Monaco resident Fausto Masnada is one of the most appreciated Italian cyclists of his generation, who currently rides for MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort Team.
Fausto Masnada was born in Bergamo, Italy. In May 2019, Fausto was named in the start list for the 2019 Giro d’Italia, and went on to win stage 6 of the race. The same year he decided to relocate to the Principality of Monaco and enjoyed our city-state ever since.
When did you realize that cycling would become your professional path?
“I started cycling very early, at the age of six, in a small team from my village in Val Brembilla, in the province of Bergamo. At the beginning it was pure fun: the bike was a game, a way to be with friends and spend time outdoors. Until I was 16, cycling remained mainly this a passion lived lightly, without too much pressure or expectations.
Then, season after season, something changed. Results, more structured training, and competing at increasingly higher levels made me develop a new awareness. What began as a game started taking the form of a profession, requiring commitment, sacrifice, and more mature choices.
It was a gradual journey rather than a sudden realization. Over time, I began to understand that the sacrifices, the training, the daily dedication didn’t weigh on me the way they did on others. They felt like a natural part of my life.
The turning point came when I began competing in higher categories and realized I could keep up, that I could actually fight for results. That’s when I understood that cycling wasn’t just a dream, but a concrete possibility.
From that moment on, I started living this sport with greater awareness, turning passion into a real life project made of goals, discipline, and responsibility.”
In your career you’ve experienced intense moments, both positive and challenging. What has been the moment that marked you the most, for better or worse?
“There have definitely been very beautiful moments that stay with you and give meaning to all the sacrifices. One above all is the second place at the Giro di Lombardia, right behind Tadej Pogačar: a special day in a historic race that means so much for an Italian rider. It was the sign that I could compete at the highest level.
Another important moment, although lived differently, was winning the 2022 Vuelta a España with Remco Evenepoel. Being part of a winning team in a Grand Tour makes you truly understand what it means to work for a common goal, putting aside your ego for something greater.
But then there were also many difficulties. In recent years I’ve had to deal with several injuries that have compromised the path I had started. When your body doesn’t respond, everything becomes more complicated: consistency, confidence, and the ability to truly express your value.
Cycling is a sport made 90% of fatigue and suffering and only 10% of satisfaction. It may sound harsh, but it’s real. And precisely for that reason, those few positive moments become incredibly meaningful.
Over time, I have learned to accept difficult phases as part of the journey. They taught me patience, resilience, and made me a more aware athlete and person.”
Moving to Monaco
What led you to choose the Principality as the base for your life and sports career?
“I moved to Monaco in winter 2019, at the end of a very significant season marked also by a stage victory at the Giro d’Italia. It was a period of great change: I suddenly found myself in a new dimension, with new expectations and responsibilities, but I felt the need to make a choice that would allow me to grow without losing my inner balance.
Monaco turned out to be the ideal solution precisely for this balance. Here I can really focus on my work, without distractions, in an orderly, safe environment with great respect for athletes’ privacy. These aspects make a huge difference in a demanding sport like cycling.
From a sports perspective, Monaco offers excellent conditions: good climate, perfect roads for training, and quick access to different mountain routes. An added value is being able to train with other pro cyclists living here, such as Giulio Ciccone. Sharing training routines with people who have the same mentality is a constant stimulus.
Finally, being close to Nice Airport is a practical but fundamental factor. With races, camps, and travel, I fly a lot, and having such an easy connection simplifies everything, helping me manage energy and recovery better.
Today Monaco is a solid and conscious base: a place where I can take care of every detail of my preparation while also protecting my mental balance, which is just as important as physical shape.”
How does Monaco influence your physical and mental preparation compared to other places where you have lived or trained?
“Monaco has a very positive impact on both my physical and mental preparation. On the training side, having such a variety of routes within a few kilometers is a huge advantage: from the coast you can quickly reach the mountains, with significant elevation and quiet roads, perfect for all kinds of efforts.
Another key element is the presence of highly qualified professionals. Here I’ve found excellent specialists who helped me overcome my injuries and also improve my performance during good periods. Having this kind of support is essential for an athlete constantly working at the limit.
But the biggest difference compared to other places remains the mental aspect. Monaco is small and very efficient: I have everything I need within minutes by foot. This reduces stress, simplifies my days, and helps me focus energy only on what truly matters.
It’s an environment that pushes you to take care of every detail - not only in performance but also in general well‑being - making you a stronger athlete and a more balanced person.”
Monaco is home to many top‑level athletes. How important is it for you to live in such a stimulating environment?
“Living in a place like Monaco matters a lot. Being surrounded daily by high‑level athletes from different disciplines creates a natural, constant stimulus. Even without talking directly about sport, you breathe an atmosphere of discipline, attention to detail, and respect for each other’s work.
