Racing
Andrea Piccolo signs with EF Education-EasyPost
Young Italian star set to start his career in pink at the Tour de l’Ain
August 6, 2022
We are excited to announce the signing of Andrea Piccolo to the squad. The twenty-one-year-old Italian rider will make his debut for the team at the Tour de l’Ain on August 9th.
Piccolo, who finished second at the Circuito de Getxo last week, has been turning heads for a few years now. Ever since his third place finish at the world junior time trial in 2018 when he was just seventeen, the young Italian rider has accumulated strong results both in time trials and road races at all levels.
“For me, of course the jersey is a huge bonus,” chuckles Piccolo. “All the teams are good in the WorldTour but I was excited about the prospect of joining EF Education-EasyPost. It’s a big honor for me.”
In 2019, he won the junior individual time trials at both the European continental championships and the Italian national championships before finishing in the top three in both road races as well. Over the next two years, he accumulated more top results in stages races, one day races and international events and quickly solidified his reputation as one of the top cycling prospects of his generation.
“Andrea is the best talent in Italy,” says EF Education-EasyPost CEO Jonathan Vaughters. “I really look forward to seeing what’s in store for Andrea. My expectations are quite high. I wouldn't be surprised if he won a pro race before the end of the year and shocked a few people.”
The future was bright for Piccolo after he signed his first WorldTour contract when he was just 19 years old but some misfortune and medical issues put a dent in his plans. Now the young Italian knows better days are ahead of him.
“The last two years have been really challenging for me,” says Piccolo. “But I am thankful for my family and for the courage they have given me to get here. This year, I have found a good path and I am really happy. Everything is looking good.”
“A climber who can sometimes go pretty fast” as he puts it, Piccolo’s path to cycling seemed obvious. With an ex-pro father and an older brother who also raced bikes professionally, Piccolo has always had fond memories of riding bikes.
“I love riding my bike,” says Piccolo. “I love being out in nature and I love the feeling you get when you are on your bike. There’s nothing quite like it.”
For a rider who has spent so much of his young life in the spotlight, Andrea Piccolo enjoys a quiet lifestyle. He still goes for rides with his brother and father and when he’s not riding he says he likes to live “a normal life”.
We are excited to see where his career takes him! Join us in welcoming Andrea to the team!