"A complete cyclist" – Talented Francesco Baruzzi signs with Visma Development Team for 2026

Italian teenager Francesco Baruzzi, one of the standout junior riders of the 2025 season, will join the Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development Team in 2026. The move, first reported by Daniel Benson, marks a significant leap for the 18-year-old, who currently rides for GS Aspiratori Otelli ASD. Baruzzi, who won the overall classification at the Giro d’Abruzzo and landed podium finishes in prestigious one-day races like Petite Liège and Trofeo Liberazione, is being described by Italian media as “a complete cyclist,” and a major talent for the future.

Bici.pro, who have followed Baruzzi closely throughout his breakout year, noted that his rise "is not even a big surprise," citing consistent performances that place him among the top three or four juniors in Italy this season. His jump in form has caught the attention of one of the world’s top WorldTour outfits, and Visma have moved quickly to add him to a growing list of promising signings for 2026.

"It's great recognition," said Baruzzi in comments to Bici.pro, reflecting on a season that almost didn’t happen. “I was starting from a very low base because 2024 was really terrible,” he explained. “Between the mononucleosis and the fracture of my right foot I was stopped for four months. I lost practically the whole season... I just thought about recovering, mentally first and foremost. I worked hard during the winter because I wanted to redeem myself right away.”

That determination paid off. Baruzzi’s versatility has become a talking point: he climbs well, can hold his own in long sprints, and is starting to explore time trials too. “I think I'm pretty complete, because I defend myself well in the mountains but also in the sprints, even in the long ones,” he said. “The big unknown is the time trials: I recently got the specific bike and I've started to work on it. I want to do well also in that discipline to complete myself.”

When asked about future ambitions though, Baruzzi didn’t hesitate: “I think [I’m a GC rider], although clearly I can't know which ones or how long. But for now I feel comfortable in the medium or short stages, because I know how to handle situations with cold blood.”

He also showed maturity when talking about the skills required to lead a race. “The important thing is to know how to read the race in each of its moments. After that, a lot will depend on my evolution; in a few years we'll see if I can aspire to do well in a Grand Tour.”

Despite the cycling success, balancing sport and studies remains a challenge for the young Italian. Baruzzi studies computer science at ITIS in Vobarno, and the mounting demands of a racing calendar are taking their toll in the classroom. “Delicate question...” he admitted.

“Until last year no, I was doing quite well, but this year I'm having a lot of difficulties, also because I don't receive facilities from the school. The competitions force me to miss days of school and the teachers are not happy about it, and even less so my mother, who rightly wants my studies to be the priority. She is just now starting to get used to the idea of having a cycling son; she would have preferred a less dangerous sport.”

Baruzzi’s signing is part of a broader reshuffling at Team Visma | Lease a Bike. In addition to his arrival, the Dutch squad has also confirmed the signings of Anton Schiffer, Timo Kielich (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R), Davide Piganzoli (Polti), Filippo Fiorelli (Green Project-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè), and Pietro Mattio. On the departure side, several major names are on their way out: Olav Kooij and Tiesj Benoot are heading to Decathlon AG2R, Dylan van Baarle is joining Soudal Quick-Step, Attila Valter moves to Bahrain-Victorious, and Thomas Gloag is set for Q36.5.