Luke Lamperti πΊπΈ
Luke Lamperti has been having an outstanding 2023 season, picking up three stage wins in Tour of Japan, along with a stage in the relatively stacked U23 startlist at the baby Giro. Lamperti's even managed to place third in the general classification behind Pellaud in Le Tour de Bretange.
Lamperti is travelling to Soudal - Quick Step next year. They could use a strong sprinter coming up the ranks - and we forsee Lamperti getting a fair amount of oppurtunity on the squad when Merlier isn't racing.
Strengths
Without a doubt Lamperti can sprint. But did you know that he can also time trial? Well. Sorta. One of those stages of Japan was a 2.6km prologue that he dominated. It's kinda like how Wiebes does well on the women's side on the shorter prologue through sheer force.
Lamperti can handle a downhill finish, and an uphill finish. With his wins coming on either end of the finish line spectrum.
When to Bet
Lamperti is making his Pro level debut at the Tour of Britain so we'll get to see how he performs at the higher levels. It seemed the first stage was a wash for him, but he started to get his legs under him (or the team's leadout train) in the second stage with him finishing in seventh.
We'll keep our eyes peeled, and update this post as he develops, but we're thinking he'll get at least a few podiums next year in some smaller level Pro sprints. But unfortunately for the Tour of Britain we think Kooij and van Aert have it pretty locked down.