Here it’s normal to see athletes structuring their days around training, recovery, and performance. This makes everything easier because you feel part of a community that shares the same mindset. At the same time, Monaco remains very private: everyone lives their own path discreetly, without showing off, which helps you focus on yourself.
It’s also a positive stimulus during tough moments. Knowing that you live in a place where excellence is normal helps you keep your standards high while still respecting your own pace.”
Life and Training in Monaco
Can you describe a typical day in Monaco between training, recovery, and private life?
“I like waking up early. It’s a moment I feel is mine, especially because from my small terrace I have a beautiful sea view. It gives me calm and helps me start the day with the right mindset. After a rich breakfast, around 9 or 9:30, I usually meet Giulio Ciccone at the “bridge” of Parc Saint Roman to start training.
I don’t enjoy riding with large groups: I prefer a few people with whom I share the same approach. It helps me stay focused and train effectively. From there we head directly toward the routes planned for the day.
After returning home, recovery becomes the priority: body care, nutrition, and everything needed to assimilate the training. In the afternoon, I try to disconnect a bit from the bike. I often take a walk in the Larvotto area.
There are also video calls with the team about upcoming races and planning. In the evening I prepare the next day’s training program because I believe in the importance of knowing exactly what lies ahead.
What I love most is when my partner and our French bulldog can join me for a few days despite our busy schedules. Those are the moments when I truly enjoy Monaco outside of work - simple but essential moments that help me recharge mentally and physically.”
From a sporting point of view, which routes do you like most when training from Monaco?
“One of Monaco’s strengths is the variety of routes within a few kilometers. For this reason, I rarely cross into Italy: the Ligurian coast often has heavy traffic, especially in summer, and training safely is essential.
In summer, I especially enjoy the long, selective climbs in the French hinterland such as Col de Braus and Col de Turini. They are demanding and steady climbs that suit quality work and allow uninterrupted efforts.
In winter, I often head toward Nice and use the various sides of La Turbie. These are shorter climbs but perfect for precise training, especially when daylight is limited.
This variety keeps training stimulating and goal‑oriented, with no monotony.”
Cycling requires great sacrifice. What is the hardest aspect to manage in the daily life of a professional cyclist?
“The hardest aspect is definitely the continuity of effort - both physical and mental. Cycling isn’t only about races: it’s a daily routine requiring constant discipline and adaptability. There are no real breaks; even when you’re not racing, you’re still preparing for the next one.
Then there are the sacrifices: social life, relationships, spontaneity - everything takes second place to training, recovery, and planning.
For me, injuries have been particularly tough. When you are forced to stop and restart several times, the hardest part isn’t the physical pain but managing your mind.
Cycling is mostly fatigue and suffering, and you must accept it as such.”
And on the other hand, what brings you the most satisfaction and makes you think: “It’s truly worth it”?
“Satisfaction in cycling is rare, but that’s exactly why it’s so valuable. For me, the greatest feeling is expressing months of work in a single race day. When your legs respond, your mind is clear, and you compete at the level you know you’re capable of, every sacrifice suddenly makes sense.
There’s also a deeper satisfaction in knowing you gave everything, even after disappointment.
Then there’s the feeling of contributing to a team goal. When your work helps achieve something important, fatigue takes on a different meaning.
Those moments repay months of sacrifice and push you to start again with the same passion.”
How do you work on the mental aspect, especially under pressure or after disappointments?
“Over time I’ve learned that the mental component is as important as the physical one. Today I work a lot on self‑knowledge: understanding how I react helps me approach races with more clarity and less unnecessary tension.
Before big races, I stick to my routine. Everything important has already been done months earlier. I focus on the process rather than the result.
After disappointment, mental work becomes even more crucial. I analyze things calmly and distinguish what I can control from what I cannot. It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned that accepting difficult moments is part of growth.
Talking with the right people: staff, teammates, family - helps keep things in perspective.”
In modern cycling, preparation is increasingly scientific and technological. How important are data, analysis, and innovation today?
“Data, analysis, and technology are now integral to daily life. Apps and systems monitor everything: sleep, nutrition, recovery. Sometimes you feel like a robot because everything is recorded and analyzed.
This scientific approach revolutionized the sport. Data helps prevent issues, manage workload, and optimize performance.
Innovation also concerns equipment: bikes, clothing, every element is studied and tested because tiny advantages can change results.
Cycling is becoming like Formula 1: a millisecond can make the difference. But technology must serve the athlete; the key is balancing numbers with experience and personal feeling.”
Teamwork and Mentality in Sport
Looking at your career, how do you feel you’ve changed as an athlete and as a person?
“Compared to my beginnings, I feel I’ve changed most in awareness. When you’re young, you rely a lot on instinct. With experience, you learn to listen to yourself, manage energy smartly, and read situations better.
