In an increasingly ambitious Unibet Rose Rockets determined to carve out even greater space in professional cycling, Sergio Meris hopes to give further momentum to his own growth by providing an even more concrete contribution to the cause of the popular French team.

Having taken the measure of the professional world in 2025, this year the twenty-four-year-old rider from Bergamo (who came through the ranks of Team Colpack) aims to raise the bar as much as possible by improving the level of his performances and results, a mission with far from certain outcomes in which both the bike change made at the start of the year and the advice received from the many winning and experienced riders who arrived at the team in the last transfer window will certainly have an important impact.

Also helped by these developments, for Meris (winner in 2024 of the Giro del Medio Brenta and author last year of just one top-ten finish in the 2nd stage of the Région Pays de la Loire Tour, finishing in 7th place) the doors to selection for the Giro d'Italia could open in the coming weeks, a race that, along with Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, represents the jewel in the crown of the calendar for the team of Bas Tietema, Josse Wester and Devin van der Wiel, invited to the Corsa Rosa by RCS Sport following the failure to receive an invitation to the Tour de France.

We discussed this opportunity (and more) with the interested party at the Trofeo Laigueglia, the first personal commitment of a week that the young Orobica rider will conclude tomorrow in Tuscany by participating for the first time in his career in the Strade Bianche.

Sergio, second year in Unibet and second year as a professional: what did 2025 leave you with and what is your objective for 2026?

"2025 gave me some good confirmations and allowed me to gain a good level of experience. This year I'm definitely aiming to make myself seen as much as possible, especially in Italian races and in races where we'll be present thanks to wild cards, to further increase the amount of experience and, in general, I'll try to take advantage of every race to get good placings and some good results".

The points issue is still very much current in the team, right?

"Absolutely. The main focus is precisely on scoring as many points as possible and proving that, even though we're a very young team, we can be competitive in important races too".

It's undeniable that this year you've made another step with the arrivals of Lafay, Groenewegen and Poels: what have they brought to the team?

"Victor, Dylan and Wout are all guys who, with their presence, ensure the right dose of experience, that quality and that peace of mind (which comes from the fact that they've taken part in Grand Tours and important classics in their careers) capable of helping everyone in the team, from us riders to the staff".

More than with Dylan during the season, I imagine you'll find yourself racing more often with Victor and Wout: how have they established themselves within the team and what have you asked them?

"They're really good people, very open and positive, people you can ask without problems for advice on how to improve yourself both in racing and in training but also much more".

Speaking of improvements, this year you've changed materials by switching to Rose bikes: how are you getting on?

"The feeling is really very good and in fact, I think my body is better suited to this bike compared to Cannondale. Even in terms of weight, aerodynamics and components I find that everything is excellent so overall I'm very happy".

In recent weeks your participation in the next Giro d'Italia was officially announced: as the only Italian in the team I imagine you're thinking about it and perhaps you've already reflected on how to adjust the calendar to take part in the best way...

"The news, in itself, was important for the team which is now in a moment of study and is evaluating what might be the best strategy to face it and whether to bring more sprinters or more climbers. Certainly, being the only Italian is something I think about, indeed it would be an immense pleasure to participate in it, but we'll see. For now, I have no news about it".

But has a long list already been drawn up?

"There might be a long list but now the team is focusing on what are the objectives of the coming weeks, starting with the Strade Bianche, trying to let us think only about these. Only later will we be told how we'll organize ourselves, if we'll do some altitude training... today nothing is known about it".

Was there disappointment in the team for the missed invitation to the Tour de France?

"Yes, there was because we really cared a lot. The team did everything possible to receive the wild card but unfortunately it didn't go as we hoped. Doing the Giro d'Italia, however, can be positive for a team like ours because it can represent a good intermediate step to take the measure of things in view of even more important appointments in the future".