After his first three years as a professional spent in Solution Tech colors, Lorenzo Quartucci decided this season to give his career a twist by flying to Spain to join Burgos Burpellet BH under Julio Andres Izquierdo, a ProTeam formation that had not had any Italians in its roster since 2014.
Here Quartucci chose, at 27 years old, to spend his fourth (and first abroad) season as a professional, where he will be called upon to match, if not improve, the results achieved in 2025, which he closed with one victory (at the Tour of Thailand), four podiums and fifteen top-10 finishes overall—a mission that, along the way, could lead him to compete in his first Grand Tour in a few months.
On this subject, as well as on how his adaptation is progressing, the points he's earned, and the people he's had the chance to meet in recent months, we spoke with the man himself at the Tour of Hainan, a race where, also thanks to his strong performances in the past, Quartucci arrived with the ambition of achieving a significant result.
Lorenzo, let's take a step back: how did this opportunity come about and how are you settling in?
"I'm doing well. The Burgos environment is family-like and then, being Spanish, the language makes things fairly easy. They had already approached me two years ago but last year I decided to stay for a third consecutive year with Solution Tech, which has always been like a family to me. This year we found the right agreement and, also to try to change things up a bit, I signed with them".
What are the differences in terms of environment, equipment and organization compared to Solution Tech?
"Let's say that, more or less, at a basic level they both work in the same way. Sure, they have different bikes, different wheels, but essentially we're pretty much on the same level".
Burgos received an invitation for the Vuelta and, on that subject, I wanted to ask if you've already discussed the possibility of you going or not...
"I would certainly like to, but they've told me that, being in a Spanish team, I'll have to earn my spot. On my part, therefore, I can only try to do everything possible to perform well and bring points and results to the team: if the opportunity to go materializes in this way, all the better".
Speaking of points: Burgos is a team that pays a lot of attention to this aspect too because, like other ProTeams, it knows that being in the top 30 of the ranking at year's end is crucial for being invited to the Grand Tours. With this goal in mind, how did you decide to approach the season with the team?
"This year I've aimed to do races of somewhat higher quality. Last week, for example, I was in the Basque Country, at the Itzulia, from which I then flew here with the idea of achieving a good result. Certainly now the points issue is very much current because all teams aspire to enter the top thirty to give themselves the chance to access a major stage race, and the team cares a lot about this. With this in mind, it's undeniable that the points on offer here at Hainan are attractive to many, but, apart from that, it must be said that this is anyway a very well-organized race, with beautiful routes and nice roads".
You know it because you've already participated twice and did quite well.
"Exactly, I was here in 2023 and 2024, always finishing in the top ten in the general classification, while last year I didn't come but a teammate and friend of mine, Tsarenko, won. I won't hide that, this season too, I'm keen to do equally well here".
Speaking of races, so far Italian races haven't been included in the team's schedule...
"Yes, the team hasn't taken part in races in Italy for the moment but they've told me that, at the end of the season, we'll do many of the races scheduled between September and October. Obviously, I would hope not to do them because that would mean being committed to the Vuelta, but if I don't go to Spain, I'll clearly take advantage of this opportunity to race in Italy as well".
Do you also find it much more stressful, compared to 3-4 years ago, the atmosphere you breathe because of the exasperation of certain situations and mechanisms?
"Certainly there's much more stress in racing, not only because of the points issue but also because, by now, all teams and riders more or less align themselves and often end up fighting over a general classification by seconds or, as happened to me last year in Taiwan (where I finished fifth overall with the same time as third), for placements".
What do the Burgos sports directors tell you here about what they insist on most with a rider with growth potential like you?
"Actually, the team isn't too pushy with me. They know I'm a capable rider, we plan the best races to do together and we try, consequently, to get the best possible results where we decide to go".
Is there someone who helped you settle in particularly or with whom you've bonded more in these months?
"I've bonded especially with the Spanish guys because many are my age or younger and anyway they're all good people".
But there are also more experienced people like Kudus who is here at Hainan with you...
"Without a doubt. There's him, experienced rider Jesus Herrada, Jetse Bol in the management car, but also Jesus Ezquerra who spent eight years in this team and now works as a sports director: certainly in this team there's a lot to learn".
The goal you'd be happy to finish the season with?
"Undoubtedly winning a race in this jersey".
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