“I’m personally very proud of what Fabio and Eugenio have shown in the last two seasons under the wing of Adriano Baffi, who has lead the LEOPARD TREK team with a lot of devotion,” said Team Manager Luca Guercilena. “Both riders attained a solid development within our family and brought victories to the team. Obviously, the step to the pros is another big one, but I strongly believe that they will keep making progress.” In regards to the young riders’ potential role within the team, Guercilena added, “Both Eugenio and Fabio will have an important role in our sprinters program. They have the capacity to do that. We want to give opportunities to them, especially in the smaller races.”
Silvestre:
Despite the legacy of his grandfather, a former podium finisher at the Tour of Portugal, Fabio Silvestre turned his attention to competitive cycling relatively late at the age of 16. Time trials and in sprints emerged quickly as his particular cycling talents. His ability in both skills is demonstrated in the palmares he gathered in the Portuguese U23 Road and Time Trial Championships.
Trek has reached agreements with two riders of the LEOPARD TREK continental team, Fabio Silvestre (POR) and Eugenio Alafaci (ITA), to join the 2014 WorldTour team roster. Since the inception of the continental program in 2012, both riders have proven themselves and will reinforce the team’s core group of sprinters. “Both of these riders show huge promise and represent this team’s investment in the future of the sport,” said Trek Sports Marketing Manager Simon Thompson. “We’re excited to see how their energy and talent adds to the team.”
This season he won the fourth stage in the Ronde de l’Oise, the same race he earned the mountains classification jersey, taking the victory from a group of six riders that broke away with 90 km to go. He won the last stage of the Circuit des Ardennes in a similar way, from a group of three. Able to break away early, Silvestre is no stranger to making his presence known in bunch sprints, as he demonstrated at the opening stage of the Tour de Normandie. Silvestre also took the overall at the Tryptique des Monts et Châteaux.
“I’m very, very happy. It’s a dream come true to be joining a WorldTour team and to step up to the highest level of racing and competitors in the world,” said Silvestre. “My two years with Leopard were great. In 2012 it felt like my first day at school again, because it was all so different than what I had seen and experienced in the Portuguese circuit. This year I worked hard and had some success. Next year will once again feel like going back to school all over again.”
Alafaci:
In contrast to his Portuguese teammate, Eugenio Alafaci was introduced to cycling early in life. The past sixteen years have been spent climbing cycling’s ranks, and at the age of 23 Eugenio will ascend the biggest of his career. After recording seven podium placings in 2012, he finally scored his first continental win and the first of the 2013 season for LEOPARD TREK at the Omloop der Kempen.
“I’m incredibly happy to join the team. It’s a dream come true. When I was a junior, I wanted to become a rider like Fabian Cancellara. Next year I’ll be riding in the same team as him and I will be able to learn so many things from all these experienced riders,” said Alafaci. “My goals are to continue to develop and become a better rider. I’m devoted to taking up the role the team asks me to take and will not disappoint the trust Trek has given me with this opportunity.”