Matthew Riccitello leaves Israel - Premier Tech for Decathlon: "This is the right environment"

Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team has added another promising name to its roster ahead of 2026, securing the signing of American climber Matthew Riccitello. The 22-year-old arrives from Israel – Premier Tech after a breakthrough Vuelta a España, where he finished fifth overall and claimed the white jersey on the slopes of the Bola del Mundo. His performances in the mountains confirmed him as one of the most exciting young riders on the market.

Riccitello himself expressed his enthusiasm for the next chapter in his career. "I am very excited about joining DECATHLON in 2026. I admire the ambition and progression of the team in recent years. I want to continue to progress as a rider in stage races and grand tours. I am convinced that this team will push me to reach my full potential. I am motivated to make the most of this new chapter and confident that this is the right environment to continue to grow, both as a rider and as a person."

Team manager Sébastian Joly explained why the French squad has been targeting him for several seasons. "Matthew Riccitello's profile has interested us for several seasons. He is an excellent climber, he proved it again in the Vuelta with a regularity during three weeks that allowed him to conquer a beautiful white jersey and a fifth position in the general classification. We believe he has a good margin of progression. Matthew comes to reinforce the group for the stage races and the general classifications, he is a real asset for the team. After having strengthened our sprint block, we are now reinforcing our mountain block."

Riccitello’s career already shows a steady progression. In 2025 he claimed overall victory at the Sibiu Cycling Tour, with one stage win and another podium finish, before shining again at the Vuelta with fifth overall and sixth on a stage. The year before, he impressed at the Tour de Suisse with fifth in the general classification, a third place in one stage and two fourths, and later another sixth overall at the Vuelta. Back in 2023 he won a stage at the Tour de l’Avenir and finished fourth overall, adding eighth in the Vuelta a San Juan Internacional. His first breakthrough came in 2022, when he won the general classification of the Istarsko Proljeće – Istrian Spring Trophy.