Lidl-Trek confirm Ciccone exit as Il Lombardia marks final race

Lidl-Trek have confirmed that Giulio Ciccone will part ways with the German team at the end of the 2026 season. 

The 31-year-old Italian, who joined the team from Bardiani-CSF back in 2019, will pull on the Lidl-Trek colours for the final time this Saturday at Il Lombardia as he aims to become the first Italian winner since Vincenzo Nibali back in 2017. 

Lidl-Trek confirmed the news on Friday, stating: “After eight seasons together, the Team and Giulio Ciccone have reached the mutual decision to part ways, which means Il Lombardia will be the Italian’s final race in Lidl-Trek colours.”

Prior to this announcement, there had already been plenty of speculation that the Italian was set to leave the German team this year, despite having a contract which ran through until the end of the 2029 season.

Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport have indicated that Ciccone’s next destination would be Pinarello-Q36.5, with the 31-year-old expected to sign a three-year deal with the Swiss ProTeam, who have already been very active in the transfer market. 

During his eight seasons with Lidl-Trek, Ciccone scored ten victories, including two stages of the Giro d’Italia in 2019 and 2022, respectively, as well as the Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa in 2025. 

In addition, Ciccone won the mountains prize at the Giro in 2019 and 2026, and at the Tour de France in 2023. Ciccone also wore the yellow jersey for two days in the 2019 Tour, before wearing the pink jersey for a stage for the first time this year at the Giro.

The confirmation of Ciccone's departure means that Lidl-Trek now have an extra spot available on their roster for 2027, which could pave the way for the potential arrival of Filippo Ganna, who has been heavily linked with the German team in recent days.