Outside the team bus at the Intermarché Wanty-Gobert Materio, the starting point for the second stage of Ruta del Sol, a scene was, in some ways, most predictable. With 30 minutes to go, the sound of race shoes suddenly rang out on the bus steps, and the seven participating riders emerged into the sunshine, straddled their bikes, and dashed out to sign on.

So far, so normal. But for Domenico Pozzovivo, one of the seven, participating in this race was the best solution to his predicament last December when his previous organization, Cubeca, announced its dissolution.

He then signed a last-minute deal with Belgium's Intermarque Wanty-Gobert Materiau and competed in his first Ruta del Sol.

And now, as Pozzovivo told Cycling News, the process of adaptation and integration into a new team has begun. Much later than Pozzovivo would like, but sooner or later.

"The conditions are good, it's more about getting used to the new materials and equipment," Pozzovivo said.

"I'm having a bit of a positioning problem," he says. The lower vertebrae are always a sensitive area after various crashes, "and it will take some time to work that out."

"But I'm very determined to do my best here and throughout the whole race."

Pozzovivo's words were not all talk. Despite an eighth-place finish on stage 2 and a late crash on stage 3, he is now in contention for the overall in Andalusia, in ninth place, just a few seconds behind fellow countryman and race leader Alessandro Covi (UAE Team Emirates).

Team officials told Cycling News that the Italian hit one knee in the crash, but that he is basically fine to continue competing.

As for what lies ahead, he is a little unsure whether he will compete in Tirreno-Adriatico, but the Laiglia Trophy is definitely on his calendar, as are the Giro di Sicilia, two Belgian Ardennes Classics, and the Giro d'Italia. I love it."

While he is relieved that his career did not end in an unwanted way, he agrees that he had a stressful winter with "no time to relax." Usually I use December to get used to new gear and recover, but this time I'm going to work on that throughout the first half of the season."

In any case, for him, 2022 means the challenge of first seeing what he can do for himself and then getting back into winning condition to help his teammates or help himself. He says once and for all, "I want to be competitive, not just finish races."

Pozzovivo says that racing in Wantigover is the ideal platform for him. Wantigover is a relatively new team on the WorldTour, and while they have had a very strong early season, they are still finding their footing.

"Such a good start is great for everyone's morale and very encouraging. It's growing very fast, but there's still a very warm atmosphere." On top of that, the Belgian is very familiar with the cycling culture. He has yet to learn a Flemish word from his new teammates.

"It was a very late choice, but I think it was the right one."