Ahhh, i'm back home in Assisi with my family now. After a rather hectic month of August, i can finally relax in about a week, before riding my next race in Belgium. It's the 31th of August which means that it has been 23 years since i was born. Celebrating my birthday here in my hometown where i grew up is great, since i have been travelling around so much this year, and haven't had much opportunity to settle myself at one place during the year.

Today i'm crossing the magic under 23 boundary, and therefore i am now a real elite rider. At least that's what my friends has to call me now. Even though it's just a number, being 23 brings me quite a lot responsibility. And therefore also expectations. Even though i'm young, people surely will look differently to me and my progress. Some results in my development has to become clear. And according to me, this has already suceeded much.

My personal manager Giovanni Lombardi came by early morning for a little chat and to congratulate me. He has been doing a lot of work to find the best solutions for me, for the next season of 2013. Together we went through the options i'm facing, and came down to a selection of offers, that we thought were the best for me.

I had offers from both Team Sky, Team Europcar and Lampre. Even though some of the offers looked absolutely fine, me and Giovanni have decided that our norms, values and differences, could be too much of a battle to unite. Both upcoming team rosters, contract lengths, monthly wages and so forth, have been discussed and reflectively evaluated, and three teams seemed to stand out better. This selection results that i will not resign with Sky.

Vacansoleil - DCM

Contract opportunities:

Vacansoleil has followed me intensely since March, and through the year, Giovanni has kept the contact. With a solid 10th in the team rankings, Vacansoleil will yet again be a part of the World Tour in 2013. Already rumoured is it that both Vansummeren and Hoste will join their roster for 2013, and with some decent climbers in the squad, the team seems to be focussing on the stage races and the cobbled classics for next year.


Vacansoleil has a couple of really nice Italians in their roster, and their agressive way of riding fits me perfectly. My concerns about the team is that they are developing towards the cobbled classics. Whereas the team has focussed on the hilly classics the last couple of years. With a contract of three years, this could tend to be a problem on a long term.

Orica - GreenEdge

Contract opportunities:

Orica - GreenEdge contacted Giovanni for only a month or two ago, even though they had been watching out for me in quite a long time. As this year, the team will stay in the World Tour for the next year, and as things are looking, the team has already a couple of Italians on contract. Especially their new signing of Ivan Basso has been a real surprise. The team is developing into quite an allround team, with both sprinters, stage racers and hilly riders, where i would fit in well.


Orica - GreenEdge has some real talent, and has been one of the most winning teams this year. With their new "Italian project", it should be exciting to take part of such development, and to ride together with some of the best Italian riders. My concerns with Orica - GreenEdge, is their high average. Likewise at Team Sky, the amount of top riders is incredible, and especially when talking about riders like me. There's a probability that i wouldn't have many personal chances.

Farnese - Vini

Contract opportunities:

Farnese - Vini has kept their interrest for a very long time, and i think that their offer looks quite attractive. In the CQ team rankings, they are currently placed as the 3rd best Continental team. But whether they are going to be World Tour team in 2013, seems quite doubtful. Rumours have it that they've signed some fine Italian classics riders, and that Guardini may continue on the team, even though of his expiring contract. Also Pozzato is still under contract.


At Farnese Vini, i would ride with some of the greatest Italian talents. I'd have the chance of riding all the smaller Italian classics, and with a free role, i would have a lot of chances to go for wins. My concerns about Farnese Vini aren't any structural or personal problems, but the fact that it would be a step down from the World Tour.

It's a difficult choice for me to make. All three offers looks very exciting, and have something unique. I have about one week to finally decide where i want to spend, at least, my next two years. It's quite thrilling, and therefore important that i make the right decision.

You've seen the main specifications of the contract offers. Therefore i'm asking YOU, my blog readers, to help me decide this difficult question. Post your opinions on this, and help me where to go for 2013.

Ollfardh wrote:
Sign with Farnese with the option that the contract can be canceled by you if they don't get World Tour. Sign with Orica-Greenedge if this happens.

@All: Thank you for your input! It's great to have another view on Puccio's contract situation, than just reflecting over it by myself.

@ste_18: I'll control whatever team Salvatore ends up in. That should be some easy db-editing

@Ian: You're right about the better chance of leader roles in hilly races on Vacansoleil, but the team will probably value the stage races and cobbled classics higher than the hilly races, meaning that Puccio will have to be helper in a lot of races he doesn't have any intentions being in... But well, the question is: Is that worth signing for?

@Jesleyh: I agree with you. It should be an okay time to sign with Vacansoleil, but it won't work on a long term view... (as it looks now)

@Freitas: It's quite a beautiful thought. But signing with Farnese would mean that Salvatore probably won't be able riding the Ardennes-Classics and many other WT-races. Focus would be on small races, since planning for WT races would need a wildcard first. It would be quite a stepdown. But worth signing for?

@dienblad: I agree on the wine thing! No doubt that is a great argument

@mvhoogdalem: Thank you! I'm glad you've taken the time to read it through. I hope you'll follow as it goes along

@Alakagom: Wow! I'm flattered of those kind words. I'm glad you're following, and thanks for your input in Salvatore's contract situation

@Jesleyh: I agree! If the contract with Vacansoleil could be negotiated down to 2 years, it would look even more attractive. I don't know if you can say that Farnese isn't that famous in the PCT. If they have the team to participate in the World Tour, they surely would get wilcards

@Sutty: I'll take that into consideration. And thank you