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Mattia Cattaneo: “I dream of being one of the best TT riders in the world”
The Italian has extended his contract with the Wolfpack until the end of 2023
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16-Nov-2021: In the two years since he joined Deceuninck – Quick-Step’s ranks, Mattia Cattaneo has impressed with the dedication and hard work that he has put in for his teammates, as well as the consistent progress of his own personal performances. Such has been that progress that the likeable 31-year-old has been awarded a new two-year contract with the UCI World Team Ranking winner, meaning he will stay with the team through to the end of 2023.
Speaking of the agreement, Mattia said: “I am super happy and proud to continue with the team. The Wolfpack is a unique squad in cycling, and it is a pleasure to ride with them and work for the team. I give my support to the leader in the race, and they have been good in giving me my own opportunities.
I think that it is hard for people to understand the team and how it works. You can see from outside that everybody has a close relationship and what the Wolfpack means, but when you are inside it is even better than you would expect. It is why I am happy to help the captain for the hard days in the Grand Tours and in certain races, but I know they will work for me in some specific races and help me try to get results.
My first experience at the Tour de France earlier this year was an unbelievable one. To be able to ride this race was a super big goal for me. It was a great race where I was able to take 12th on the GC, and to help Cav and Julian get stage wins – it went better than could be expected. I hope that in the next two years I can ride it at least one more time and maybe I could try to take a top 10.
I am proud of how my TT has progressed. I love the discipline and my next goal will be to improve as a specialist, and I have been doing some work with the team and with Specialized to look at how I can improve. Hopefully in the next two years I can progress even more and look to score some more TT victories – I dream of being one of the best TT riders in the world. It will be super hard, but I took 5th and 8th in the time trials at the Tour de France and I think it is possible to improve, to be one of the top 5 riders in the world. I would love to wear the jersey of the Italian National Champion, but it is a bit difficult because the number 1 is the best in the world! But I will for sure try to close the gap on Ganna.”
The delight at Cattaneo’s new deal was shared with Deceuninck – Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere, who said: “It is a big thing for us to have Mattia stay with us for the next two years. He is an incredibly talented yet humble guy, who will work all day for his teammates. We have also seen his individual qualities, with some strong climbing performances, especially at the Tour de France, and that he is improving all the time as a time trial rider. So, on several fronts, we are really looking forward to working with him for two more years.”
Available Images to download
- Mattia-Cattaneo.jpg - Mattia Cattaneo / All pictures attached can be used for editorial and non commercial usages only and are copyright protected - ©Deceuninck - Quick-Step - ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images - Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
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