EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale is proud to welcome Alberto Bettiol back into the #PinkArgyle family. The Italian has demonstrated a diverse set of race skills that has put him on the podium at GP Plouay and Tour de Pologne. He’s finished in the top ten at GP Quebec, GP Montreal, San Sebastian and E3 Harelbeke.
As a 19-year-old, Bettiol turned professional with Cannondale in 2014. He rode in argyle for three season (2015-2017) before leaving for BMC. After a single season away, Bettiol returns to his roots.
“I’m ready to pull on argyle again because it’s important to me to finish what I started last year and never quite completed,” said Bettiol. “The argyle family believed in me since the very beginning, and I feel that it’s my best choice to return to where it all began.”
“Alberto showed great promise when he was with us,” said #PinkArgyle CEO Jonathan Vaughters. “He was climbing near the best at the 2017 Tour de France, and was a key part of our classics team. He got a bit derailed in 2018, we are going to get him back on track “
“Alberto and his family were really a part of our family,” Vaughters added. “I understood when he left in the precarious situation we were in last year, but now that we’re out of that, I’m really excited to have him back. “
Although the team Bettiol left has undergone some changes in his absence, Bettiol is convinced he’ll feel at home immediately.
“I know nearly everyone on the team already, and I’m happy to get to know the new guys.” Bettiol said. “In many ways, I feel like I never really left, so it won’t feel strange at all to come back.”
“You understand what is important when you lose it,” Bettiol added. “And I’ve learned a good group spirit is very often stronger than a single power.”
Bettiol’s race program has yet to be formally organized. He hopes to race the Giro. He dreams of the Tour.
“And I hope for a better result than the one we achieved in 2017,” Bettiol said.
Bettiol wants his new EF Education First co-workers to know that he’s a “down-to-earth and genuine” sort of guy.
“I love my job, and I’m loyal to good people,” he said. “I’m super happy when I get a result but at the same time, when a teammate achieves a goal thanks to my work, I’m equally happy.
“I love my country, Italy, and my family is an anchor for me,” he added. “I also love to travel. In the future, I dream about living somewhere in California. Being from Italy, the Giro is very important to me, so pink has always been my favorite color. I’m happy now to have a new reason to love pink.”
