Matthew Riccitello, a rising star in American cycling, made headlines with a standout performance at the 2025 Vuelta a Espana, securing both a top-five general classification finish and the white jersey. His journey to the race was unexpected, as he was called up last minute due to team illnesses, and the event itself was marked by protests targeting his team, which has since rebranded for safety reasons. Riccitello discussed the challenges of breaking into the Eurocentric world of professional cycling, reflecting on his upbringing in Arizona and the difficulties faced by non-European riders adapting to life and competition abroad. With a move to Decathlon-CMA CGM and a promising race schedule ahead, Riccitello is focused on Grand Tour ambitions and aims to reach the podium in the coming years, signaling a bright future for American cycling.