After a 2021 season that ended with three wins and a near miss in Paris-Roubaix, there was every reason for optimism as Gianni Moscon led his new team into 2022. However, the COVID-19 seizure at the beginning of the season spiraled up into a year of initially unexplained fatigue and underperformance, a campaign that was quickly forgotten.

"I couldn't train, I was just exhausted. Every little effort made me more exhausted instead of improving," Moscon told Cycling News on the sidelines of the final stage of the Tour de Langkawi.

The year began with COVID-19 and then an attack of bronchitis, but the new Astana Kazakstan rider, who moved from Ineos Grenadier after six seasons of often supporting roles, finally made his season at Omloop Het Newsblad in late February He made his debut.

In March, instead of finding his way to the podium, Moscon's result sheet was filled with retirements. After his sixth retirement of the season at the Tour of Flanders, Moscon took two months off from racing and missed Paris-Roubaix.

However, there were some positive signs for the 28-year-old when he returned at the Tour de Suisse in June. After a brutal start to the season, Moscon went into the Tour de France hoping that the worst was behind him.

But when he finished last on the cobbled fifth stage of the Tour, nearly 30 minutes behind the winner, it was clear that all was not well. After running near the back of the pack for two more days, the team attributed the long COVID to the race and Moscon was forced to take another two months off from racing

.

This rest at least helped to pinpoint the cause of his problems.

"I'm looking forward to next season because I haven't been myself all season," Moscon said.

"I'm looking forward to next season," Moscon said.

That return to "normal" came when it was discovered that Moscon also had a bacterial infection in his blood in the aftermath of COVID-19. The revelation of the truth about the problem that had plagued Moscon throughout the season was a great relief to Moscon.

"Feeling is the most important thing in this sport. And when your body responds well to training and workload, you feel good again. I'm really happy."

The change since his return was evident: in early October, he returned to the top 20 in Italy's Coppa Bernocchi and Gran Piemonte before flying to Malaysia for the Tour de Langkawi.

As the race progressed, he steadily improved, instead of regressing as he had in the Tour de France.

"I came here with only one month of training," Moscon said.

"I'm here after only one month of training," Moscon said. It's a good way to get back into the racing program. Now I'm taking some time off for the winter and looking forward to the next season."