Viganò reading the latest news (Image credit: Gregor Brown)
Up and coming rider Davide Viganò recently finished his first full season with one of cycling's powerhouse squads, Quick-Step. The 22 year-old Italian capped off his 2006 season by riding in the services of experienced compatriot Paolo Bettini at the Vuelta a España. Gregor Brown of Cyclingnews discovered more about Viganò at the team's training camp in Marina di Bibbona.
Professional since August 2005, Viganò is willing to let his legs speak for themselves while busy trying to learn all he can from his fellow teammates. He does not care to talk of himself unless asked and seemed more concerned with our drive down to the camp (south of Livorno) than his own palmarès. "Did you encounter lots of traffic? It can be very bad near Milano," Viganò asked when we first met.
When pressed, the rider from Carate Brianza (north of Milano) opened up. "I am still under my first contract as a pro," he said. "I signed in mid-2005 and have a contract that will run through next year, 2007."
The Belgium-based team is starting to see that Viganò is a valuable commodity. He spent three weeks of the Vuelta a España working for Paolo Bettini, who was preparing for the upcoming World Championship. Viganò could often be seen helping his Italian teammate in the finale.
"Completo," is how Viganò describes his riding style. "I am a complete rider. I go well in the sprints, and also on the climbs. I finished the Vuelta this year, and it was good for me after a hard start to the season. I had back pains that were not allowing me to race and it took too long to go away."
