As a five year old he cut his teeth racing in the “Student" Category. It was only a few years later that he asked his parents to drive him to the base of the Stelvio (pictured below), the famous climb on which many a Giro d’Italia have been decided so he could ride it. He did not disappoint, hours later cresting the 2757 meter summit’s 25 kilometer, 8% grade with a look of satisfaction.