Luca Vergallito: the road to World Tour
We chat with Luca Vergallito about his passion outside cycling and his recent signing with Alpecin-Deceuninck after his success with Zwift Academy.
Who is Luca Vergallito?
My life is not only cycling, I am also passionate about performance and studying. In 2020, I completed my three-year course at the Sport Sciences University and right now I am completing my master’s degree.
The thing I love the most about studying Sport Sciences is being able to put the things I learnt into practice, which is why I've been combining study with coaching for more than three years now.
But from now on, the priorities will change!
You are having an 'unusual' career, would you like to tell us about it?
I started competing during the first year of the junior category, quite late by modern standards! As if that wasn't enough, some injuries kept me out for the whole season. The following year I made up for it, and thanks to a victory I was convinced that I had what it took to do well in the Under 23 category.
However, the first few years as an Under 23 proved to be tough. The category change combined with having to complete my high school studies produced a series of discouraging results that led me to stop racing after just two years.
At the beginning of 2019 I began to ride some Granfondo events, from here on my potential started to grow.
The Zwift Academy is a great opportunity, we all know how it ends - tell us how you approached the contest.
I followed the Zwift Academy for quite some years, but timing was never on my side - starting in September I was not yet ready to move from the road to the rollers! The turning point came in the beginning of 2022, when I moved to Belgium for an internship, due to my work schedule and the classic Flemish weather Zwift became my major training partner.
Back in Italy I took part in some Zwift competitions with the main Italian indoor cycling team, the numbers were there and the results too, I was convinced to sign up...it turned out pretty well.
And then finally came the contract with Alpecin-Deceuninck, how was first impact with your new teammates?
During the academy I had the opportunity to ride with five Alpecin-Deceuninck riders, including Mathieu Van Der Poel. A few weeks later, during a training camp in Spain, I met the rest of the team.
The relationship with the other riders got off in the right way. They welcomed me enthusiastically into the team and I feel I have made the best possible introduction. I can't wait to start racing with them!
You already rode some kilometres with our Aeroad, how do you feel about our speed machine?
A few years ago I had the opportunity to train with my father's Canyon Ultimate, being able to ride with the Canyon brand during my first professional experience is a real pleasure for me.
For these first months I'm using the Canyon Aeroad, which is a speed demon - the feeling of speed that it gives me is unparalleled. I'm also very curious to try the new Ultimate, which will be my choice on the climbs.
Do you already know your calendar? Which race would you like to compete in?
There's not a defined calendar yet, I'm currently recovering from a minor injury and will roughly start racing in April. The team's goal is to make me grow gradually, making me become confident with the dynamics of the group and competitions again after a few years off.
I will start with minor circuits, where I can gain the necessary experience to be ready for the semi-classics in autumn. Challenging races with a lot of climbing, the terrain where I can express myself at my best.
What are your favourite training locations?
I lived in Milan city centre, so I often find myself forced to get close to the climbs by car, which is why I used to train around Lake Como.
Being a climber, much of my specific work requires long climbs, so when I'm not training along the lake I go to the Bormio area. The Cancano Lakes climb is my reference point for my condition.
Discover our Road Bikes
Did this article help?
Thank you for your feedback
Related Stories
