Get ready for a thrilling addition to the EF Education-EasyPost team! The American powerhouse, Luke Lamperti, is joining our classics squad, and we couldn't be more excited.
Luke, a 22-year-old from sunny Santa Rosa, California, brings a unique blend of speed and grit to our roster. With six wins already under his belt, including a stage victory at the Czech Tour, he's a force to be reckoned with. And that's not all - he's got his sights set on winning monuments, those iconic races that define a cyclist's legacy.
"I'm thrilled to join the team," Luke shares. "It feels like coming home. As an American rider, it's special to be part of an American WorldTour team. I already know many of the guys, and I'm eager to see what the future holds."
But here's where it gets interesting. Luke's journey to cycling is a twist of fate. You see, he started racing motocross bikes as a kid, using cycling to get stronger for those dirt bike races. Little did he know, it would lead him to discover a whole new world of freedom and adventure on two wheels.
"The riding in Sonoma County is incredible," he recalls. "I fell in love with the freedom and the challenge of always striving to be better. It was a quick progression, and here I am today."
His motocross skills and determination paid off, and he soon became a standout in the USA's youth races. He joined one of the top junior teams and even traveled to Europe to race with the American national team. Impressive results, like a top 10 finish at Paris-Roubaix Juniors, earned him a spot on Trinity Racing, where he crossed paths with some of our very own EF Education-EasyPost teammates.
"That's when I committed to living like a pro," Luke explains. "It was a smooth transition, and I felt comfortable from the start. I had my ups and downs, but overall, it's been a great two years."
Now, Luke is ready to take his career to new heights with EF Education-EasyPost. He's a versatile rider, capable of delivering results on various terrains, from spring classics to summer stage races. And our team founder and CEO, Jonathan Vaughters, has high praise for him.
"Luke is an exceptional sprinter and classics rider," Jonathan says. "He's a natural leader, even at such a young age. He can already be a road captain, guiding and inspiring his teammates. He reads race tactics like a pro and will be a key player in our cobbled races. We'll also utilize his sprinting skills, and I believe he'll be a great mentor for our U23 sprinter, Noah Hobbs. With his experience and talent, I can see him winning races like Gent Wevelgem, and who knows, maybe even Milano-Sanremo. He thrives in highly technical and tactical races."
Luke shares Jonathan's vision for his future.
"I consider myself a sprinter, but not a pure one," he clarifies. "I'm more of a punchy sprinter, excelling in the classics and sprints with fewer competitors. Races like Sanremo are right up my alley, and I'd love to focus more on grand tour stages in the future."
But make no mistake, Luke's true passion lies in the classics. He thrives on the challenge of windswept cobbles and can't wait to tackle Belgium's bergs with our classics squad, alongside fellow Americans Neilson Powless and Colby Simmons.
"I love the excitement and intensity of the classics," he says. "From start to finish, it's a thrill. The fans and cycling culture in Belgium are incredible, and I'm eager to experience it all."
Luke understands that achieving his dreams requires a focus on the process. With our team's support, he's confident he can compete with the very best.
"I want to bring out the best in myself and perform in the world's best races," he adds. "It's about continually pushing my limits and aiming for results in the biggest races."
Welcome to the team, Luke! We're excited to see what the future holds for you. And to our readers, what do you think? Will Luke Lamperti live up to the hype? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
