Team Jayco AlUla is pleased to expand its sport director team for the 2024 season, confirming the addition of former professional rider, Valerio Piva.
Piva enjoyed a successful 10-year professional road cycling career during the 80’s, following which he transitioned over to the other side to begin his career as a Sport Director.
After a few years working with the youth cycling category, Piva entered the WorldTour as director in 2002, working in various teams and collaborated with many champions including Mark Cavendish and Greg Van Avermaet. Born in Italy, Piva then moved over to the other ‘home of cycling’ – Flanders, near the border with the Netherlands.
With an abundance of knowledge and a wealth of experience having been a professional rider to working as a director in the highest level of races, Team Jayco AlUla is thrilled to have Piva onboard and believe the Italian has a lot to offer and will enhance the squad even further.
Brent Copeland – Team Jayco AlUla General Manager
“It is always special to have a former rider join the team in a Sport Director role. Their understanding for the sport is invaluable and for somebody like Valerio, he has that experience and has built up a lot of knowledge having worked as a Sport Director now for so many years. He has worked with a lot of different riders, he knows the ins and outs of cycling and we are excited to see what he can bring to the team as we continue to work to improve in all areas, from riders to staff.”
Valerio Piva
“I’m very happy to join Team Jayco AlUla – one of the most prestigious teams in the WorldTour! I have been a Sport Director for a long time and this team has always attracted me, both for the high level of the riders and the great organisation. I have worked with many young people and several great champions, and I am ready to bring my experience to help Team Jayco AlUla. My goal is to contribute to making the team grow even further both in terms of victories and to return to the top of the world rankings”.
Piva Biography:
Born in Northern Italy in 1958. Piva raced professionally from 1982 to 1991. He won a stage of the Giro d’Italia in 1983. In 2002 he started working as a Sport Director in various teams including T-Mobile, HTC Columbia (2005-2011), Katusha (2012-2013) and BMC (2014-2020). In recent years, he has worked with Intermarché-Circus-Wanty.
Photo: Sprint Cycling
