"I’d like to see both of them at the start" - How Tom Pidcock and Giulio Ciccone fit into Pinarello Q36.5's early-season goal after blockbuster transfer
Cycling
Pinarello Q36.5 will be an entirely different beast in the 2027 season. After a transfer market open heart surgery of the squad's roster, several major riders have joined Tom Pidcock's team as the Pro Team seek to break into the big time next season.
One such arrival is Giulio Ciccone as the former winner of the King of the Mountains at both the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France joins on a three year deal. A marquee signing and one of the biggest of the window, he broke his Lidl-Trek contract to join on a three-year deal.
Ciccone's arrival sees him join Pidcock as the side's main protagonists in both Grand Tours and hill classics in 2027, adding to the British rider's arsenal in major races. Other arrivals such as Mauro Schmid, Andrew August, Pavel Bittner, Ethan Hayter, Davide Ballerini, Seb Berwick and other young prospects make the Swiss team a new power in the sport.
For sports director Gabriele Missaglia, two prongs of attack is better than one for the big races, noting that both Pidcock and Ciccone can find clear benefits in donning the same jersey. He thinks that the pressure of being sole leader is the biggest of those perks.
"I’d rather have two spirited riders than one," Missaglia told BiciPro. "In my view, both should see the positive side of things.
"For me, and for them, not having all the pressure on a sole rider can be an advantage. Sharing the responsibilities, even in the same race, is better, not just tactically but also in terms of managing the pressure."
Giulio Ciccone
Pidcock and Ciccone working together?
Missaglia projects that the pair can work in harmony, even suggesting that they can work for each other depending on the race in question. For stage races, plentiful options in spring means both can have the freedom to sink their teeth into some appetising challenges.
Noting one major goal the pair are expected to tackle together, it's a stomping ground of Pidcock - Milano Sanremo. Pidcock famously outlasted Mathieu van der Poel and held onto Tadej Pogacar's wheel in the monument this season. With the Slovenian's desparate attempts to make the race as hard as possible, only Pidcock could match him as he was narrowly beaten in a sprint.
In 2027, Pogacar is expected to not participate in the race. In theory, this makes Pidcock a natural favourite for the race. The sports director hopes that a plan of attack for the race can be ironed out in the team's training camp next month.
Milano Sanremo start for both riders
"We are a team, and we’ll always strive to work as a team in the best possible way. Perhaps one day we’ll ride in support of one of them, and another time in support of the other. We’ll figure it out. I don’t foresee any issues with them working together.
"I think they’ll race together on some occasions. Perhaps only Ciccone will ride Tirreno-Adriatico but I’d like to see both of them at the start of Milan-Sanremo. It depends on many factors. But everything is still a work in progress. We’ll start shaping that during our upcoming training camp in Spain."
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On Ciccone, the Italian's transfer marks a major move for Pinarello and signals that the 31-year-old is all-in. He hopes that he can settle in, with a core Italian staff important in helping him hit the ground running.
"Giulio is certainly motivated. If a rider breaks a multi-year contract with a team like Lidl-Trek, to join us, it's a sign he's up for the challenge.
"The team is all new for Giulio but there are Italian staff and he was welcomed with open arms. We all know he's open and a straight talker. That's the kind of people I like to work with."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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