Team Vorarlberg extends contracts with Emanuel Zangerle and Pirmin Benz – Italian duo Giacomo Ballabio and Ignazio Cireddu join the 2026 squad
Team Vorarlberg extends contracts with Emanuel Zangerle and Pirmin Benz – Italian duo Giacomo Ballabio and Ignazio Cireddu bring further momentum to the squad
The development of young talent continues to progress within the Vorarlberg team. They have successfully reached an agreement with the strong 25-year-old Emanuel Zangerle (AUT), as well as with the German Pirmin Benz. The hard-working rider is entering his fourth year with Team Vorarlberg. Joining the team from Italy are the successful Giacomo Ballabio (27) and the young Sardinian Ignazio Cireddu (21). On the other hand, Alexander Konychev is leaving the team. He is moving to a team in China. The team thanks “Alex” for his outstanding contributions, especially last season.
Statement from Emanuel Zangerle: “I’m really looking forward to my second season with Team Vorarlberg. After a successful year in which I impressed both as a support rider and with my own results, I’m highly motivated to build on that in 2025. My goal is to further my development and take on a leadership role in selected one-day races. I’m hungry for success and want to deliver strong performances again, especially at the season highlights, and repay the team’s trust with results.”
Information about Emanuel Zangerle (25): https://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/emanuel-zangerle
Statement from Pirmin Benz: “This is my fourth year with the team. I have quite a few goals for the coming year. On the one hand, to do my job for the team, but on the other hand, to develop myself even further. With the numerous stage races I’ve participated in so far, I’ve been able to lay a good foundation. I want to build on that.”
Information on Pirmin Benz (24): https://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/pirmin-benz//
Statement by Giacomo Ballabio: “After a successful year in Austria with Team Hrinkow, I am very happy to continue in 2026 with a team that has such a rich history and such high ambitions. I will give my best to achieve the team’s goals and my personal objectives. I am looking forward to joining Team Vorarlberg.”
Information on Giacomo Ballabio (27): https://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/giacomo-ballabio//
Statement by Ignazio Cireddu: “This move from Team Area Zero Caffe Mokambo is an excellent opportunity for me to develop further. After two intense years in Italy, where I was able to compete against the best U23 talents, I am ready to prove myself internationally. Team Vorarlberg has an excellent reputation for developing young talent, and I look forward to contributing to their goals and competing in top-class races in Europe.”
Information on Ignazio Cireddu (21): https://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/ignazio-cireddu
Thomas Kofler – Team Manager: “We certainly did ourselves a favor by re-signing Emanuel. He showed some strong performances this season, but he hasn’t yet reached his full potential. I’m convinced there’s more to come from him, which we’ll be pleased to see. The same goes for Giacomo Ballabio. He’s raced against us a lot this year. His aggressive riding style suits us. We believe our race program is ideally suited to him. His compatriot Cireddu, although still very young at 21, has already received excellent training. We want to give him the opportunity to take the next step with us at Team Vorarlberg.”
Keep on riding!
Press service Team Vorarlberg
