Fabio Felline – remember the name

Footon-Servetto don’t get the best of press. The team is the successor to the disgraced Saunier Duval outfit, it has the worst kit in the bunch and its riders seem like pack fodder.

Except for one. Fabio Felline. He’s 20 years old and from Turin. The young rider had a very promising amateur career, often getting the better of Jack Bobridge, Leigh Howard, Gianluca Brambilla and Juraj Sagan (Peter’s kid brother) on the Italian amateur scene. And now he’s just won two stages of the 2.1 Circuit de Lorraine, wrapping up the overall too, plus the points jersey and the best young rider. Not bad for a neo pro.

I’m not the first to tip him. Italian cognoscenti have rated him for some time and in the English-speaking media, Matt Rendell, of the excellent Real Peloton podcast, named him earlier this year. His next race will be the Tour de Suisse.