Pinarello-Q36.5 wants to take a competitive step forward in 2027 and has found one of its most important reinforcements in Giulio Ciccone, who will join Tom Pidcock. The Italian is leaving Lidl-Trek after eight seasons, and his signing not only strengthens the squad but also allows the Swiss team to build a project around two leaders capable of competing in some of the biggest races on the calendar.

The plan is for the pair to share responsibility and pose a threat to their rivals, particularly in the toughest Classics. Ciccone’s arrival is especially intriguing in light of what happened in 2026. Pidcock finished fifth in the UCI rankings, was runner-up at Milan-San Remo and placed ninth in the Tour de France.

The Italian, meanwhile, ended his time at Lidl-Trek with third place at Il Lombardia and second at the European Championships. They have different profiles, but both can make their mark at decisive moments in a race.

Pinarello does not see having two leaders as a potential problem. On the contrary, team sports director Gabriele Missaglia believes sharing responsibility can benefit both riders. He summed up that philosophy with a clear statement: “I’d rather have two riders with character than one.”

Giulio Ciccone’s signing is one of Pinarello-Q36.5’s most significant moves for 2027. The Italian has signed a three-year contract through the end of 2029 after ending his agreement with Lidl-Trek early. He leaves behind eight years with a WorldTour team to join a project aiming to keep growing and move closer to cycling’s elite.

This is not simply a signing to bolster the climbing squad. Ciccone can compete in one-day races, Grand Tour stages and stage races. He has won three Giro d’Italia stages, claimed the mountains classification at both the Giro and the Tour de France, and won the Clásica de San Sebastián in 2025.

Ciccone’s arrival changes Pidcock’s prospects

His recent results confirm that he can still compete at the highest level. In 2026, he finished second in the road race at the European Championships and third at Il Lombardia, where only Paul Seixas and other leading riders in the peloton could challenge him for the top places. His ability to make races harder and attack on selective terrain also fits the aggressive approach Pinarello wants to develop.

Ciccone himself said he needed a change after eight seasons with the same team. In the official announcement of his signing, he admitted he was looking for “a new challenge, renewed motivation and an environment where I could feel at home.” He also highlighted the trust he found in his early conversations with the Swiss team.

His arrival comes as Pinarello-Q36.5 continues to grow. The team finished 12th in the 2026 UCI rankings, ahead of six WorldTour teams, and wants to use the new season to climb further. Ciccone’s signing, alongside other additions such as Mauro Schmid, Ethan Hayter and AJ August, considerably strengthens the squad’s options.

Pidcock has already shown he can compete with the best

Ciccone’s presence could also change how Pinarello approaches its biggest races around Tom Pidcock. The Briton has been the team’s leading rider since joining and took a step forward in consistency and results in 2026.

His runner-up finish at Milan-San Remo was one of the season’s standout results. Pidcock withstood attacks from Tadej Pogačar and stayed in contention for victory until the finish, although he ultimately had to settle for second place. He also finished in the Tour de France’s top 10, placing ninth, and recorded five wins during the season.

The Briton ended the year fifth in the UCI rankings, the best result of his career in that classification. It reflects his progress and his growing stature in the peloton. He is no longer simply a cyclocross and mountain bike specialist who also excels on the road: he has become a rider capable of targeting major results throughout the season.

However, his performances have also highlighted what the team needs. Pinarello cannot rely solely on Pidcock in the biggest races. Bringing in another rider capable of contesting selective finales gives the team more tactical options and prevents all the responsibility from falling on the Briton.

Ciccone can take on that role. His climbing ability and Grand Tour experience make him an option for mountainous races, while his attacking instinct could prove especially useful in one-day Classics. Together, the pair give the team a range of resources it has not previously had to the same extent.

“Not having all the pressure on one rider can be an advantage”

The main question surrounding this new partnership is how Pinarello will manage two riders who can target major results in the same races. Pidcock and Ciccone are not necessarily destined to play supporting roles. Both have ambitions and have shown they can compete for wins.

