After a few individual medals won at the junior level of the World and European Championships, he focussed his energy mainly on relays, in which he always managed to give an important contribution. Indeed, with the 4x100 and the 4x200 m freestyle, he stood on the podium of the main international events, including the short course pool World championships, the World championships, the European Championships and the Universiade. The last victory he achieved, the world championship bronze at Kazan, was also celebrated with particular enthusiasm by the Tuscan coastal town of Principina a Mare, where Michele used to spend his summer holidays when he was very young. The only podium he has yet to stand on is the Olympic one - in Rio, he will try to conquer it together with his Italian team mates.