Brennan's new main helper will bring something special to the team: 'There even was a special slide for it'

Who would have thought Filippo Fiorelli would be riding for Visma | Lease a Bike in 2026? Certainly not the man himself. He couldn't believe his step to the WorldTour, but the sprinter will ride along the stars of the Dutch team next season. But what exactly can we expect from the 30-year-old Italian, who so far had spent his entire career with Bardiani?

Fiorelli will be 31 when he will make his first meters in yellow. He did not expect to appear in the WorldTour at this point. "I was hoping for it, but I had almost given up," he told OA Sport. "Then, thanks to a good first half of the season, things were set into motion and Visma | Lease a Bike gave me a call. I signed a two-year contract: it's a dream come true."

According to Fiorelli, Visma’s pitch after the Giro d’Italia focused on something rather unusual. "The team explained it clearly to me. They contacted me the week after the Giro d'Italia and presented me with a project built entirely around me. Among other things, they assessed my ability to ride and avoid crashes: there was even a special slide in the project. An injury-free season really makes a difference."

The step up will take some getting used to. "I have already started working with them and I must say that it is a top organization, without in any way detracting from Bardiani, where they have always done a fantastic job for Italian cycling and beyond. At Visma, however, you feel the quality and professionalism of one of the best teams in the world."

His ability to stay on his feet, and his experience, make Fiorelli a very interesting man for the Killer Bees. In the announcement of the transfer, Head of Racing Grischa Niermann mentioned that fast man will come in handy especially in the spring classics, especially in the service of Matthew Brennan. The young Briton is one of the biggest talents in the peloton, but still needs some coaching.

The Italian is expected to play a very important role in the spring. He definitely was not brought into the team as filler. "They told me that I will be the last one to deliver Brennan and Van Aert, but that I will also get personal chances,' Fiorelli said. 'As a fast sprinter, they are giving me the space to play my cards when the opportunity arises."

With Edoardo Affini, Pietro Mattio and Davide Piganzoli, Fiorelli becomes the fourth Italian rider on the roster next season. Affini has already expressed high expectations of his new compatriots — particularly when it comes to attention to detail and nutrition. "I think Fiorelli and Piganzoli will make a huge step forward in terms of attention to detail and nutrition, which is certainly a very important aspect here.”