In racing, things start coming up quicker, and the slipstream is stronger, so even judging in the mirrors how quick the cars are approaching isn't always easy.

It's a complex sport; you're always learning.

There have been times in my career when people thought I was a pushover, especially as they saw me as this smiley guy.

I had a very successful 2014, but I have got to keep aiming for bigger and better things, so the world title is my goal.

As an athlete, my first Olympic experience was Sydney 2000. I remember seeing people getting medals, and I thought, 'Wow, that's where I want to be.'

I remember as a kid watching one of the Olympic games, and I was cheering for a big track athlete. He was the favorite to win, and he lost. I realized in that moment the pain he felt was so much greater than the pain that those who never thought they were going to win would have felt had they lost.

My childhood ambition was to be an Olympic swimmer like my aunt, but that died a quick death when I discovered other sports. I swam very competitively till I was 15, then I swam for fun until I was 18. But athletics remain a very big part of my life.

Italian football's different to Spanish and German, but it's only different and not inferior.