Earlier this year we reported that
Mads Pedersen had signed
a lifetime contract extension with
Lidl-Trek. Now, per Ciro Scognamiglio of La
Gazzetta dello Sport, the team has secured two more long-term commitments:
Jonathan Milan and
Giulio Ciccone, both of whom are now tied to the team until
at least the end of 2029.
Although this news is yet to be confirmed, it appears
that the Lidl-Trek squad have secured the services of some of their most
important riders for the foreseeable future.
Ciccone, now 30, has been a key part of the Lidl-Trek setup
since 2019. Over that period, he has developed into one of the peloton’s top
climbers, winning the mountains classification at both the Tour de France and
the Giro d’Italia. In addition to those achievements, he has three Giro stage
victories on his palmarès. Ciccone’s consistency in the high mountains and
loyalty to the team made him a clear candidate for a long term deal.
Milan, 24, arrived from Bahrain Victorious ahead of the 2024
season and quickly established himself as Lidl-Trek’s most promising sprinter.
An Olympic gold medalist on the track, he has transitioned smoothly to road
racing, taking the points jersey at the Giro in both 2023 and 2024. His ability
to consistently deliver results in sprints has made him one of the team’s most
valuable riders.
His form in 2025 has been so convincing that he will lead
Lidl-Trek at the upcoming Tour de France, which begins in three days. Despite
Pedersen’s impressive performance at this year’s Giro, where he claimed four
stage wins and the points classification, he will not be part of the Tour
lineup. The team has decided to focus its efforts on Milan, suggesting a shift
in strategy and a clear investment in the younger rider’s future. The decision
signals Milan’s growing influence within the team and reinforces Lidl-Trek’s
long-term vision built around him.