The winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23 from last Saturday, Francesco Busatto, will step up from Circus-ReUz-Technord to Intermarché-Circus-Wanty on 1st of January and will thus become professional within the structure of Jean-François Bourlart until at least the end of 2025.
The puncher with fast legs alternated a race programme with both teams since the start of the season. He immediately distuinguished himself in the pro peloton in challenging races such as the Muscat Classic (4th), the Brabantse Pijl (14th) or the Faun Drôme Classic (21st).
In the jersey of Circus-ReUz-Technord the 20 year old from Bassano del Grappo became the first Italian winner of the U23 version of La Doyenne, after a sixth place in the final classification of Circuit des Ardennes and a second place behind teammate Alexy Faure in La Get Up Cup.
« I had the privilege to discover the working of the structure of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty. It is a perfect environment for young riders like me. Everything is put in place to stimulate a gradual progression, without pressure. The good atmosphere reigning within Circus-ReUz-Technord and Intermarché-Circus-Wanty definitely plays a role. We are one big family. I'm proud that I managed to show myself between the pros and I feel like the end of this season is the right moment to step up to the highest level. I realize that I can still make a lot of progression. During the races and the training camps with the World Team I experienced that the team can help me to make the next steps. Pursuing this adventure in a Belgian team is a beautiful chance, I want to thank the team. »
« Before, I want to continue my good start of the season because I am ambitious for the most prestigious U23 races of the season. The many pro races prepared me in an excellent way. I can better deal with the accelerations and I start the finals with more energy left. I have full confidence in the race calendar Kévin Van Melsen and Aike Visbeek established for me. They know my capabilities and matched them to the races in my programme. Their planning from past winter enables me to concentrate on my goals for a long time in advance. Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23 was one of these important goals. My victory of last Saturday still resonates and inspires me to win more races. It increased my belief in my capabilities towards the Flèche Ardennaise and the Tryptique Ardennais, my next races with Circus-ReUz-Technord. My ultimate dream with Circus-ReUz-Technord is to achieve a stage victory in the Baby Giro and to conquer a spot in the Squadra Azzura for the U23 World Championships in Glasgow. »
« Last autumn, after recruiting him for our development project, Francesco Busatto showed in the Piccolo Lombardia and Veneto Classic that he was ready to combine a programme of races with the U23 and the pros from 2023. We immediately offered him the opportunity to show himself in February, which he did with verve in Oman. His mentality and professionalism immediately convinced us that he deserved a spot in our World Team. He will be a perfect fit in our roster because many races of our calendar suit his profile of puncher with fast legs. After his prestigious win in Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23 we are proud to announce that he will make the step up to our World Team at the end of the year. »
« This moment makes us very proud, because Francesco and our structure worked hard to concretize this. Both team made efforts to think ahead and to ensure the best possible cooperation. The combined programmes of Francesco and Roel van Sintmaartendijk are an excellent example. Both participated to the full winter preparation of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty. In February, they already finished a stage race with the World Team. Today, we notice that they develop fast in all aspects, not only physically but also in terms of teamwork for example. »
« The working of our Development team also deserves to be accentuated. With the support of our trainer Christophe Prémont, all riders improved their physical abilities. Sports director Kévin Van Melsen managed to create an excellent cohesion between the riders, who were originally racing for fifteen different teams. I’m especially impressed by the teamwork our U23 riders show in each race and I sincerely mean that. It is fantastic to see that the plan we had in mind works out so soon and with success. Together we manage to improve young talents and to develop them into riders ready for the pro ranks. I’m convinced that we’ll benefit a lot from the talents emerging through our Continental Development team. »
« We launched Circus-ReUz-Technord with the mission to prepare young talents to turn pro with Intermarché-Circus-Wanty or on the Pro Continental level. I’m very proud that one of our elements will step up to our World Team from 2024. It proves that our development structure is efficient and that the devotion of all people involved bears fruit. »
« Francesco Busatto showed his capabilities with great distinction, both in the jersey of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty and Circus-ReUz-Technord. He’s a rider who prepares in a professional and meticulous way. Francesco has a good understanding of race tactics and has the skills to stay well positioned all race, which is an important advantage in modern cycling as the decision can be made at any moment. »
« We managed to lead him to his very first victory last Saturday on the occasion of Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23. It shows that we know how to prepare our riders on a tactical, physical and mental level to achieve their goals. This is our ambition: to do what we can to help our riders reaching a new step in their careers. Witnessing the progression of Francesco and his teammates gives our staff a big motivation to help them with all details. »
