From Rostese to Lidl-Trek Future Racing, the leap is so big that it could scare anyone, but Gabriele Scagliola answers the other end of the phone calmly and calmly. The carefree nature of his eighteen years made him experience his first meeting in Germany with lightheartedness, but also with a lot of awareness.Gabriele Scagliola knows where he is but he has clear ideas and knows that in I have to team up of one of the most important WorldTour teams in the world did not arrive there by chance.
He recently returned from Germany, from Stuttgart., where he stayed for a week and was able to breathe in the atmosphere of what is now home.
«We spent a week at Lidl headquarters – he says – where they are also setting up a section dedicated entirely to the team. We have done so many things, from shooting for next year until the saddle is put onIt was a wonderful experience, of course from Rostese to Lidl Trek the leap is big. We also enjoyed a few evenings together, the team organized an internal Oktoberfest. Really unique and fun."
From mountain bike to road
Gabriele Scagliola's story is that of a boy who fell in love with the bicycle in different ways. It all started with mountain biking and the curiosity to try something that had already caught his attention..
"I remember that mountain biking," Scagliola says, "came to me when I was very young, about nine years old. I was on vacation with my parents on Lake Bolsena where we have a house. I saw there was a mountain bike team so I gave it a try, just to pass the time.When we returned home, in the province of Turin, I told my mother to find me a team to run with. So I got to the Rostese Cycling. At the time I also played football but I gave it up after a while."
«At first I didn't like the road – he continues – because I found it monotonous. I had tried but without much enthusiasm, so I continued with the off-roadI fell in love with road cycling as a second-year student, when I tried racing again and discovered its charm."
What are the differences between these two loves, mountain biking and road biking?
I am very attached to my land, to the mountains and to my country. Behind my house I have a mountain, Musinè, where there are many paths on which to have funI am very emotionally attached to mountain biking. What I appreciated about road cycling was the freedom it gives you., spending many hours in the saddle and sharing training and competitions with other riders. There are many more athletes in this discipline and intense, deep bonds are created.
You also switched to road cycling and things went well, right?
Very good. As a second-year student, I ran a few races, always with Rostese, at the end of the season. Then in 2024 I started the double activity together with a group of guys from the teamMy sports director and I pushed to create a group that did both disciplines. The first year was challenging because I was racing on the mountain bike on Saturdays and on the road on Sundays.While this year we have planned the season well so as not to overload.
The first results have also arrived…
I've seen some really impressive growth on the road. When I started I didn't even have the potentiometer, I got it halfway through the first year (2024, ed.) Now it's almost unthinkable for a student to run without it, but I was just thinking about having fun.
You come from mountain biking and road cycling. Which cyclists made you fall in love with these disciplines?
MTB, Nino Schurter, without a doubt. While on the road Peter Sagan, even if I see myself in Van Der Poel for his versatility and a passion for different specialties.
How did you come into contact with Lidl-Trek?
As I was going strong and starting to win, the first agents approached me. I took some time to figure out what to do because I wasn't sure I wanted to sign right away and commit myself to people I didn't know. I finally spoke to Fabio Felline, with whom we have become friends over time, and he told me not to rush., if one goes strong the teams arrive. He advised me to speak with Giovanni Lombardi, who followed him throughout his career.We all went to dinner together and I decided to sign with him, just to protect myself.
Did he take you to Lidl-Trek?
Other teams had approached before them. First was Ineos, then Movistar and finally Red Bull-BORAI was almost a Red Bull rider but in the end it fell through because some guys from the I have to team up they wouldn't have moved up to the WorldTour and so there were fewer places available. There would have been a wait, perhaps too long, so I took the opportunity on the fly and here I am in Lidl-Trek.
Have there also been contacts with Italian teams?
Not as far as I know. But I was determined to go abroad, the impact is really big but I think it's the right thing for my growthInteracting with new people and other figures will give me the opportunity to learn a lot. I also asked to be followed by a foreign trainer, I want to approach and experiment with different training methods.
Who have you spoken to this week?
With many boys from the I have to team upI practically met them all. Then, at various meetings, I also met the WorldTour riders since we were all often together. For example Mads pedersen He gave me a hand and some advice on getting on the saddle, while with other Italians like ciccone and Bagioli I talked about this and that. There was also Ayuso.
What does it feel like to have them so close?
It's strange to go from television to reality and have to pretend nothing's happening. I didn't even ask for a photo, I didn't want to seem like a pushy kid.. In the end they are and will be my teammates.
So, have you brought your new bike home yet? Have you tried it out?
Yes, he's here with me. I tried it for a spin, but I'm in off-season so I still have to wait a little bit to get around to it seriouslyBut I won't let myself be consumed by haste, there's plenty of time.
You're a first-year junior, does that mean there'll be school too?
Absolutely. I'm finishing high school with a focus on sports sciences.I'm in my senior year, and I'll graduate in June. When I chose this school, I chose the program because I'm so interested in nutrition and training. I didn't think cycling would become my career. In the future I would also like to continue my studies and enroll in university, perhaps in the Faculty of Sports Sciences..
Right away?
I'm not thinking about it at the moment. Even though the team offers the possibility of having an internal study plan, I was talking about it with a guy these days. They basically follow you and help you through your university studies through tutors, which is very interesting.
Upcoming team commitments?
We'll see each other directly at the December retreat, where we'll also discuss our plans. This year I will still maintain the double activity, the team is in favor. Even if I imagine the future on the road.
