'It takes the pressure off me a bit' - Riccitello on being in the spotlight with Seixas at Volta ao Algarve

Decathlon CMA CGM’s capture of Matthew Riccitello seemed like quite the coup when the talented 23-year-old American climber broke new ground by finishing 5th at the Vuelta a España and winning the white jersey. 

To those around him at the time, the result wasn’t a major surprise. For example, Riccitello’s then teammate George Bennett gave great credit to the American for his performance at the Vuelta when speaking to Domestique in November following the transfer.

“It was so good to see him show what he could do, because he’s a bloody nice kid, you know, and I respect his work ethic, he lives cycling,” Bennett told Domestique. “It’s great to see his hard work." 

The early signs indicate that it was a transfer well worth it for the French team, with Riccitello winning a stage and the GC at the Tour de la Provence, which finished just three days before the start of the Volta ao Algarve.

Riccitello beat Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos Grenadiers) on the all-important stage 2 that finished atop the snowy Montagne de Lure.

It was a performance and result that gave the American rider plenty of confidence coming into the Portuguese stage race.

“Yeah, so far so good. I think it’s really nice to start the season like that in Provence, and it gives a lot of motivation going forward. The whole team is excited about the year ahead,” Riccitello told Domestique ahead of the start of the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve.

Riccitello talked up the prospects of French prodigy and teammate Seixas, and pointed to the natural advantages of having two riders competitive in the GC battle, while also indicating that more attention will be placed on the Frenchman from a GC perspective.

“We’ve got Paul [Seixas] here. He is a big favourite for the GC, and I think the team has high hopes for him here,” explained Riccitello. 

“And yeah, obviously I would like to be up there with him also as a bit of a GC rider, and I think it’s always good to have two guys up there in a race like this. We will see on the road, but for sure he [Seixas] is one of the main guys for the race.”

In turn, Riccitello was asked if the focus on Seixas reduces some of the pressure on his own shoulders.

“Yeah, for sure. You have two guys here, Paul is a big favourite, so maybe it takes the pressure off me a bit. But for sure, I’m feeling good.”

There are plenty of key stages at the Volta ao Algarve where the GC contenders will be looking to test themselves, and Riccitello gave his thoughts on the route as a whole, particularly Thursday's summit finish atop the Alto da Fóia on stage 2.

“Stage 2 and stage 5 on paper, I think they are the days when the big differences can be made, and of course, the TT,” said Riccitello. “Between those three days, I think that’s where the differences will be made, not huge differences, but for sure.”

The form is good, the mentality is good, and all signs indicate that Riccitello will continue his positive trajectory as a rider in 2026 with his new team.