After a breakthrough debut season on the World Tour that included a second stage win at the Giro d'Italia and the maillot jaune at the Tour de France, success was on the back of Giulio Ciccone's mind.

But the 24-year-old is determined to make 2020 another learning experience, teaming up with veteran leader Vincenzo Nibali, who moved to Trek-Segafredo in the off-season.

Next year's race program has yet to be announced, but at this stage it is favored to start with the Giro d'Italia before focusing on the summer Olympics in Tokyo. Ciccone, who finished 16th overall in this year's Giro, is likely to shadow Nibali for the first half of the campaign in order to absorb as much experience as possible.

"I still need to finalize things with the team, but I'm sure I'll be in a similar program to Vincenzo," he said.

"We will do similar races, but we need to see what we will do from the Giro, Tour, and Vuelta. We won't run all the races together, but we will definitely line up together in the first big Tour."

Whether it is the Giro d'Italia or the 2020 Grand Tour, Ciccone is looking to balance his personal and team ambitions with his next stage win.

"In my head, stage wins are my number one goal. That's the first thing. But it will also be important for Vincenzo. I'll be there to support him. If I go to the Giro, I might have a better chance than in the Tour."

With Nibali, Richie Porte, and Bauke Mollema set to star in next year's Grand Tour, Ciccone is content to manage his progress steadily. None of Trek-Segafredo's three Grand Tour leaders are past the age of 30.

"My dream is to be in the GC, but it's too early now. The time trial is a really important discipline. But if I run with Vincenzo, I can wait and gain experience; 2021 might be the year I can aim for GC, but 2020 is too early.

"It was a good year. My goal was the Giro, where I took the blue jersey and won a stage. And in the Tour, I won the yellow jersey for two days. I think it's been a great season."

"It's been a great season.

According to Ciccone, Bauke Mollema's experience was the most impressive of the season; the two raced together in several races late in the season, including the Giro, Tour, and Mollema's victory at Il Lombardia.

The Italian rider cited Mollema's ability to remain calm under pressure as a major trait he should strive for in the future.

"The biggest lesson for me was to always stay calm. In a big race like the Grand Tour, you can save a lot of energy by slowing down. I spent a lot of time getting excited when just staying quiet would have helped.

"I learned that lesson from Bauke, who was the leader. When we got off the bike, he was always quiet and I was on full throttle."