Daniel Oss will change from street racing to gravel racing in 2024, driving for a brand new Specialised gravel staff after his years driving alongside Peter Sagan.
The 36-year-old Italian has at all times described himself as ‘‘alternativo”, sharing his love for rock music and life by way of social media, and thought of his racing profession a journey and journey moderately than a disciplined occupation.
With Sagan additionally stepping away from street racing for a swansong in mountain biking, Oss has determined to observe his personal path. The duo rode collectively for 4 seasons at Bora-Hansgrohe and the previous two seasons at Workforce TotalEnergies.
He has already represented Italy on the European and World Gravel Championships, has glorious bike abilities on account of his years of driving the cobbled Classics, and rode the 2022 version of Unbound Gravel 100 with Sagan.
“Street biking is in search of the following massive factor and is targeted on younger riders, so I made a decision I’d both experience for a significant staff or strive one thing else,” Oss defined to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Gravel is an ideal alternative for me. I’m extremely excited, it’s a recent begin for me. Specialised will construct its first gravel staff round me,” Oss confirmed.
“My plan is to race ast a excessive stage, earn a spot within the Italian staff for the European and World Championships, have enjoyable too however be aggressive.
“Gravel assessments you differently, particularly if street racing appears to be limiting. We’re going to review a high-level race calendar that features the UCI sequence and all the things else.”
A 12 months in the past on the inaugural UCI Gravel World Championships, Oss went on a 150km assault with Gianni Vermeersch (Belgium) that resulted within the Belgian rider taking the rainbow jersey with a last solo effort within the last 10km and Oss taking the silver medal.
Oss has lately been driving round Zanzibar throughout his newest Simply Trip adventures however will quickly start to plan for 2024.
“It’s going to be enjoyable,” he mentioned, capturing the spirit of gravel.
“Gravel provides folks extra freedom, you might be your self with out focusing completely on efficiency. Gravel helps you keep away from the site visitors and discover new routes. It’s about discovery.”