With the retirement from professional racing of Elia Viviani at the end of last season, DMT lost its precious and historic Italian reference within the professional peloton. Out of passion and expertise, the Olympic champion remains one of the key testimonials for the Verona-based company, but on the road it will be up to Andrea Vendrame to carry the Italian flag for DMT.

"It's a baton pass between Venetians, let's put it that way" - Vendrame said with a laugh. "I know how much Elia has given to the company and continues to give, also because I know how meticulous and detail-oriented he is. DMT has many projects for the future and I'll be very happy to collaborate and give advice whenever needed"

From Santa Lucia di Piave in the Treviso province, born in 1994, 'Vendramix', as his fans call him, moved this year to Jayco AlUla after six fruitful seasons with Decathlon, previously AG2R. He has won two stages at the Giro d'Italia, both at the end of long breakaways: the first in 2021 at Bagno di Romagna, the second, solo, in 2024 at Sappada. From this year onwards, he can count on DMT shoes, wearing the top-of-the-range model with laces, the Pogi's Superlight.

"The first time I tried DMT shoes, I had the sensation of wearing a sock, they were so light" - Vendrame admitted again. "On the bike, I also noticed maximum comfort, which is the main characteristic an athlete looks for. I had never used a laced shoe before, so at first I was a bit hesitant, but talking with Nicola Minali (DMT's Research & Development manager, ed.) I understood how the 3D mesh upper and the rigid carbon sole manage to wrap the foot perfectly. I tested them both in sprints and climbs, they never slip off, they're one with the foot, exactly what I was looking for. As a product, honestly, I wouldn't change it anymore".

Vendrame has been the protagonist of one of the best season starts of his career, with many prestigious placements, particularly the 6th place at Milan-San Remo, and 11th in the general classification in a tough race like Tirreno-Adriatico. The move to Jayco AlUla has brought the Treviso native greater conviction and confidence in his abilities.

"I was doing well at Decathlon, otherwise I wouldn't have stayed there for 6 years, but it was a team change that was needed, mentally and physically" - the 31-year-old continues. "Now I'm listened to more, the sports directors always ask me for my opinion or advice, and this total involvement, honestly, I really like. If a victory had also come, it would have been truly the perfect season start. However, in the races I wanted to go strong, Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan-San Remo, I managed to be up there. But we have to be realistic, we're facing super athletes, from Pogačar to Van der Poel and Del Toro, being up there competing with them and placing well is already something important. We have to keep trying and always bring home the best possible result".

He has already flown to Bulgaria, where on Friday, May 8th, he will start his 9th Giro d'Italia. The objective is the one that has accompanied him to the Corsa Rosa for some years now: to go on the attack and try to bring home a partial success. Already on the second day, at Veliko Tarnovo, there could be a great opportunity to make a mark with a very chaotic finale, but three weeks are long and anything can happen.

"I've marked down 4-5 interesting stages" - explains Vendrame. "The second one is definitely nice, there will probably be the Pink Jersey at stake, it will be quite chaotic, with everyone wanting to be up front, but it will be an objective for many and everyone will still be fresh. I usually prefer the stages further on, when fatigue increases. The objective is to win a stage, I'm counting on showing myself often in breakaways, while having Ben O'Connor in the team who will aim for the general classification. If I manage to do it, I could already say it's been an excellent 2026".