Simone Consonni: 'The Tour de France with Jonny Milan is the goal'

In the Instagram stories of one of the most beloved cycling cafés on the Costa Blanca, Daan Hoole’s rider card frequently makes an appearance. Since last season, his card has held a permanent spot among the signed cycling jerseys, framed photos, and team-used musettes. It has become Hoole’s fate to pose with his rider card every time he takes a coffee break with his training mates after conquering the Coll de Rates. The same thing happened during Lidl-Trek’s training camp, sparking Simone Consonni’s curiosity about his own stats. Daan Hoole— who we've now labelled our ambassador—made the connection: Consonni would soon have his own rider card in hand. 

Sending a card to San Marino is nessun problema, but as luck would have it, Fleur lives just a half-hour ride from Lidl-Trek’s training camp. “I have a rest day today and need to do a short ride on my TT bike—why not cycle in your direction?” the friendly Italian suggested. And so, at the end of January, Fleur found herself sipping coffee with Consonni under the Spanish sun, in a small square in Benissa. They talked about his first year with Lidl-Trek, his close collaboration with ‘Jonny’ Milan, his outlook on the upcoming season, and of course, his rider card stats.

Let's chat with Simone Consonni

You wouldn't say so, but 2024 was actually the first season in which Consonni took on the role of Milan’s lead-out. After his move from Cofidis, his role at Lidl-Trek was immediately clear. This Italian duo’s successful year didn’t just boost Milan’s sprint score—it also raised Consonni’s lead-out rating. With a score of 97, he ranks among the top six lead-out specialists in the current peloton. Van Poppel, Van der Poel, and Teunissen started the season with a perfect 99, while Van Lerberghe, Laporte, and Consonni follow closely with 97.

Does this ranking align with how Consonni sees himself as a rider?

"I used to be the sprinter at Cofidis; since joining Lidl-Trek, my role has changed. I didn’t expect my lead-out score to be this high already, but we’ve had a really strong year as a team. I do the lead-out for Jonny, and working with him is great, so I’m really happy with my current role. The atmosphere within the team—both among the riders and the staff—is top-notch."

However, 2024 wasn’t the first time Consonni and Milan worked closely together.

"At the Tokyo Olympics, we won gold together on the track (Team Pursuit, ed.). Last year in Paris, it was bronze. So yeah, you could say we know each other pretty well by now." 😉

When asked what it’s like to work with Jonathan Milan, a big smile spreads across his face.

"I love working with Jonny. He’s just incredible. Not just physically, but mentally too. When he sets his mind to something, he makes it happen."

Earlier this year, Lidl-Trek announced that Jonathan Milan will make his Tour de France debut. What does that mean for Consonni?

"It’s definitely my goal to be at the start of the Tour de France as well, which would be my second participation. In 2020, I finished on the podium with Cofidis on my birthday, so I have great memories of it—but I also know how high the level is. My spot is far from guaranteed. To race in the biggest event of the year, you need to be in top shape. But it’s a great goal to work towards this season, and I’ll give it everything I’ve got. Whether the alternative would be the Giro or the Vuelta, I don’t know yet—we haven’t discussed that."

His race program for the first months of the season is already shaping up. With Lidl-Trek, he kicked off the season strongly at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana (stage 1 win: TTT, stage 5 win: Milan sprint).

"Next up is the UAE Tour, then probably Tirreno-Adriatico and a few classics in Belgium. Pretty similar to last year."

Just like last season, Consonni won’t be part of the team’s classics squad built around Pedersen.

"With Mads, we have an incredibly strong leader, and the team is built around him. Last year, they showed what they’re capable of—just amazing. I’m sure they’ll do great things again this year."

Whether he sees opportunities for himself this season?

"My primary goal is always the lead-out—I want to keep improving in that role. But if opportunities arise, I’ll definitely go for them. Last year, I had good sprints in Nokere and De Panne, so if I race there again this year, I see good chances. The teams for those races haven’t been decided yet."

Looking at his rider card, where sprinting and lead-out stand out as his top attributes, Fleur asks Consonni how he views his hills rating—especially now that sprinters are expected to handle more than just flat finishes.

"It’s not just sprinting; cycling in general has changed. You’ll still find some truly flat stages at the UAE Tour or maybe the Giro, but overall, sprint stages are getting tougher. That’s due to the increase in small climbs in the parcours but also because of how we race now. Fewer sprinters can survive on flat profiles alone. I’m training hard to improve in the hills, so I want to increase this score. The goal is to push my 59 up to a 70 by the end of the season."

Three final quick-fire questions to wrap up:

Who are the three best sprinters you’ve ever raced with or against?

"Marcel Kittel, Jonny, and Elia Viviani."
 

Which race will you aim to win this year?
 

"If I start there, Bredene Koksijde or Nokere Koerse."
 

Which (unexpected) Lidl-Trek rider will make waves this season?
 

"Thibau Nys. Maybe not a total surprise after last season, but I think he has a big year ahead of him. And of course, my captain Jonny—I have to mention him."
 

Grazie, Simone!
 

Hopefully, we’ll see the Italian at the start of his second Tour de France this summer.
 

Want to see clips from this interview? Keep an eye on @cyclingoracle on Instagram.