Vini Zabù sign Kamil Gradek from CCC Team to help Mareczko in sprints

Polish time trial champion Kamil Gradek
Polish time trial champion Kamil Gradek (Image credit: Getty Images)

Polish national time trial champion Kamil Gradek is the latest CCC Team rider to step down a level after the demise of the Polish WorldTour team, joining the Vini Zabù team to support sprinter Jakub Mareczko.

Polish shoe brand CCC massively cut back on its sponsorship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, after team manager Jim Ochowicz failed to find a new sponsor, he sold the WorldTour licence to Circus-Wanty Gobert. That left many of the riders scrambling for new teams but only Michal Paluta, Guillaume Van Keirsbulck and Fran Ventoso are reportedly still without a contract for 2021.  

Vini Zabù have been linked with Fabio Aru as he looks to get his career back on track after three problematic seasons at UAE Team Emirates, with the Tuscany-based team teasing messages on their social media about new signings from the WorldTour. However, Aru has still to confirm his team for 2021, with Qhubeka-Assos and Bardiani-CSF also reportedly in talks with the Sardinian.   

Bardiani-CSF have secured Cipollini bikes as a key technical sponsor for 2021 and convinced Giovanni Visconti to leave Vini Zabù. 

Vini Zabù team manager Angelo Citracca has also taken advantage of the glut of riders on the market to strengthen his team in the hope of securing a wild card invitation to the 2021 Giro d’Italia and other races. He signed Mareczko, who returns to the Italian ProTeam after also riding for CCC Team, and Gradek will play a vital role in his lead out.   

Gradek, one of the tallest riders in the peloton, has ridden the Giro d’Italia in both 2019 and 2020, taking ninth in this year’s time trial to Milan. He is the current Polish national time trial champion after beating the experienced Maciej Bodnar of Bora-Hansgrohe.

"I am glad that after such a hard year for everyone, I found a team in which I will be able to continue my career at the highest level," Gradek said of his move to Vini Zabù. 

"There are new challenges and adventures ahead and certainly a lot of chances to show my potential as well as ride for myself. I want to show what I can do and pay back my new team for their trust with good results. At the same time I would also like to thank all CCC for the last two seasons."

Today's best Black Friday deals

Today's cycling-related highlights from the Black Friday sales. For even more, view our guide to the best Black Friday bike deals where you'll find on all things cycling, including bikes, helmets, clothing and more. 

Today's best deals: USA

Today's best deals: UK

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Cyclingnews is the world's leader in English-language coverage of professional cycling. Started in 1995 by University of Newcastle professor Bill Mitchell, the site was one of the first to provide breaking news and results over the internet in English. The site was purchased by Knapp Communications in 1999, and owner Gerard Knapp built it into the definitive voice of pro cycling. Since then, major publishing house Future PLC has owned the site and expanded it to include top features, news, results, photos and tech reporting. The site continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative English voice in professional cycling.