Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team is proud to announce the signing of Italian climber Giulio Ciccone on a three-year agreement, running from 1 January 2027 until the end of 2029.

After eight seasons with Lidl-Trek, the 31-year-old from Abruzzo has chosen the Swiss-registered ProTeam for the next chapter of his career, bringing proven Grand Tour pedigree, an instinctive racing style and the experience of competing at the highest level of professional cycling.

For Ciccone, the move is about more than a new jersey. It is a deliberate choice to embrace a new environment, rediscover fresh motivation and become part of a project whose ambition and values immediately resonated with him.

One of Italy's most recognisable and charismatic riders, Ciccone has built his reputation on his ability to attack, his climbing talent and an emotional connection with the fans. A three-time Giro d'Italia stage winner, former Tour de France King of the Mountains and winner of the 2025 Clásica San Sebastián, he remains a formidable presence in the mountains and the most demanding one-day races.

His recent performances underline that ambition. Runner-up at the 2026 European Road Championships and third at Il Lombardia, Ciccone closed the season among the protagonists of some of cycling's biggest races.

Giulio Ciccone said:

"After eight years with the same team, this is a big decision, but one I genuinely wanted to make. I feel I still have a lot to give, and I needed a new challenge, fresh motivation and an environment where I could feel at home.

"From our very first meeting, I felt something different. It wasn't just about numbers, results or technical discussions. I felt real trust and appreciation, and that the people behind this project genuinely wanted me here. For me, the human side of a team comes first. I race with my heart, and the people around me are what give me energy.

"Then, when we started discussing the technical side, I was equally impressed. The attention to detail, the equipment, the technology and the ambition to keep improving really stood out. I'm very particular about my bike, and I could immediately see how much care goes into every aspect of performance.

"Being Italian, the connection with Pinarello and Q36.5 also means a lot. I'm also really looking forward to racing alongside Tom Pidcock. I've always admired him, not only because of his talent, but because he's a rider who thinks differently and isn't afraid to do things his own way. I hope we can bring something extra to each other and build something special together.

"To all the fans who have supported me over the years, I want to say that this is a change I truly believe in. I still have the same passion, the same hunger and the same desire to give everything on the bike. Now it's time to take that energy into a new chapter, together."

Italian roots. Factory Team ambition.

Ciccone's arrival represents a natural connection between Italian cycling heritage and the Team's international ambitions.

With Pinarello and Q36.5 at the heart of its technical identity, the Team's Home of Cycling Innovation philosophy brings together Italian engineering, advanced performance technology and a factory team approach in which riders, equipment specialists and performance staff work closely to translate every detail into a competitive advantage.

For a rider who combines an instinctive approach to racing with a meticulous interest in his equipment, that philosophy offers the foundations for a new phase of his career.

It also opens up exciting sporting possibilities. Ciccone and Tom Pidcock have frequently featured at the sharp end of major races this season. From 2027, their complementary qualities and attacking instincts will become part of the same collective ambition.

Douglas Ryder, Team Principal, said:

"Giulio is a rider who brings something you cannot manufacture: character, instinct and a genuine passion for racing. He has spent years proving himself against the very best, and what excites me is that he still has the hunger to push further.

"What really matters to us is why he chose this team. He recognised the people, the ambition and the environment we are building. That's important because our team philosophy is not simply about giving riders the best equipment. It's about bringing the right people together, creating trust and giving them everything they need to perform at their highest level.

"With Giulio, we gain a proven winner, an experienced leader and someone who can make a real difference when races become selective. 

"We're building a team where experience, talent and innovation work together. Giulio is an important part of that future, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together."

The heart of a climber

Born in Chieti, Abruzzo, Ciccone comes from a region with a proud cycling heritage, where the mountains have shaped generations of riders. Among them was the legendary Vito Taccone, the Camoscio d'Abruzzo, remembered as much for his fearless character as for his victories.

Different generations, different personalities, but a shared tradition of climbing with courage and racing with heart.

For Ciccone, the next chapter begins in 2027. A new team, new colours and new opportunities. The fire remains the same.

Giulio Ciccone – Rider Profile

• Nationality: Italian
• Born: 20 December 1994 – Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy
• Speciality: Climber / General Classification / Hilly Classics
• Previous team: Lidl-Trek (2019–2026)
• Contract: 1 January 2027 – 31 December 2029