Bergamo-based climbing specialist Luca Cretti will turn professional with MBH Bank Ballan CSB Colpack in 2026. A long-pursued and not-so-obvious result that concludes a personal journey he has always been committed to achieving. Cretti, born in Sovere on June 30, 2001, has been with Antonio Bevilacqua's team for 3 years, alongside Gabor Deak and the Ballan, D'Aprile, and Colleoni families. This year he achieved 3 victories (Carnago, Monte Pasubio, and Gp Fornasiero), 3 second places, and 2 third places. It's up to him to explain his emotions and future ambitions.

EMOTIONS. Cretti, a university student in Motor Sciences, explains: "From the beginning of the season, for everyone, the main goal is always to secure a professional contract, and it was the same for me. Moreover, knowing that the team would be making the leap, this was an opportunity not to be missed. Being here is a dream".

KEY MOMENTS. "During the season, there were several moments of growth, and as they say, you learn more from mistakes than from victories. In fact, especially from difficult moments, I believe I've gained numerous lessons to treasure for future improvement".

TEAM. "Being part of an Italian-Hungarian team is certainly a different experience that is helping me grow even more because I can compare different cultures and learn the best from each".

HIS JOURNEY SO FAR. "Actually, I don't think I've fully realized that I've reached this milestone. For us cyclists and athletes in general, each season is a continuous transition from preparation to competition periods: our days are always focused on a goal, and as soon as one is achieved, we immediately think about the next. There's little time to realize the milestones reached. So it was also for turning professional, which was just a dream a year ago; now that it's become reality, we're already thinking about how to prepare the new season and where to improve performance. I have yet to fully comprehend what has happened".

THANKS. It's also time for acknowledgments: "Over these years, those beside me have made all the difference: without them, it would have been impossible to reach this milestone. I want to thank my family who has always supported me, never made me lack anything, nor made me feel the burden of accompanying me to races, and who stood by me especially in these last two difficult years, both economically and mentally. They gave me the opportunity to continue pursuing my dream, often putting me first even before themselves".

A thank you that goes beyond the domestic walls: "I would then like to thank Alfio and the Bettoni Family, who gave me the opportunity to continue training during my competition break by providing all necessary equipment, but above all for being sincere friends".

Finally: "An immense thanks to the Team and especially to Antonio Bevilacqua, who gave me the opportunity to race again and believed in me throughout the season and for the coming years".

FUTURE. Ambitions are not lacking. "For 2026, there is certainly a lot of desire to compete with those who really matter. Initially, expectations will be mainly about learning and growing consistently; then, as the season progresses, we'll adjust the objectives".

TEAM. Team manager Bevilacqua, who has always supported Cretti with confidence, emphasizes: "Luca is one of the most serious riders I've had. That's why I've always supported him, believing in his work and his qualities. Now it's up to him to demonstrate his talent in this new step we're taking together".