A strong Italian talent has been selected by LAMPRE-MERIDA to add fresh skills to the roster for the next two years: Federico Zurlo has signed a contract with the blue-fuchsia-green team for the 2016 and 2017.

Dynamism, energy, initiative, speed and riding skills are the additional qualities of this strong flat road rider who was born in Cittadella on 25/02/1994 and who turned pro with Unitedhealthcare in 2015 after riding as as stagiaire in the second half of 2014. At 179cm of height and 69 g of weight, Zurlo will debut in the WorldTour.

"After the exciting approach to the pro world I had in the past two seasons, I have the opportunity to be member of a WorldTour team now, sizing my skills at the top level of the cycling: it's something amazing for me, I thank who had supported me in these years and the new team and the new sponsors who chose to give me this opportunity," Zurlo said. "I'm joining the only Italian team in the WorldTour, for an Italian rider that is such a good thing. 

"At the team camp, I'll soon meet the technical staff in order to make a draft of the race calendar, I'd like to participate in the Belgian classics."

Brent Copeland welcomed Zurlo: "We're very happy for having signed Zurlo: he's one of the most talented Italian young guns, we always try to give opportunity to the Italian young riders and we think that Federico's skills will allow him to be competitive at the WorldTour level."