UAE Team L'IMAD announces the appointment of Gian Paolo Mondini to its technical staff starting from the 2027 season. A former professional cyclist, Psychology graduate, and for 14 years a key reference point for professional teams and athletes in his role at Specialized, Mondini brings a cross-functional professional profile capable of combining direct knowledge of competition, technical expertise, and attention to the mental aspects of performance. Originally from Faenza and based in Mercato Saraceno, in Romagna, Mondini raced as a professional for eight seasons, from 1996 to 2003, achieving around fifteen victories. Among his most prestigious results are his victory in the 18th stage of the 1999 Tour de France, the overall classification win at the 1997 Tour of Sweden, and the Italian time trial championship title in 2003.

 After concluding his racing career, Mondini continued his professional journey by working in the family business and earning a degree in Psychology, a discipline he considers fundamental for understanding the mental mechanisms and individual dynamics that influence an athlete's performance.

 His subsequent 14-year experience at a bicycle company allowed him to develop in-depth knowledge of the world of materials and technology applied to professional cycling. In his role as Team Liaison, he served as the connection point between the company, teams, and athletes, participating in material testing and development processes aimed at improving performance. This experience enabled him to collaborate with numerous international champions such as Contador, Sagan, Alaphilippe, Evenepoel, and to gain a privileged insight into the technical needs of top-level teams.

 In 2025, he joined the SD Worx-Protime staff as sporting director, beginning a new phase of his career and putting his diverse skill set at the team's disposal.

 "I was particularly impressed by the team spirit that UAE Team L'IMAD demonstrated throughout this season. I have repeatedly seen different athletes attacking together, with courage and determination: it's a way of racing that I would like to see in every competition. I am also fascinated by the ambition to build a team capable of competing at the highest levels of world cycling for many years, following a path of growth and consolidation," says Gian Paolo Mondini.

 "I believe I can contribute by making available not only my experience as a former professional, but also the expertise I have developed in the materials sector and in performance development. In modern cycling, the details and those small advantages we call marginal gains can make a significant difference. I would like to help the team identify and exploit them to the best of our ability. At the same time, I want to be someone that all the athletes and all staff members can rely on, with reliability, expertise, and a spirit of collaboration."

 Mondini's arrival represents a further step in UAE Team L'IMAD's growth trajectory, as the team continues to invest in professionalism and experience to consolidate its position at the top of international women's cycling. His ability to integrate competitive perspective, knowledge of materials, and sensitivity to the psychological dimension of the athlete will provide the team with valuable support both in preparation and in competition management.