'It will be up to them to use my advice' – Cattaneo joins Red Bull to support Evenepoel and guide Pellizzari

As he settled into the rhythm of the Italian camp, Cattaneo outlined his immediate ambitions to bici.pro. “We will talk about the different tactics once the other riders arrive for the road race. For now we are focused on the two time trials. On paper, the course suits my characteristics quite well. The goal is the same as always, to finish in the top ten. Hopefully as far forward as possible. It will be very difficult to reach the podium, but if I can finish between seventh and tenth, I would be happy.”

That measured outlook reflects a rider who has built his career on reliability rather than spectacle. It is also the quality that Red Bull hopes to harness for their young group, where one of the most promising names is Giulio Pellizzari, the 21-year-old Italian who will join Cattaneo in Kigali.

“I believe and I hope I can be a point of reference for him,” Cattaneo said. “I do not know Giulio very well, but I think he is very ambitious, and rightly so given what he has shown. I think I can be a good guide in certain races. But he has to be Giulio Pellizzari, not Mattia Cattaneo or anyone else,” he explained.

“With my leaders, I always give my honest and sincere opinion. From there, I just do my job, and it is up to them to decide whether to listen, what to listen to, and how to use my advice.”

That philosophy is rooted in the consistency and versatility that have defined his career. “In recent years, I have found a balance in the type of work I do, and this allows me to still be supportive even when I am not at one hundred percent. When I am in good shape, my work might last a hundred kilometres, otherwise I focus on a smaller distance. But I always manage to do my job. I will praise myself for that,” Cattaneo said.

He admitted that self-praise was justified. “In my career, I have been good at finding my own dimension, which allows me to do my job in the best way possible. I think that is the hardest thing in sport in general.”

“I manage to be in the right place at the right time. In time trials, I am consistent, not a champion, but always among the good ones, let’s say. I am one of the few riders who can help in a sprint train and also stay alongside the leader in the mountains. I think that versatility is my strength,” he reflected.

Cattaneo admits the move comes at the right moment after six years at Quick-Step. “At my age, after the career I have had, to feel so welcomed by a team like this is very gratifying. I was happy at Quick-Step, but for the last years of my career, an extra push in a new environment certainly does no harm. I am really happy. I think I can bring a valuable package of experience to a young group. In my career, I have seen a lot, both positive and negative.”

Evenepoel’s transfer to Red Bull inevitably shaped the decision. “Honestly, I already had contacts before Remco began negotiations, but naturally, his arrival accelerated things. His move to Red Bull certainly played an important role. We have an excellent relationship, and for some years now, he has trusted me a lot in important race situations.”

As for 2026, detailed planning can wait. “No, honestly, not yet. First, I want to finish this season well with the World Championships and then the Italian races through to Lombardia. Once that is done, we will focus on the new adventure. The first meeting, to get to know each other and talk, should be at the end of October.”