Matteo Cigala is now riding at Continental level for Holdsworth. He's looking forward to seeing what he can do during what he describes as a personal challenge (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Matteo Cigala on Holdsworth Pro Cycling plans
Having ridden his last race for Viner-Caremark-Pactimo, Matteo Cigala lined out for Holdsworth Pro Cycling for the first time yesterday.
The Italian, who has been living and racing in Ireland in recent years, rode the Meath GP.
And while he didn’t place he has been riding very well this year. He is now hopeful of stepping up his condition a notch as he faces his next challenge.
Cigala said Morgan Fox – a form pro turned businessman – has been an important mentor for him this year.
Fox has been the dealer for Planet X bikes in Ireland for years. He also has a commercial footing in both the Viner-Caremark-Pactimo and Holdsworth teams.
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That has created a link between the two squads; one that Cigala’s transfer has sprung from.
And while Cigala has joined the rider roster at Holdsworth, Fox also joins as a directeur.
Cigala said without Fox, and Dave Loughran of Planet X UK, his move would not have happen.
He will soon be riding races like the Tour of Qinghai Lake in China next month and the Tour of Hungary in August.
Cigala said he would have a lead-out at these races from Dean Downing; the Holdsworth rider who competed with Team Sky and won the pro Tour of Ireland.
“With all his experience, I think it’s the perfect opportunity for me to start this new adventure,” explained Cigala.
Matteo Cigala in action in Navan on Sunday, his first race in the colours of Holdsworth Pro Cycling (Photo: SeanRowe)
Winning the final stage of Tour of Ulster 2018 in the colours of the team he now leaves for the second part of the season (Photo: Sharon McFarland)
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On the Rás podium, left, with his new team mate Sean McKenna and his old one, Ronan McLaughlin.
He also plans to ride a number of one-day pro races in both the UK and Italy and other UCI events that will be added to the team’s programme.
It will be a big step up from the Irish amateur scene, but one that does not overwhelm Cigala.
He raced at a higher level as a junior and U23, including to World Road Championships level on the Italian national team.
“I’m really looking forward to going back racing at that higher level. It is a style of racing that suits me more,” he said.
“Holdsworth have a good plan of racing and great ambitions for the future. Morgan has been an incredible mentor and support for me since day one in Viner.
“I’m thrilled to take this journey with me. He also has an unfinished business too in China.”
That unfinished business is Fox’s return to Qinghai Lake; his last race as a pro and one he crashed out of.
Cigala is hoping his previous international experience will help him adapt.
“I raced with Viris-Maserati and Palazzago in Italy as U23. And with them I did all of the UCI continental races there,” he said.
“As a junior with the national team I rode Worlds in Copenhagen, Paris-Roubaix, Course de la Paix, Trofeo Karlsberg and Giro della Lunigiana.
“Maybe I stopped a little bit too early, so I am looking forward to this new adventure.
“My move to Holdsworth is more like a personal challenge and because I believe in the Holdsworth project.”
And while Fox has been of obvious significant assistance to Cigala, his brother Keith Fox has also played a very big role. He has helped the Italian resolve a longstanding injury issue.
“Keith is the physio with the Irish rugby team and he helped with an issue with my glutes,” said Cigala.
“For many years I was just told that this issue was untreatable until Keith and Morgan started working on it.
“Keith was already treating one of the Irish rugby team for the same issue. After extensive treatment a few weeks before the Rás we seem to have improved it greatly.
“It’s improved to the point now where I feel a new sense of purpose and I want to see if I can ride at a higher level.”
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