EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - Diego Ulissi: "XDS Astana Team is the best team for a cyclist looking for new challenges"

Diego Ulissi is one of the most decorated cyclists in the peloton. Known for his excellent explosiveness in hard finishes, he has amassed a total of 48 career victories, including overall classifications in one-week races and stages at the Giro d'Italia.

This season, at the age of 35, he left his old team UAE Team Emirates - XRG after 15 years within the structure, and joined the ambitious project of XDS Astana Team on a two-year contract. Ulissi is one of 14 new additions to the team led by Vinokourov this year and wants to help save them from relegation.

In an exclusive interview with CyclingUpToDate and CiclismoAtual, the Italian spoke about the new team, not forgetting Matxin's structure. "Actually, I spent my whole career first with Lampre and then with UAE Team, and this team grew significantly and achieved great success. But after so many years together, I needed to try something new - I was looking for new motivation and new goals. I ended up getting an offer from another great team, XDS Astana Team, and I think it's the best team for a cyclist looking for new challenges in this sport. I'm very happy with my decision and glad to be part of this team."

The Giro d'Italia has undoubtedly been Ulissi's home ground, with 11 participations in the home race and eight stage wins. In 2024, he didn't take part in any grand tours, a decision made by his former team, which preferred to prioritize Tadej Pogacar's goal of winning the Giro:

"Last year I didn't take part in any grand tours and in recent years I've only competed in the Giro. It was a team decision, because the aim was to gain as many points as possible in the fight for the title of best team in the WorldTour. That's why the team decided that my season wouldn't include any grand tours, but lots of other races where I could score points for the team."

His new adventure with Astana began with a 7th place at Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana, a 4th in Muscat Classic and an 8th in a stage of Tour of Oman, before he abandoned this race. "I think the season started well. Unfortunately, I had to abandon the last stage of Tour of Oman due to illness and ended up not riding my bike for almost a week. I think that, if it hadn't been for that, I could have achieved a good result in the general classification in Oman. In any case, I started the season in good shape and, as the season is long, I hope things will only get better. The most important thing is to stay focused and keep working."

Ulissi also revealed his schedule for the first half of the season, which will include a long-awaited comeback: "The main goal this year is to get the best possible results in every race, because the team needs points. My illness has slightly altered my plans, but in general I should be back for the Trofeo Laigueglia, then the Strade Bianche and Milano-Torino After that, the Ardennes Classics and the Giro d'Italia."

Without a Grand Tour win since 2016, when the now retired Vincenzo Nibali won the aforementioned Giro, Italy has been struggling to find a new GC leader, but Ulissi believes that the tricolore nation will return to the top of world cycling:

"I think Italy is going through a certain period of transition in cycling, with a whole group of strong young cyclists who could emerge in the near future. However, there are already cyclists who have achieved remarkable success. One of them is Jonathan Milan - I consider him to be one of the strongest sprinters in the world."

He also spoke to us about a career goal, which could well be achieved this season, "Of course it would be great to reach a round number - 50 wins. Let's hope everything goes well and I can achieve that goal."