There is no doubt that Tommaso Dati is one of the names to be counted among the most beautiful surprises of the season. Having joined Team UKYO after a 2025 spent between Biesse-Carrera-Premac and Cofidis (as a stagiaire), the twenty-four-year-old from Camaiore rolled up his sleeves and, making the most of the hard work done in the winter months, strung together a series of victories (8, including the Mediterranean Games, a stage at the Settimana Coppi e Bartali and one at the Tour of the Alps) ultimately earning himself the spotlight.

This attention has brought the class of 2002 a signature on his first professional contract with XDS Astana, a team that, thanks to the two-year deal signed a few weeks ago, will allow him from January 2027 to compete at World Tour level against some of the greatest exponents of contemporary professional cycling.

For Dati, therefore, who grew up between GS Maltinti and Mastromarco before joining Biesse under Marco Milesi's guidance, the right recognition has arrived for a memorable season that has made him the fourth most successful Italian of the season after Jonathan Milan, Lorenzo Finn and Matteo Malucelli, and will lead him, after just one season, away from Ukyo Katayama's team.

The latter, after Fancellu, Carboni, Pesenti and Malucelli himself, has once again demonstrated its ability to work excellently in launching (or relaunching) the careers of some riders by putting them in a position to emerge and begin a path toward professionalism that, most recently, will be undertaken by Dati himself.

Before turning his mind and body to the future, however, the Tuscan will try to close his adventure in white and red colors well by trying to give new satisfaction both to himself and to Alberto Volpi and Manuele Boaro, who, as he himself explained to our microphones, have taught him so much during this long season.

Tommaso, Team UKYO has certainly been a great school for you, being able to count in 2026 on figures like Volpi and Boaro: what will they leave you with?

"Undoubtedly a lot of experience and a lot of working method. They have this imprint of working the way professionals do, trying, in short, to shape us as best as possible for the future and for the top category, and this is certainly something I will carry with me. It's thanks to them that in 2027 the professional world won't appear to me as a completely new context".

Did you expect this type of performance and results at the beginning of the year?

"To be honest, no, I didn't expect this kind of results. I knew I could have my say in many races, but from there to getting eight seasonal victories is quite a leap. In the end, I can say it went much better than I imagined".

Your transition to the World Tour will likely be made somewhat simpler by the fact that XDS Astana is a very Italian environment.

"Exactly, and in fact, this aspect also influenced my choice. Certainly moving to the top category and finding a more Italian environment will definitely make me feel a bit more calm and serene".

Have you already spoken about next year with Vinokourov or other Astana figures?

"I've spoken mostly with Mazzoleni. Both he and others have told me in general about the project they have in mind for me, which, for now, remains just a draft. I'm certainly motivated and happy to turn professional in a World Tour team because for me it's a dream coming true. First, however, I want to try to finish the season well with Team UKYO".

Your wish for 2027?

"Repeating the season I had this year would be truly fantastic, it would confirm the quality of the work done in these months. The dream? To ride the Giro d'Italia, even though, as always, there will be a lot of work to do to earn a spot".