"Many things are changing both for the staff and riders" - Italy's Davide Ballerini talks new beginnings for XDS Astana Team in 2025

The XDS Astana Team begins a new chapter this season, rebranded and determined to salvage their UCI World Tour card after a challenging 2024. While last season offered little to celebrate beyond Mark Cavendish breaking the Tour de France stage win record, the team hopes to turn things around in 2025.

Davide Ballerini, the 30-year-old Italian who joined the team last year, is eager to contribute to a stronger season after a difficult 2024 marred by a knee injury. “In a few days, on January 6th,” says Ballerini to bici.PRO, “we will leave with the team for Calpe, it will be the second retreat of the season. The first was in December, we were there for about fifteen days and it went well. There were definitely better temperatures than at home, even if it wasn't very hot.”

Ballerini acknowledges the significant changes happening within the team. “Many things are changing,” he continues, “both for the staff and the riders. It won't be easy to find the right rhythm right away, but we're working to do so. Everyone has to do their part, and I'm ready to get back into the game after a difficult 2024. The knee problem I had last winter is behind me, even if I still have to keep it under control.”

Reflecting on the impact of his injury, Ballerini shares the challenges he faced. “The problem has been fixed, obviously the pain did not disappear from one moment to the next but it went away gradually. The real challenge was on a mental level because a chronic pain then you end up feeling it almost always, even when it is slowly going away. These days I am always under observation to combat it.”

Ballerini also spoke about the team’s new addition, Alberto Bettiol, highlighting the value he brings. “We were together in Belgium at the beginning of December to do some tests with the various materials. Bettiol's arrival is an important addition, like those of other riders. It doesn't seem like it but having three or four more teammates is a great help. Maybe they aren't big names like Van Der Poel or Van Aert, but being so many allows us to always be present.”