Italian prodigy moves on after Geox-TMC stint
Fabio Felline has become the latest Geox-TMC rider to find an alternative team slot for 2012, with the promising young Italian opting for a contract with the Androni Giocattoli – CIPI team.
The 21 year old has inked a two year deal with Gianni Savio’s team, and will seek to continue his progression there. He has picked up some solid results in his two year pro career, including two stage wins plus the overall in the 2010 Circuit de Lorraine and a stage victory in this year’s Brixia Tour.
“He’s a natural talent,” said Savio, “a young man who has already reached a good psycho-physical balance, and who could find in our team the ideal place for his complete fulfilment.”
Felline turned pro at just 19 years of age with the Footon Servetto team and, two days before his 20th birthday, finished an impressive tenth in the E3 Prijs Vlaanderen – Harelbeke.
His other high placings since then have included eleventh in the prologue of the 2010 Tour de Romandie, seventh on a stage of that year’s Tour de Suisse, plus top ten finishes this year in races such as the Vuelta a la Rioja, Memorial Marco Pantani, and on stages of the Vuelta a la Comunidad de Madrid, Circuit de Lorraine and Vuelta a Burgos.
Savio’s team focuses mainly on the Giro d’Italia and if he is in form, Felline could have a chance to ride the first Grand Tour of the season.
Other confirmed Androni Giocattoli – CIPI riders for next season are Giro stage winner Jose Rujano, Emanuele Sella, Jose Serpa and Tour de Langkawi champion Jonathan Monsalve.