Let’s go back in time. You became a manager in 1997. We all know that cycling has changed a lot since then, but how has it changed behind the scenes?

I can confirm that, since I started in the business, things have totally changed. The first big change was in 2005, when the UCI decided to create the World Tour. Another big change was after 2010, when the mentality of the riders began to change – they became more serious, and we have fewer problems with doping. [The most recent] big change was after the pandemic, because the new generation started to get great results since their youth, and the teams started to sign the riders not for 1/2 years, but for 4/5/6 years, guaranteeing more money to the riders for a longer time. It’s a totally different sport from cycling in 1997.

In a 2008 interview, you said “I only deal with people who are serious about what they do”. Is there any unserious business in cycling?

Cycling is a transparent sport and 90% of the people work in the right way.

Last winter, the move of Cian Uijtdebroeks to Team Visma | Lease a Bike was one of the most challenging of your career. How did you reconcile the interests of all parties to reach an agreement?

Cian was not happy with his team in 2023, so he wanted to change, and I had to work to find a solution between the three parties. Because my priority is only one: that the rider is happy. It wasn’t easy, but in the end, I found a solution that made all three parties happy. All three signed the documents to move Cian from Bora to Visma. I can’t add more comments (laugh).

Uijtdebroeks already comes from a newer generation compared to Pogačar’s. Do you believe that the next generations will be able to challenge his and Vingegaard’s domain in the grand tours?

Yes, for sure. I don’t know when, if in 2025, 2026, or 2027, but you can’t stop time. When the time comes, the new generation will come. It’s the same story for the 3 big stars in tennis – Nadal, Djokovic and Federer – as the new generation – Alcaraz and Sinner – has come and won the Grand Slam. I don’t know when, because the current generation – Pogačar, Van Der Poel, Vingegaard, Van Aert and Remco – is very strong, but surely the new generation – Cian Uijtdebroeks, Isaac Del Toro, Antonio Tiberi, Albert Philipsen and Léo Bisiaux – will win the greatest races in the world.

Speaking of Italy in particular, your country has been missing a rider capable of winning GCs since Nibali retired. Do you think that rider has already arrived?

Lately in Italy, everyone sees that there are two big talents who can win GCs in the future: one is Antonio Tiberi, the other is Giulio Pellizzari. They are the future of Italy.

What do you say to convince a rider to join A&J All Sports? Then, within the agency, how often do you interact with the riders?

I only say that we are serious people, we have experience, and I can promise only one thing: that me and all the people who work in A&J All Sports are available to solve a rider’s problem 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With some riders, we have interactions every day, for some riders every week, for some riders every two weeks. Each rider is different. Some riders like to have interaction all the time, but others prefer to stay calm. You need to understand what relationship the riders want; you are not the same for each rider.

How do you find the relationship that each rider wants?

You must understand, with your experience, the characters of the riders. There are some riders that like to stay on the phone all the time, and others who forget the phone in a corner of the house and only take it every three days (laugh). Every rider is a different story.

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement?

In the end, I don’t lose too much time to see my past; I prefer to see my future. I don’t think about my best achievements from the past. I have one dream: to win the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia with 5 different riders. We won the Giro 6 times with 5 different riders: Simone, Cunego, Di Luca, Nibali, and Pogačar. We won the Tour with ‘only’ 3 different riders. My goal is to win the Tour with 2 more different riders.

In 2013, you had a car accident that left you in critical condition. Then in 2021, your brother Johnny suffered a car accident as well. How do you keep going during those difficult moments?

We are lucky that we, as the founders of our agency, are not alone, but are two people. When I was in hospital for many months, he [Johnny] worked hard, and when he was in the hospital for many months, I worked hard. I am happy that the riders understand these situations, and in those times don’t ask us too much of us. We have created a structure where the other guys working with us can support them.

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from being an agent?

That if you work well and you are honest with your riders, these riders bring other riders to you. The best advertising to increase your portfolio is to work hard and well.

Final question: Do you follow Portuguese riders?

Yes, but we must be realistic. The agency of João [CORSO Sports Marketing] works well, then it’s normal that the Portuguese riders enjoy being with him. Like I said, one rider brings another, and all Portuguese riders end up with him. As for João it’s difficult to take an Italian rider, for me it’s difficult to take a Portuguese rider. In the end, João is happy, we are happy, and that’s what matters.

We thank Alex Carera and A&J All Sports for their availability to give us this interview, and we wish them a good continuation of their important work in cycling!