Lidl-Trek signs Simone Consonni as team already boosts Jonathan Milan's leadout

Lidl-Trek have announced their fifth transfer and it's another big hitter. After the signing of Jonathan Milan, the American team has brought in track teammate and experienced leadout rider Simone Consonni to fill in an important role.

“The proposal from Lidl-Trek came at the ideal moment in my career. With this new adventure, I believe I have chosen the perfect team to express my full potential as a rider and as a team player," Consonni said in a press release. "I feel I can grow again, be more consistent, and become an important rider for the Team’s objectives. Working on myself to achieve this status will be my priority."

Having turned pro with UAE Team Emirates back in 2017, alongside another track compatriot Filippo Ganna, Consonni has learnt the ropes on world-class sprints whether it came down to sprinting for himself or leading out others. In 2020, in search of his own spot as a team leader, he moved to Cofidis where he won Paris-Chauny last year, and this season won a stage at the Saudi Tour. Not the most prolific sprinter, but the 28-year old has this season finished in the Top5 of sprints at Tirreno-Adriatico and the Giro d'Italia which saw many of the world's best sprinters

Now he takes on a new role, as he joins the team to become most likely Milan's main leadout man. “​​Lidl-Trek has really strong sprinters in the Team. I have a special relationship with Jonathan Milan, we know each other well and have shared incredible experiences wearing the Azzurra jersey on track," he tells. "Helping him to grow will be one of my tasks, something that motivates me a lot. But, apart from my feeling with Jonathan, I’m looking forward to giving a full contribution to the Team. I clearly remember the win of Mads Pedersen at the Tour de France this year."

A team that has received a boost in it's budget, it has been signing nothing but strong figures and Consonni's presence is part of a bigger plan. As the team carry a motivated Mads Pedersen, it will now have two headline sprinters which he could be helping to succeed throughout the year. “We are thrilled to welcome Simone to the Lidl-Trek family. He is a humble guy who is eager to contribute to the Team’s success and is just as happy if that success comes from a teammate crossing the line first," team manager Luca Guarcilena said.

"His role will be in the lead out, to protect our sprinters and put them in the perfect position to win. Simone has invaluable experience with Jonathan Milan from their time spent racing on the track together, a detail that will make their partnership in the sprints even better. We’re all looking forward to seeing them in action next year.”