Ruben Companioni Leaving Stradalli-Safetti For 2016 Season

Stradalli-Safetti, US based pro men’s criterium team, has granted Ruben Companioni a release from his contract to join Jamis Professional Cycling Team for the 2016 season.

Companioni was under contract for 2016 but Stradalli-Safetti decided for Companioni’s career, the best thing would be a change of focus. There was interest in Companioni joining the newly formed Stradalli-Bike Aid Germany Continental cycling team but the level of racing in Europe is a huge step up, not necessarily the step up Companioni is looking for at this time.

Stradalli Cycle CEO Tom Steinbacher said Companioni is still and always will be a part of the Stradalli family, but Jamis was the better fit for him for 2016 and wanted him to race road not just

criteriums. “Ruben is a great criterium racer, but he is an even better road racer. He has been great for our team, but I want him to be in the best possible situation for next year.

Stradalli Cycle currently sponsors several teams around the world including a European Continental Team, a United States Professional Criterium Team, a Women’s Domestic Elite Team (with Papa John’s), and a junior development team(Wizard Racing Development Team). Stradalli Cycle uses all its avenues to develop riders and bring them to the next level which is what attracted them to Bike Aid in the first place.

Bike Aid most recently brought African rider Mekseb Debesay into the international scene and helped him to elevate his career. It was recently announced that Debesay will move on to Team Dimension Data to ride along side Mark Cavendish in the UCI World Tour. Stradalli-Bike Aid has two U23 stagiaire roles left to fill for 2016.

Stradalli-Safetti will continue its focus on United States criterium racing in 2016 while Stradalli-Bike Aid will compete at the top level road races in Europe. For Companioni, a United States based road racing team will allow him to continue his progress and will allow him to stay close to family as well.

“Stradalli is my family and without them I wouldn’t have all these wonderful kinds of opportunities. I also have my family here in Miami to care for first and foremost. With Jamis I can travel to the biggest races and have the best opportunities, but still be close to home and my friends.” Companioni said.

“Stradalli-Safetti is all about opportunity and giving young racers the chance to reach their dreams. We keep a tight family here because that is the best environment for racers to develop. Ruben had great success with us and he will have great success with Jamis. Now another up and coming racer will have the opportunity to race for Stradalli-Safetti. In a year or so, if Ruben keeps developing the way he has, then maybe we will talk about bringing him to our European team. For now, we wish him the best of luck in 2016 and always will stay in close contact.” Steinbacher said.