OFFICIAL: Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe bolster Classics ranks with signing of controversial Italian

Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe continues to make moves in the transfer market ahead of the 2025 season. The latest signing comes in the form of a former Tour of Guangxi and Arctic Race of Norway winner from Soudal - Quick-Step, Gianni Moscon.

“I'm incredibly excited to join Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe and start this new chapter in my cycling career. From the moment I met Ralph (Denk ed.), it was clear that we were on the same page," says Moscon in an official press release via the official website of the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe team. "The trust that Ralph and the team have in me makes me motivated and determined to do my best. This is a great opportunity, and I can't wait to get started.”

"When I think of Gianni's potential, I think of Roubaix 2021: an impressive solo that was only stopped by a puncture. We hope to bring him back to that level in a new environment and with our expanded performance structure," adds Ralph Denk, full of praise for the former INEOS Grenadiers and Astana Qazaqstan Team star. "But with his experience, we are also looking beyond the classics. At the Tour de France this summer, we saw how well he fulfilled his role as road captain."

Soudal - Quick-Step boss Patrick Lefevere had confirmed Moscon's departure earlier this week. Not totally happy to part with the Italian though, Lefevere blamed continued speculation over Remco Evenepoel's future for Moscon's decision to leave. "The Tour was okay for him but he didn’t want to sign and then with all these rumours around Remco he wanted to wait and in the end, there was no place for him. I think he thought Remco was going. That’s Moscon’s decision, he’s not a baby. Sometimes things happen," the Belgian explained to Daniel Benson.

Whilst undoubtedly talented, Moscon's career has been one plagued by controversy at times. During the 2017 Tour de Romandie, Moscon was accused of racially abusing Kévin Reza and was subsequently suspended by Team Sky for six weeks. The Italian was also disqualified from the 2018 Tour de France for punching Élie Gesbert. In recent years though, the now 30-year-old seems to have thankfully matured and moved on from such controversies.