Samuele Zoccarato

This 27-year-old escape artist from San Giorgio delle Pertiche (in the province of Padua) joins Team Polti VisitMalta from Vf Bardiani Csf Faizanè. Throughout his career, he’s been protagonist of ambitious long-range breakaways at the Tirreno-Adriatico and Giro d’Italia, claimed KOM jerseys in the Jura, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Comunitat Valenciana and Austria, as well as secured two Italian gravel championships and a third place in the 2021 Italian Road Championships in Imola: Zoccarato still considers that podium behind Colbrelli and Masnada the most beautiful moment of his cycling life. Samuele’s talents have been shaped since childhood, when he started riding a bike before even beginning elementary school to emulate his sister. His grit and determination shone in his last Under-23 race with Colpack at the 2020 Giro U23, where he attacked on the Mortirolo and finished third in Aprica not far behind Pidcock. As a gravel enthusiast, his favorite race is the Strade Bianche. As a bike lover in general, he’s a mechatronics expert and one of those riders who know how to tinker with bikes. A final extra-cycling curiosity? “My favorite food is my girlfriend’s tiramisu!”