As a person, I’ve become more patient and less judgmental about myself. Difficult moments and injuries taught me to appreciate things more and not take anything for granted.
Now I give more value to balance outside of cycling, which paradoxically makes me more competitive.”
How important is teamwork in cycling, a sport often perceived as individual?
“Teamwork is fundamental. From the outside, cycling looks individual, but no result comes without the team. Every race is the product of collective work, sacrifice, and trust.
I’ve lived moments where my contribution wasn’t seen in my results but was crucial to the team’s success. Those are the moments that build a sense of belonging.
Cycling teaches you that you can go far on your own, but with others, you can go much further.”
Appreciating the Principality
You live in Monaco but maintain a strong bond with Italy. What relationship do you have with your country and your roots today?
“My connection with Italy and my origins remains very strong. My roots are in Val Brembilla, where I grew up as both a person and an athlete.
The hardest part of moving to Monaco was giving up daily life with my family and lifelong friends. Being away from loved ones is the biggest sacrifice this career requires.
I miss it, of course, but I know it’s part of this phase of my life. I’m sure that after my sports career I’ll be able to make up for lost time.”
When you’re not training or racing, how do you enjoy Monaco? Are there places or habits you’re particularly fond of?
“When training schedules allow, I enjoy some moments of social life. Monaco offers excellent restaurants, and every now and then a nice dinner helps me disconnect and enjoy the moment.
When friends visit, I like showing them the “iconic” side of Monaco: the Monte‑Carlo Casino, a walk at the port among yachts - it’s fun to share these places.
But Larvotto remains the area I’m most attached to. It’s where I relax: the sea, the walks, the slower rhythm.
In summer, I love late afternoons by the pool at my residence: reading something or enjoying the silence.”
Monaco is synonymous with quality of life but also discipline. Do you identify with this balance?
“Yes, very much. Monaco offers high quality of life but also encourages discipline, order, and respect for routines - elements essential for a professional cyclist.
It helps me manage my days well, remain focused, and balance work and recovery.
At the same time, when it’s time to disconnect, you can do so peacefully, and that balance supports long‑term performance.”
Future, Dreams and Advice
Looking to the future, what sporting goals motivate you most in the coming years?
“My main motivation is to consistently express my true value again. After difficult years with injuries, the goal is to regain physical stability.
Rather than focusing on one specific result, I think about the journey: feeling competitive again, arriving at races knowing I did everything right.
With experience, goals take on a different meaning - I now seek growth grounded in balance and mental presence.”
Is there a race or achievement you still dream of conquering?
“More than a specific race, I want to experience certain competitions again as a protagonist. Classics remain an important goal - the Giro di Lombardia has special meaning for me, and being competitive there again would be a great personal satisfaction.
I’d also like to be impactful in Grand Tours, either supporting the team or seizing personal chances.
But the biggest goal is regaining continuity, health, and confidence - everything else follows from that.”
What advice would you give a young cyclist dreaming of a professional career?
“My first advice is patience. Cycling requires time and gradual growth. Even phases where you feel stuck are valuable.
Teenage years are especially hard: your friends go out and enjoy their youth freely, while you’re in a bubble of training and sacrifice. Feeling “different” isn’t easy, but it’s part of the journey.
If the passion is real, sacrifices pay off - not immediately, but long‑term.
Another key is listening to your body: don’t rush, respect recovery, and don’t fear stopping when necessary.
Finally, surround yourself with the right people - coaches, staff, family - who support you without adding pressure.”
How important is it for you to surround yourself with trusted people - staff, family, friends - to maintain balance and peace of mind?
“It’s essential. You spend a lot of time under pressure and far from home, so the people you trust make a huge difference.
The staff plays a crucial role since you share daily work and important decisions with them. Trust is fundamental.
Family and friends keep you grounded. They remind you who you are beyond results.
Real balance comes from not feeling alone on your path.”
Beyond sport, how do you imagine your future after cycling? Do you see yourself still connected to this world or open to new paths?
“It’s a question every athlete asks eventually. For now, I’m still fully committed to cycling, but I’m starting to imagine what comes next.
My connection to this sport will always remain. It would feel natural to stay in the cycling world in some role.
But I’m also open to new paths. Cycling teaches discipline, stress management, long‑term planning: skills useful anywhere.
One thing is certain: once I stop racing, I want to recover the time lost with family and loved ones. I imagine a future made of balance, awareness, and freedom - the same values guiding me today.”
Today, Fausto Masnada embodies a mature vision of professional sport; one built not only on results, but on awareness, balance, and resilience. Between the demanding roads of the WorldTour and the quiet discipline of daily preparation in Monaco, he continues to shape his career with humility and determination.
In a sport where success is rare and sacrifice constant, Fausto’s journey reminds us that true performance is measured not only by victories, but by the ability to endure, evolve, and remain true to oneself; on and off the bike.