Team Sky announce another contract renewal as Salvatore Puccio stays with British outfit
The Italian has supported Sky leaders in 10 Grand Tours
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/baDJNEurQjrRwxsSL6jaLC-415-80.jpg)
Salvatore Puccio has re-signed with Team Sky
Photo : Yuzuru SUNADA
Team Sky has announced the latest in a string of contract renewals as Salvatore Puccio stays with the team.
The Italian turned pro with the team in 2012 and has ridden in a supporting role for 10 Grand Tours, including helping Chris Froome to win both the Vuelta a España and the Giro d’Italia.
Puccio will be staying with Sky for another three years, becoming the latest rider to stick with the British WorldTour team.
He said: “As I’ve grown with the team I now relish and respect the role of domestique, as well as trying to help the young riders.
“When you have the big leaders you need guys to do the hard work in all terrain.
“It’s important to be consistent day after day. If you want to do that job you have to even more consistent than the leader, because the leader changes from race to race but you have to be really strong all season from February to October.
“That is the really hard part of my job, but my ambitions is always the same – to be in the best possible condition.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
>>> Looking back at Egan Bernal’s year as the Colombian signs five-year deal with Team Sky
The 29-year-old hasn’t picked up any wins for himself since turning pro, but has come close on a number of occasions.
He has finished near the top spot on stages of the Vuelta, Giro, Tirreno-Adriatico and placed 12th on Milan-San Remo in 2014.
Puccio joins Welshman Owain Doull in renewing his contract, after Doull’s re-signing was announced on Tuesday.
Geraint Thomas has also renewed with the team for three years after winning the Tour de France this year.
Team Sky have also held on to Colombian star Egan Bernal in a rare five-year deal for the 21-year-old.
New signings this season for the British team include Ecuadorian all-rounder Jhonatan Narvaez from Quick-Step Floors.
Italian Filippo Ganna will also be joining from UAE Team Emirates.
These signings come amidst upheaval at Team Sky’s parent company, Sky plc, which was bought by an American communication giant and seen its chairman depart.
>>> Geraint Thomas reveals tension with Team Sky over Chris Froome during Tour de France
On joining Team Sky in 2012, Puccio said: “I was still so young as an under-23 rider, and joining a WorldTour team with new technology and new ideas for cycling was really exciting.
“Almost every year I’ve been here the team has won a Grand Tour.
“One of my best memories so far was last season when we won the Vuelta with Chris.
“It was something special to start that last stage in Madrid and take the picture of the whole team in a line as winners.”
He added: “After being a part of Team Sky for seven years I really wanted to remain with this team.
“I know everyone, from the staff, the people in the office, to the coaches and DS’s.
“Right from my first year in the team I have felt motivated and that is the reason I have signed for three more years.
“There is no point in looking for something else when I have everything I need here.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
'I'm definitely pushing over 2,500 watts' - Meet the most powerful cyclists in the GB Olympics squad
Move over track sprinters, there are stronger legs in town
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Team USA aims for 7-10 cycling medals at Paris Olympics, here are the top American contenders to watch
Chloe Dygert, Jennifer Valente, and Hannah Roberts among top contenders to contribute to the medal count
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
By Adam Becket Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Tom Pidcock
According to the man himself, he's never had a hangover. It's alright for some.
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock adds extra mountain bike race to schedule, one week before Tour de France
Pidcock confirms he will race World Cup event in Crans Montana, Switzerland ahead of Olympic title defence
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
5 things we learned from the first week of the 2024 Giro d’Italia
The Italian Grand Tour is firmly underway and Tadej Pogačar is in the pink jersey. Here are our takeaways from the first week of action
By Tom Thewlis Published