In January this year, he began a new professional challenge and joined the technical staff of Lidl-Trek. Now - after almost a year, many races, and countless kilometers driven in the team car of the American team - Paolo Sangalli takes stock of his 2025.

"When I decided to start this new adventure, I was certain that in Lidl-Trek I would find a great environment, highly professional and very motivating. After a year, I can say I'm happy with my choice, and that my expectations have been widely exceeded," declares the Lombard technician to tuttobiciweb's microphone.

The debut in the caravan at Tirreno-Adriatico, where Lidl-Trek secured two stage wins with Milan. Following that, the Giro d'Italia with victories by Carlos Verona, Daan Hoole, and Mads Pedersen's five wins, arriving at the final in Rome in the cyclamen jersey. Sangalli recounts: "The Giro d'Italia was the race that gave me the most emotions, one of the highest moments of the season. We proved to be a team with a capital T, cohesive, where athletes and staff work together to achieve a goal. I was very sorry that Ciccone was forced to withdraw after the fall, he had prepared the Giro very well. However, I fondly remember Carlos Verona's dedication to Giulio after the Asiago victory, the strength of our team is the group, and that small gesture made it evident."

Then, praising Pedersen, he adds: "Mads is a true champion on the bike and a great man. He is a cornerstone of Lidl Trek, which is why he has a 'lifetime' contract with the team."

Sangalli also fondly remembers that the men's World Tour team has made a hat-trick this season: Pedersen won the points classification at the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta Espana, while Milan finished wearing the green jersey in Paris after rejoicing for stage wins in Laval and Valence. "Johnny is one of the strongest sprinters in the world, and this season he has proven it repeatedly, and on prestigious 'stages'," Paolo emphasizes with pride.

Not only World Tour and not only the men's team, however. The Lombard technician tells us that during the year he also led the men's development team and collaborated in some races of the women's calendar. "In Lidl-Trek, technicians are not 'assigned' to a team but, depending on needs and calendar, each Sports Director can guide both World Tour teams and the 'Future' formation. This - Sangalli tells us - allows for a broad view of the entire structure, getting to know athletes, female athletes, and staff, and not remaining 'fixed' on just one part of the team."

He continues: "Personally, I greatly appreciated this work method developed over the years by General Manager Guercilena and Performance Manager Larrazabal: it allowed me to gain experiences that would have taken three seasons otherwise."

In the American team, everything is managed collectively and with maximum sharing. Sangalli emphasizes this multiple times, also explaining how information flow and communication are crucial: "In Lidl-Trek, communication is a key point. All Team Sports Directors receive timely information about riders simultaneously, regardless of whether they are part of the World Tour team, women's team, or development team. Another confirmation of how our team is united, not just in racing but especially at a management and operational level."

Our conversation continues, and through stories, experiences, and emotions, Paolo takes us into the Lidl Trek reality. A world - or rather a galaxy, given the number of men and women comprising the structure led by General Manager Luca Guercilena - where we understand the technician feels perfectly at ease. "I'll repeat what I said at the beginning, I'm really happy to have chosen Lidl Trek, my first year here has been truly beautiful. Now we're thinking about the new season: we've already been to Germany, guests at Lidl headquarters, and we have two training camps on the agenda, one soon and then again in January."

Sangalli doesn't need many words to make it clear that the goal for the approaching year at Lidl-Trek is well-defined: to be even more competitive and improve upon a 2025 that was of the highest level. Lidl-Trek men and women are already working diligently to ensure the next is another great season, starting from the first official appointments in Australia.

Photo: Sangalli archive