Mattia wasn’t born into a cycling-mad family, but being Italian, it did still mean that his dad watched the biggest races on TV. That caught Mattia’s interest, but as a young kid his parents didn’t want him to race bikes so instead his passion for middle-distance running grew.
Like most runners who turn to cycling, it was due to an injury that Mattia turned to two wheels after the age of 18. With a few friends who were on U23 teams who said that he had potential things then “became more serious” for Mattia.
However, just as he was getting into things Covid-19 hit which stunted Mattia’s first and second year in the U23 ranks.
“I did only three months of racing in 2020 and around five in 2021, and I didn’t have big results at that point, so I felt like maybe cycling wasn’t my place because, you know, nobody starts cycling at 20 years-old normally.”
By that point though the well-read and studious Mattia knew he wanted to remain within the sport and began coaching athletes. In the meantime, he was also training too, began gravel racing and when comparing his data with some of his athletes and friends he knew in WorldTour – he had second thoughts that something might be possible still.
“In 2025 I wanted to give it one more go, and ultimately I could make the step up.”
You might also recognise Mattia’s name from the Zwift Academy Series where he made it to the finals twice but wasn’t picked up there. What of course was a disappointment at the time, Mattia looks back on that part of his journey as something that’s helped make him the rider he is now.
“I was of course disappointed initially but now I can only say that I’m happy how things happened. The time after the series has allowed me to work more on my cycling skills and things that I was lacking as I only really raced for about 10 months in U23.”
This can be seen in Mattia’s results from the 2025 campaign where he “felt more confident” after every race he completed in; and found his home when the road headed upwards.
Reflecting on his personality, Mattia would describe himself as a “driven”, “obsessive”, “dreamer” and that’s definitely clear in his rise to the top level of the sport, with a never-give up attitude. Something that he finds reflected in his sporting idol Killian Jornet, who he really admires for his physical and mental abilities.
A smart and inquisitive person who enjoys reading in his spare time, mostly non-fiction books and scientific journals, Mattia is ready to soak up as much information as he can over the next years with Team Picnic PostNL.
Away from the bike you might find Mattia relaxing in the evening with some chill hip-hop playing in the background or sat by his piano honing his skills on the keys. If he’s not writing something himself.