Team Sky signs Italian under-23 champion Gianni Moscon for 2016

Current Italian under-23  national champion Gianni Moscon has been signed by the British-based Team Sky on a two-year contract starting in 2016.

The announcement that Moscon is joining the team comes just as the 21-year-old is about to contest the under-23 men's road race at the Road World Championships in Richmond, where he ranks as one of the leading contenders for the title. Moscon has been riding for the Italian Zalf Euromobil Désirée Fior team.

So far this year he has won the Trofeo Citta si San Vendemiano and Trofeo Almar, and Sky prinicpal Sir Dave Brailsford describes him as Italy's best young talent.

"Gianni has performed consistently well this year and I believe he is Italy's best under-23 rider," said Brailsford. "He is strong, can climb, and possesses all-round ability.

"He is very stable, level-headed, has been coached well. He is ready to take the next step in his career and we can provide him with the best platform to progress."

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Moscon himself says that riding for Sky is an 'incredible opportunity'.

"Joining Team Sky is an incredible opportunity at this stage in my career," he said. "For years I have admired the team's Grand Tour performances on TV.

"I never dreamt I would get the chance to join Team Sky, but I'm fully focused now on giving this my best shot and I hope to learn as much as I can from the team's top riders."

Moscon joins under-23 British riders Alex Peters and Tao Geoghegan Hart on the team for 2016. Further 2016 rider announcements are expected from Team Sky this week.