"A stage win in a big race, like the Giro d’Italia" the main goal for Natnael Tesfatsion on debut World Tour season

Natnael Tesfatsion is joining Trek - Segafredo this coming season and he has already been on the road with his new teammates near Alicante this part week. It will be a change of pace for a rider who is expected of great things, who has thrived in the hilly and mountainous races this year.

“He’s part of an important generation of African riders including guys like Ghebre (Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier, ed.) who are very gifted and who could, in soon, start making the kinds of massive inroads that we saw the South Americans do in previous decades. And in fact, with other African riders that is already happening," team manager Luca Guarcilena told Cyclingnews. 

The Eritrean was part of the Drone Hopper - Androni Giocattoli this season, where he won the Tour du Rwanda and a stage at the Adriatica Ionica. The Italian team could not keep it's leaders, eventually falling down to continental level. Tesfatsion however has moved onto the World Tour.

"Also, it had been my dream for many years to race with Trek, because when I was a kid I had a Trek bike. So I’ve always liked them," he shared. Now he will join his compatriot Ghebreigzabhier in the American team, and the growth of East African riders including Biniam Girmay sees many more eyes on the 23-year old.

"A good result next year would be a stage win in a big race, like the Giro d’Italia, which I’ve already finished twice, or a hard Classic. Or maybe one day I can do something in the World Championships if they have a route that suits climbers," he concluded.