Today Matteo Milan turns 23 and is ready to tackle 2026 with great enthusiasm. It's the year of the big leap for the young Friulian who, after two seasons in the development team of Lidl Trek, will dive into the professional world with the Groupama FDJ jersey. The French team was one of many interested in Matteo, proposing a concrete project lasting at least three years where he will represent one of the core members of the new sprint group. This is the beginning of a completely new adventure that could bring some pleasant surprises.

Matteo is enthusiastic about a choice he certainly didn't take lightly. He evaluated, compared, and sought help from his family and brother Jonathan to get a comprehensive view. The Groupama Team not only put a good project on the table but also has a structure and equipment that immediately excited him. For 2026, he will be followed by Luca Festa, another new team member, which will help simplify things while he improves his French. "I was pleasantly surprised by the group and the entire team structure, which pays attention to every detail. I was a bit worried about adapting to the new bike and materials, but the impact was immediately excellent, and I'm feeling really good. My coach is Italian, and this is truly helping me. With Luca Festa, there's very open and constant communication, and most importantly, I'm dealing with someone who shares my mentality and understands me, helping me have fewer worries and concentrate better on what I'm doing." Matteo will be one of the sprint leaders alongside Paul Penhoet. The team's goal is to create a young group of sprinters, rebuilding the structure that until three years ago fully supported Arnaud Demare. It's an ambitious multi-year project aimed at investing in young talents and helping them grow step by step.

Talking to Matteo about sprints is now completely normal, but what if we told you it wasn't always like this? When we ask him to tell us the whole story, a laugh almost escapes him. Until about a year ago, he was convinced he would become a climber. "At the beginning, I wanted to become a climber, definitely wanting to differentiate myself from my brother who was already a sprinter, but mostly because it was what I actually liked doing. During my two years with Lidl Trek, I experimented a lot, did specific training, worked on my physique, but the results weren't coming. I was given a lot of freedom, and in 2025 I started to see that I was very good in sprints, and most importantly, it felt natural and instinctive, something I felt inside. For years, I had tried to be something else, and instead, my path was the most obvious one. Once I understood this, I put all my energy into that clear goal. Gradually, my confidence increased, and victories started coming. Now I'm convinced it's the right choice." Matteo explains that within the Lidl Trek development team, he was able to experiment and ultimately find his path. It might seem obvious, but it's not. Young athletes need to try, perhaps make mistakes, and find the right way, emerging stronger. "I'm truly grateful to Lidl Trek for this opportunity. I believe it could become an added value in the future," Matteo continues. "I know what it means to do exhausting training, trying to become a type of rider that you're not. In all this difficulty, I felt very strengthened both as an athlete and as a person. In current cycling, there are fewer and fewer pure sprinters, a figure that is gradually disappearing, and it's crucial to be able to handle even short climbs."

Everything is new and exciting for young Milan. There's much to learn, and now that he's understood sprints are part of his nature, he's determined to become the best version of himself. In his family, someone not only knows about sprints but is one of the best in the world. The comparison with his brother Jonathan seems automatic and is something beautiful. If someone from the outside might think the benchmark could be overwhelming, Matteo explains that it's exactly the opposite. The two often compare notes, train together, exchange advice, and most importantly, try to spur each other on. The arrival of the younger Milan in Groupama is further confirmation that Matteo has the strength and determination to create his own path, regardless of who he is or where he comes from. The pressure exists, it's natural, but it comes from the desire for personal growth rather than comparison with others. "I have a wonderful relationship with my brother, who always tries to bring out the best in me. Thinking about his great results truly motivates me. There's no competition, just the push to improve. I've never felt the weight of coming from the same family; on the contrary, I'm proud. Now that we're both sprinters, there's the possibility of facing each other in a sprint. It's something we've joked about a lot, and we both can't wait."

Milan's main goal is to find his place in the group, become the best version of himself first for himself and then for everyone else. There will be plenty of time to think big later. His 2026 program includes a steady growth path with races in France, Belgium, and small stage races, while participation in a grand tour is excluded, as it always risks burning out unnecessarily prematurely. His debut is set for February 16th at the UAE Tour, and it seems the race could be truly interesting. The reason? For the first time, he will face his brother Jonathan, and however it ends, it will be an unforgettable emotion for everyone.