The future of the Alcare-B&B Hotels team remains uncertain after the second rider, who was under contract until 2025, chose to move to another team.EF Education-Easy Post announced the addition of Vincenzo Albanese from the French team.

Last month, Clément Champoussin prematurely terminated his contract with Astana Kazakstan, and Albanese made a similar move.

Albanese is Alcarea B&B Hotels' third largest points earner behind Luca Mozzato and Kevin Vokelan, with 935 points from a series of strong finishes including podiums at the Marco Pantani Memorial, Prueba Villafranca and Tour des Alpes.

“I'm very happy to be part of this team. I'm very happy to be part of this team. I will do my best.”

Albanese has been consistent, but his only professional win since 2022 came on stage 4 of the Tour du Limousin, when he attacked and won before a group sprint.

“Winning the Tour du Limousin in France two years ago was my best, most beautiful cycling moment ever. I attacked in the last kilometer and rode solo with a five or six second gap to the main group. I will never forget that last kilometer. I want to win more races,” Albanese added.

“This will be my first chance to race with a very big team. It will be a great experience and I want to make the most of it. I'm excited to be a part of the American team, our program, and the trust the team has placed in me for next year."

Albanese added, ”I'm looking forward to the opportunity.

Albanese, 27, began his professional career with Bardiani-CSF in 2017 and raced for the Eolo Cometa team from 2021 to 2023 before joining the World Tour this year with Arcare.

“My very big dream for next year is to ride the Tour,” Albanese said. 'I rode the Giro, so my big goal for this year is to ride the Tour. I want to ride in the Tour, win races, and do well in the classics.”

Albanese's ability to score points will be key to keeping the team in the World Tour at the end of the three-year promotion cycle in 2025.

Team CEO Jonathan Vaughters believes the Italian will deliver results, saying, “Vincenzo Albanese is a very consistent racer and will deliver results for us from the beginning of the year to the end.

“He has the strength to make it to the finals of the big classics and bring it into the mix in the hard Grand Tour group sprints. Young riders will learn a lot from his racing skills. Vincenzo knows how to keep his cool when the peloton is disorganized and to show his strength when it counts. We believe he is knocking on the door of a big win.”