Cristian Scaroni’s 2024 season hinted at his potential, as he was
regularly found in the top ten and proved himself to be one of the most
aggressive riders in the Giro d’Italia until fading in the final week. However,
his start to 2025 has been on another level entirely.
In just a few short weeks, he has delivered a series of
podium results, including 5th, 2nd, 2nd, and 3rd in Spain at the Challenge
Mallorca, before winning the Classic Var and claiming both stage and overall
victory in the Tour des Alpes-Maritimes. His momentum continued at Trofeo
Laigueglia, where only Juan Ayuso of UAE Team Emirates-XRG was able to beat
him.
By early March, Scaroni had accumulated more UCI points than
any other rider in 2025, making him one of the standout names in the peloton as
he lined up for his debut at Strade Bianche, something he could scarcely have
believed at the end of 2024. While expectations were high, the Italian remained
cautious about the challenges posed by Tuscany’s white roads.
"I am a rider who likes to climb from the saddle, but
in Strade Bianche that is not so easy because of the gravel. You have to apply
the pressure from the saddle, so I am a bit afraid of that."
Unfortunately, Scaroni’s race came to an early end, as he
crashed 81km from the finish, just before Tadej Pogacar and Tom Pidcock
launched their monster attacks. The good news, however, was that he avoided
fractures and only had to take three days off the bike. For a rider who has
been cycling since the age of six, that brief break felt like an eternity.
"That's when I started, because my uncle was a
professional cyclist. I grew up with racing and eventually became a
professional at Gazprom-RusVelo in 2020. I rode there for three years, but
without much luck. In 2020 we had to deal with Covid-19, in 2021 I broke my
arm, and in 2022 the team was excluded because of the war in Ukraine."
Scaroni’s career almost ended before it even truly began
when Gazprom-RusVelo was suddenly disbanded in March 2022. Left without a
contract, he found himself at a crossroads.
"That's not easy, because as a novice professional, you
have to make miles and gain experience. I had a really hard time mentally and
even thought about quitting, because Gazprom-RusVelo was excluded in the middle
of the season and there was no possibility of signing anywhere else. I didn't
feel like just sitting around waiting.
“Fortunately, the Italian Cycling Federation came to help,
so I never lost motivation. Three years later, I can therefore say that I am
very happy that I am still a cyclist."
The Italian Cycling Federation’s support proved to be
crucial. Scaroni and a few other Italian riders left without teams were given
the chance to race in national colours for the remainder of 2022. Two stage
wins at the Adriatica Ionica Race caught the attention of Astana, who signed
him for 2023.
"I only really turned pro there in 2023. Fortunately,
because I never thought about anything else other than cycling. I wouldn't know
what kind of work I would have done then. I love football and am a fan of AC
Milan, I like being with friends, but what kind of work... Fortunately, I can
continue to focus on cycling for years to come."
While Scaroni showed flashes of brilliance in 2024, he was
still lacking a major breakthrough victory. Over the winter, he and his coaching
team adjusted his training approach, shifting focus towards one-day races to
help Astana accumulate more UCI points in their bid for a WorldTour license for
2026-2028.
"That has made me a lot stronger as a rider. For
example, I train a little less, but when I do train, I also go all out. On the
days that I don't train, the focus is also really on recovery. That focus in
training on the one-day work has proven to be a good choice."
Scaroni is well aware that some critics have downplayed his
results, arguing that his early-season success has come in smaller races. But
he strongly disagrees.
"I showed that I can follow the best riders in the
world, even though people said I only did it in small races. But Santiago
Buitrago won in a strong Tour of Valencia, and I was able to keep up with Juan
Ayuso.”
Despite his rapid progress, Scaroni isn’t yet sure what type
of rider he will become.
"I might not really know what kind of rider I am until
after 2025. Until last year, I rode all kinds of races, but now I can really
focus on becoming the very best version of myself. My numbers are good, so we
expected that I would be able to do what I have done now. It's just not easy to
show it in the race, to show your full potential."
Astana’s continued belief in him played a major role in his
decision to extend his contract rather than move to another team.
"The team continued to believe in my qualities, which
is why I decided to stay after last year. I could sign elsewhere with an
expiring contract, but I like being with a slightly smaller team—that is better
for my growth. Here, I can really ride for my own chance. With another team,
you might be played out as a domestique more quickly."
As one of the most in-form riders of early 2025, Scaroni’s next
big objectives are fast approaching. He will race Milan-Turin on March 19,
followed by Coppi e Bartali, before heading to an altitude training camp in
Tenerife. From there, his focus shifts to the Ardennes Classics (Flèche
Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège) and then the Giro d’Italia, where a stage
win is his biggest goal.
"I like to ride in the attack, even if that sometimes
costs a bit more energy. I also like to be a leader, but I still have a lot to
learn in that, from Diego Ulissi for example. He is a fantastic person and has
a lot of experience."
While some riders dream of transitioning into Grand Tour
contenders, Scaroni is in no rush to focus on general classification ambitions.
"Let's see if I can be a good leader in the future, but
right now, that's not very important to me. I want to enjoy this role first.
That's also why I didn't want to do Tirreno-Adriatico—that would have been too
much. A rider also needs rest, I've already raced a lot."
Scaroni’s journey has been anything but straightforward, yet
his determination and persistence are paying off in 2025. With his best years
still ahead of him, the Italian climber and one day specialist looks set to
continue making waves in the peloton.
He is certainly one to keep an eye on in 2025.