19-year-old Italian suddenly a lead sprinter among the WorldTour teams: does Red Bull have gold in its hands?

The teenager from Trento was allowed to make his debut straight away in Spain among the WorldTour riders. Magagnotti was also his team’s designated sprint finisher, but he couldn’t get past his lead-out man Marit — who ultimately won the race himself. Still, Magagnotti managed to take a very impressive podium place in his first elite race.

Speaking to BICI.Pro, Magagnotti sounded surprised by both himself and the opportunities he is already getting at the team. “I didn’t expect to be racing with the pros so early in the season — let alone being the chosen man for the final sprint. If someone had told me I’d be on the podium in my first race, I never would have believed it.”

The Italian has only been riding for Red Bull–BORA–Hansgrohe’s Development set-up since this season. Magagnotti joined over the winter from local team Contri Autozai, a former squad of riders such as Luca Mozzato and Filippo Zana. And despite officially racing for the Development team, the youngster also joined the WorldTour riders at training camp.

It was a big experience for the young Italian. “The training was very different — especially the recovery rides. Those were much slower than I’m used to.” According to Magagnotti, it’s a very conservative approach. “We don’t train for many hours. Right now, we’re only doing 15 to 17 hours a week.”

It isn’t just the training methods that are new for the sprinter: English is also a challenge. Magagnotti admitted he still struggles with the language, but is helped by having Italian teammates around him. He has, among others, built a good relationship with Lorenzo Finn and Davide Donati. “I immediately felt at home with the Italian WorldTour riders.”

The wider public should see the young Italian more often later this season. Magagnotti is on the start list for Le Samyn, among other races — and he’s already looking forward to it. “Those were the races I watched on TV and dreamed about,” he said enthusiastically about the cobbled one-day races. Later, Magagnotti will rejoin the Development team for the under-23 programme.