Giulio Ciccone has signed a three-year contract with Pinarello Q36.5 after spending eight seasons with Lidl-Trek, joining British rider Tom Pidcock at the Swiss squad starting next season. The Italian climber enters the new chapter following a strong autumn campaign that featured a runner-up finish at the European Championships and a third-place result at the Giro di Lombardia.
A Fresh Challenge After Eight Seasons with Lidl-Trek
At 31 years of age, the Italian climber from the Abruzzo region explained that he sought a fresh challenge and new motivations after nearly a decade with his previous team. Over his eight-year tenure with Lidl-Trek, Ciccone built a formidable palmarès defined by aggressive mountain stages and Grand Tour success. He has claimed three stage victories at the Giro d’Italia alongside two king of the mountains classifications in 2019 and 2026, while also securing victory at the Clásica de San Sebastián in 2025.
Teaming Up with Tom Pidcock at Pinarello Q36.5
The move pairs Ciccone with Tom Pidcock within the Pinarello Q36.5 roster, creating a potent tactical duo for hilly one-day classics and stage races. Ciccone expressed clear admiration for his new teammate in the team’s official announcement. “I’ve always admired him, not only for his talent, but also because he’s a rider who thinks differently and isn’t afraid to follow his own path,” Ciccone stated in the release.
Late-Season Form Precedes the Swiss Squad Transfer
Ciccone’s transfer announcement follows a productive run of late-season results that underscored his enduring strength in high-mountain and demanding classic terrain. His second-place finish at the European Championships and his podium appearance at the Giro di Lombardia confirmed his competitive readiness heading into the winter training block. The three-year agreement locks in his team association through the 2028 racing calendar.
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