Soudal - Quick-Step bet on Italian time trial champion with a three-year contract
Cycling
Continuing to build on the foundations laid out by its development team, Soudal - Quick-Step is ready to promote the 20-year-old Andrea Raccagni who convinced the team that he's ready to move up a level over the past two years. The Italian U23 time trial champion will wear the Soudal - Quick-Step jersey until at least the end of 2027.
"I’m really happy and proud that this dream I had since I was a kid will come true and I will turn pro with Soudal - Quick-Step. I had two good years with the Devo team, learned a lot and I feel that now I’m ready to make the step to the World Tour in just a couple of months. It’s an incredible squad and I kind of feel at home here," Raccagni explained.
Raccagni took off strongly in 2024, with third places at Brussel-Opwijk, the rainy Le Tour des 100 Communes (1.2) and Gent - Wevelgem (U23). Later on in the season, the Italian rider became national U23 time trial champion, took second places in opening time trial at Giro Next Gen and finished 7th against the clock at the U23 European Championships.
"My strongest point is the time trial, but I also have some speed on the flat and on small uphill finishes, so I’m looking forward to discovering what kind of rider I can be. My hope is to become a good Classics rider and to help the team get good results whenever possible."
"Andrea has what it takes to build himself a nice career in the World Tour ranks. He has the work ethic, the ambition and the mentality to become better and play a role in the squad’s success. He is a real team player, as evidenced by his display at the U23 Giro and the Tour of Slovakia, to name just a few of the races where he has impressed us. We welcome him in the team and can’t wait to see him in action next season," Soudal - Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere said of the promising Italian.
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ScottG27-12-2024 - Pretty classy comments by Jonas. Makes me like him even more.ScottG27-12-2024
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