“A guy who really helps the younger guys” - Luke Lamperti full of praise for Quick-Step's departing Julian Alaphillipe

In his debut year at World Tour level, 21-year-old American sprinter Luke Lamperti has left a strong impression. With no more races on his programme though, its time for reflection for the Soudal - Quick-Step wonderkid.

“Cycling is really simple is what I’ve learned. It’s the same basics. You can make it really complicated. If you do the simple things, you can be successful, not going crazy with too many of the small things,” Lamperti begins his reflection in conversation with Velo. “In the end, I think I’m happy to have put together quite a consistent season and be a decent level the whole year. That is actually what I’m proud of. Not just a one-off ride at the beginning of the season and one at the end.”

Although a sole victory was added to his palmares, a stage of the Czech Tour in July, the highlight of Lamperti's season will probably go down as his Grand Tour debut at the 2024 Giro d'Italia. “I really enjoyed it. I think it helped with Tim Merlier and Julian Alaphilippe winning stages,” assesses the American of his time in Italy, saving special praise for the latter of his teammates mentioned there, the soon to be departing Soudal - Quick-Step, Julian Alaphilippe. “A guy who really helps the younger guys and is really beneficial to me," Lamperti says of his Giro roommate.

Even in the high mountains of his Grand Tour debut Lamperti acquitted himself admirably. “They were quite all right. Not every day was the most enjoyable, but it was fun. I never had too bad of a moment, compared to what you can have,” Lamperti recalls. “I think for sure it helped me to progress as a rider already. Hopefully even more next season and the coming years.”

Looking forward though, Lamperti still feels he needs to find himself as a rider. “I don’t think I’ll be doing pure bunch sprints, I don’t know if I have the power for it,” he admits. “But at the same time, I’m happy to give them a go, like here [at Guangxi]. I think I’ll do more of the classics, harder races, maybe [ones with] a bit harder of a sprint.”

“But I think if I can make that next step to turning those into being more consistently on the podium and winning, that’s the step I would like to make,” Lamperti concludes. “Obviously, it’s always easier said than done.”