Winner of stages in the Tours of Beijing and San Luis last season and runner-up on day one of this year’s Giro d’Italia, Elia Viviani has been given the encouragement of a two year contract expansion from the Cannondale Pro Cycling team.

Yesterday Cannondale announced it has come to an agreement with Elia Viviani to renew his contract for the next two seasons, 2014 and 2015. The 24-year-old sprinter turned pro with the Liquigas team in 2010 and in three and a half years has collected 18 wins with the team directed by Roberto Amadio. In addition to these results, Viviani won many Italian and European titles on the track that earned his participation in the London Olympic Games last year.

"We're really happy with this agreement," affirmed Roberto Amadio, team manager of Cannondale Pro Cycling. "We have a lot confidence in Viviani and in his growth potential. His skills on the road and the track are an added value compared to other riders. We're sure he has the potential to become one of the best sprinters in the peloton. At the same time we think Elia is a talent to grow steadily and without pressure. Experience shows us to be right: we'll support him in the best way possible so he can compete at the highest level."

"I'm more than satisfied with this renewal and for the conviction that the team showed to sign me," explained Viviani. "This is a tight-knit group, as only few others are, but above all it is a team that doesn't look just to results to make their choices. I'm glad that what I have done until now was taken into account and also that I have the will to hone my skills. I think this is already happening at the Giro. I have been working with this team since I was 17 and not a professional rider yet: to continue with these coaches is what I wanted. There won't be problems of coexistence with Sagan because there are many races to target. My aim is to win important races, from the stages to the Classics, and I'm happy to go after that wearing the jersey of Cannondale Pro Cycling".