Kristian Sbaragli ended his 2014 season at Paris-Tours with a remarkable regularity throughout the season; with 21 top ten finishes this year. He has only lacked a debut win, something he is hoping achieve in 2015 with MTN-Qhubeka. The young Italian is looking to the future with confidence as he looks to continue to grow and take a step up to the maximum level. 

Sbaragli finished Paris-Tours with a bittersweet taste. "I'm a little disappointed with my result because I really felt great. I guess it's okay to be in the top 10 in a classic like Paris-Tours, and now I am eager for next year," he says. 

He ended up last year in the MTN-Qhubeka team and renewed until 2016 "I am very happy to have extended my contract and found a team that believes in me and gives me the chance to show what I am capable of. This is a great project, with riders from different countries. I feel great and I hope to exploit this here," says Sbaragli. 

His results supprt their decision to renew with him: 2nd GP Prato, Finistère Tour 4th, 5th in Le Samyn and 7th in Paris-Tours, ... and the stage races, with top 10s in the Tour of Spain, his debut in a Grand Tour, Tirreno-Adriatico, Turkey, Picardie, World Ports Classics and Fjords.

"I'm pretty happy with my 2014 season, its difficult to win but this season was very good for me, with many results. Of course it would have been fantastic and the perfect end to win but I'm happy with my progression," certified. In his debut in the Tour of Spain, he had to work for Gerald Ciolek. "He was the leader, a great champion, and to be at his side is an important experience for the future," he adds. 

In 2015, in addition, he will have at his side a block of top level sprinters: Edvald Boasson Hagen, Theo Bos, Matthew Goss and Tyler Farrar.

"Next season I really hope to step it up a notch and be competitive in the classics. I also hope to convert some of my good results into wins next year. I am confident that the team will be much stronger next year, especially in one-day races," he adds. "After the Vuelta this year, the goal is for the next season to contest the Tour de France and have a better overall schedule and progress personally," he adds. 

He defines himself: "I'm fast but I prefer stages that are not completely flat, with a final climb near the end, but I know I need to improve to reach the highest level."