Sonny Colbrelli is the next professional rider who is confirmed to be part of the new established team Bahrain-Merida. He will be one of the major sprinters and classics riders in the coming season.

Sonny Colbrelli, 26, hails from Lago Di Garda and joined professional cycling in 2012. Making his Grand Tour début that same year at the Giro d’Italia, he was earmarked as a lead-out man for his team's sprinter. Colbrelli took his first top ten placing on stage 13, when he finished ninth after having led out one of the riders to a fourth-place finish.

2014-2015 were breakthrough years for Colbrelli with several victories at races such as Tour du Limousin, Gran Premio Bruno Beghelli and Giro dell’Appenino and several podium placings in numerous other races. This year Colbrelli won his second one-day race of the season at Gran Premio Città di Lugano in February. As a member of his current team he did the Giro d'Italia but in stage 21 Colbrelli had an unfortunate crash.

“I’m really happy to join this new team. Immediately after the establishment of the team, I was contacted and asked to join this new exciting project. They believe in my value and me so I would like to repay their trust soon with some beautiful success. I will work hard to succeed in this,” said Colbrelli.

General Manager Brent Copeland said about Colbrelli:

“We are very pleased with the presence of Sonny in our team, he adds great value to the team, not only as a top sprinter but also as a very classy one-day rider. His performance at this year's classics showed us his true value and we all believe that he has a lot more to give to cycling. His enthusiasm and exciting way of racing will definitely bring something special to the team.”