However, Gabriele Missaglia does not expect the situation to cause conflict. The sports director told BiciPro that shared leadership can be beneficial tactically and when it comes to managing pressure.

“I would rather have two riders with strong personalities than just one,” he said. “I think they should both see the positives. For me and for them, not putting all the pressure on one rider can be an advantage. Sharing responsibility, even in the same race, is better—not just tactically, but also when it comes to managing pressure.”

Missaglia believes the strategy will depend on the demands of each race. In some events, one of the two may have better chances, while in others they could work together to target a major result.

“We are a team, and we will always try to work together as well as we can. Perhaps one day we will ride for one of them, and another time for the other. We will decide when the time comes. I don’t foresee any problems with them working together,” he explained.

His comments reflect a philosophy that could prove especially useful for a team looking to move up a level. Rather than concentrating all its resources on a single leader, Pinarello aims to have several options to counter its rivals’ moves.

Milan-San Remo, the first major target that could bring them together

One intriguing possibility is that Pidcock and Ciccone could line up together at the 2027 Milan-San Remo. Missaglia said he would like to see both riders start the season’s first Monument, although no final decision has been made about their race programmes.

“I think they will race together on some occasions. Perhaps only Ciccone will ride Tirreno-Adriatico, but I would like both of them to start Milan-San Remo. It will depend on many factors. We are still working on it. We will start defining the programme at our next training camp in Spain,” he explained.

The possibility makes sense in light of what happened in the 2026 edition. Pidcock was one of the few riders able to withstand Pogačar’s pace when the Slovenian made the race harder, and he ultimately finished second. His performance confirmed that he has the attributes to contend for one of the most difficult Monuments to control.

Ciccone, meanwhile, could offer a different tactical option. The Italian is an explosive rider who can attack on demanding terrain and exploit situations where the favourites mark one another. His presence would give Pinarello two cards to play in the decisive phase.

Rider	Key strength	Contribution to Pinarello-Q36.5
Tom Pidcock	Explosiveness, technical skill and classics ability	Leadership in Monuments and selective races
Giulio Ciccone	Climbing, endurance and attacking ability	A mountain option and a second leader in the classics
Mauro Schmid	Versatility and ability across varied terrain	Greater depth for one-day races
Ethan Hayter	Speed and time-trial ability	Options for fast finishes and races across different terrains

Milan-San Remo shows how the two could complement each other. If Pidcock is again among the main favourites, Ciccone could exploit the attention on the Briton to launch an attack. If the race becomes selective earlier than expected, the Italian also has the credentials to stay in contention. In either case, the final decision will depend on form and the team’s objectives.

A team determined to become less reliant on Pidcock

Ciccone’s arrival is part of a much broader rebuild. Pinarello-Q36.5 is assembling a squad capable of challenging the leading WorldTour teams more regularly. The team understands that moving up a level takes more than a star who can deliver big results: it needs several riders capable of contending in major races.

The 2026 season showed what the team can achieve when Pidcock is at his best. The Briton claimed five victories and helped the team finish 12th in the UCI rankings. The squad also recorded nine wins and secured important results in races of different kinds.

The challenge is that Pidcock’s individual ranking was well ahead of those of his teammates. Quinten Hermans was the team’s next-highest rider in UCI points, with a much lower total than the Briton. Signings such as Ciccone and Schmid are intended to reduce that reliance and create more opportunities for results when Pidcock is absent or not at his best.

There is also a broader ambition. Pinarello-Q36.5 wants to move closer to the WorldTour and establish itself as a team capable of competing regularly in the biggest races. To do so, it needs results, UCI points and a squad able to perform across different terrain.

Ciccone’s arrival could be especially important in that pursuit. The Italian brings not only experience and victories, but also a competitive personality that fits well with Pidcock’s style. His signing shows that the team wants to give the Briton teammates capable of taking responsibility, rather than simply working for him.