycling background to save energy in riding and kick butts in the run.

ST: You just raced 70.3 California, how did it go for you?

Massimo: Unfortunately I didn't perform up to my expectations. I had a too rich breakfast in the morning and I wasn't used to the cold water of the Ocean, so my swim was really bad. I left T1 9 mins behind the leaders and i understood there that my race was over. My stomach was kind of upset in the bike and I couldn't take any food so I continued to under perform. I had a quick stop at the beginning of the run and finally I felt decent and finished an effortless run which granted me a disappointing 12th place. The only good news is that I qualified for Clearwater so at least I am in both World Championships.

ST: What else is on schedule for you for 2008?

Massimo: IM Arizona, IM St Croix 70.3, IM Lake Placid, IM Hawaii, IM Clearwater 70.3, and of course Laguna Phuket

ST: You just came back from a 3 week training camp in Namibia with the Italian national team. Can you tell us about it?

Massimo: It was a good experience and I am trying to find out if that kind of training could benefit me. I will find it out between the next two races. If I’ll think that altitude training benefits me, I will do it again before Hawaii.

ST: Can you talk about your training?

Massimo: Since I started as a full time professional triathlete just a couple of months ago I don’t have a typical training weekly routine yet. I swim a lot: 6 times a week training 4 -4.5 kilometers a session.

ST: How were you fit to your bike? Did anyone help you, or did you find the position?

Massimo: I just recently had a fitting session in the wind tunnel here in San Diego with the product manager of Hed wheels. But I normally take care of the fitting of my bike by myself since I have been a cyclist for almost 20 years and I think to be experienced enough.

ST: Do you have an off-season at all, and if so, what do you do during that time?

Massimo: I stopped to work as a full time lifeguard at the beginning of last October and I never really had any off-season.

ST: What or who inspired you to race triathlons?

Massimo: I started swimming as a rehab activity to recover from a very serious injury which basically stopped my career of professional cyclist. My swimming instructor Stefano Rossi inspired me to give a try to race in local triathlons events.

ST: What is your favorite race and why?

Massimo: Laguna Phuket because I like Thailand and because it was the most important victory of my short triathlon career so far.

ST: What is going on for you in terms of sponsorships?

Massimo: I was very lucky to meet Marco Bonelli who is the owner of Max Lelli a new Italian bicycle brand. He is an avid triathlete himself and he is living in the US. He has offered me some serious advice and help so I could become a full time pro.

ST: Do you follow any other sports?

Massimo: Cycling more than anything else, but also basketball, Formula One, Motor Sports etc

ST: What is your favorite and least favorite food?

Massimo: Pizza, barbecue and meat. I hate cinnamon

ST: Do you have a favorite band or artist?

Massimo: U2, Pink Floyd

ST: What is the last book you read?

Massimo: A book on the real story of Marco Pantani my captain at Mercatone Uno

ST: Where do you think you’ll be in 5 years?

Massimo: Married and a famous accomplished triathlete

ST: Is there anything else we should know about you?

Massimo: I never quite made it to the top of cycling, life is now offering me a second chance in triathlon.