On November 6, Zwift Academy 2023 will launch. Looking for new talent. At least, that's what Zwift has accomplished in recent years. We at Alpecin-Deceuninck can talk about it.
Jay Vine won the Zwift Academy in 2020. We know how the Australian has fared in the meantime. He got a pro contract with Alpecin-Deceuninck and - partly due to intense coaching - he quickly grew to the top of cycling, with two stage wins in the 2022 Vuelta as ultimate achievement. Despite another year under contract, the management of Alpecin-Deceuninck let him move on to the wealthy Team UAE. Matter of not slowing Vine down.
Bogna extended
A year later, it was Alex Bogna who became a Zwift Academy winner. Alex needs a little more time, but also he is developing fine and that is now rewarded with a contract extension for 2024 in our development team.
"Alex has had a good consistent season, starting well in his National championships in Australia with a 3rd place", says teamcoach Elliot Lipsky. "He was able to grow in various aspects of European racing, learning to be a reliable team player, and go for his own opportunities, as reflected with his podium place in Giro Valle d'Aosta, and strong GC result in Giro Friuli. The target for the upcoming year is to try and improve on his nationals result of last year, and achieve more podium places and aiming for a victory!"
Il bandito
Last but not least, in 2022 Luca Vergallito became overall winner of the increasingly prestigious Academy. Il Bandito, as his nickname sounds, actually grew from our development team to the WorldTeam in one year. We let the Italian speak for himself.
Last but not least, in 2022 Luca Vergallito became overall winner of the increasingly prestigious Academy. Il Bandito, as his nickname sounds, actually grew from our development team to the WorldTeam in one year. We let the Italian speak for himself.
"Honestly? Zwift Academy has completely changed my life," says an enthusiastic Vergallito. "And to be clear, I am obviously extremely happy with it." Luca is grateful for the opportunity he was given. "Becoming a pro was a childhood dream. But through the classic way it didn't work out. I left cycling after the youth categories So of course, I am extremely grateful that at a slightly later age I got a second chance thanks to the Zwift Academy."
And Vergallito, meanwhile, proved that that win in the Academy was no fluke. "I had some doubts myself anyway. Was I good enough? I came under the wing of team coach Philipp Walsleben, with whom I quickly built a good relationship. We worked hard and achieved better results than I expected. There was - and still is - a lot of work to do. Especially tactically as well as practically. I was away from racing for four, five years. Then you have to re-learn a few things. Like riding in the peloton. The tactical aspect is also important. But together with the team we worked on that."
Due to some nice performances, Vergallito will become a Wordltour rider on 1 January 2024. "I am super excited. My ultimate goal is to win a stage in a big tour one day. The road is still long, but provided we keep working hard and with the support of the team, I believe it can be done."
More info on the 2023 Zwift Academy: https://www.zwift.com/uk/zwift-academy
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