Stefano Barberi: From Florida Roots to Pro Cycling
After spending a few minutes talking about cycling with Stefano Barberi, Scarborough Bicycle Accident Law’s newest sponsored athlete, his passion and lifelong dedication to the sport will take your breath away. Originally from Brazil, Stefano moved to Florida with his family when he was 12. Settling in Boca Raton, he quickly immersed himself in the Florida cycling scene. By middle and high school, he was already making a name for himself in road racing. His talent was undeniable—by his senior year of high school, he turned pro, moving swiftly through the cycling ranks from Category 3 to competing at the highest levels.
Rising Through the Ranks
Stefano’s journey in competitive cycling took off in Florida, where he progressed rapidly. By his senior year of high school, he was a professional mountain biker at just 18. Shortly after, a friend who owned B&J Bike Shop in Pompano Beach invited him to join their Category 3 road racing team. With no prior junior road racing experience, Stefano jumped straight into Cat 3 races.
His transition was seamless—winning his first race and quickly dominating the Florida State Series. Within three weekends, he won six consecutive races, making a name for himself in the local racing scene. By the fourth weekend, race officials surprised him by upgrading him directly to Category 1. It was a testament to his raw talent and rapid progression in the sport.
Professional Road Racing and the European Experience
In the early 2000s, Stefano’s career took him beyond Florida. In 2004, he competed in Athens Twilight, initiating a breakaway in the pro race. It was there that he met Jonathan Vaughters, who was building a new development team that would eventually become EF Education, now a World Tour team. Stefano signed with the squad and raced under their banner in 2004 and 2005. He later competed with teams like Toyota United and Kenda Pro Cycling, racing in top-tier events across North America.
Though Stefano had a short stint racing in Europe, the challenges of staying connected with family during the pre-smartphone era made it difficult. Competing in events like the Route du Sud—a crucial lead-up to the Tour de France—exposed him to the highest levels of the sport. Despite not being on a World Tour team, he rode alongside world-class cyclists in some of the most grueling competitions, pushing himself against the best in the sport.
Bigger Goals Than Ever
As Stefano looks ahead, he’s not slowing down—he’s ramping up. His race calendar is packed, starting this weekend in Pendleton, Oregon, where he’s racing Real West Gravel with one goal in mind: to win. He’s also eyeing a top-15 finish at Unbound Gravel 200, an event that doesn’t perfectly suit his strengths but one he’s determined to conquer. With 17 races on his schedule this year, Stefano is pushing himself harder than ever, recently completing a 28-hour training week with nearly 50,000 feet of elevation gain in preparation for the season ahead.
A Lifelong Love of the Ride
Whether it’s reminiscing about his vintage 1998 Ritchey—a rare, nostalgia-inducing classic—or praising his current Orbea mountain bike as the most capable ride he’s ever owned, Stefano’s passion for cycling goes beyond racing. For him, it’s about exploration, pushing limits, and trusting his equipment to carry him through even the most remote locations.
Though some of the athletes he competes against today are younger than his pro license, Stefano isn’t thinking about retirement—far from it. He’s still chasing big goals, still thriving on competition, and still in love with the sport. As a Scarborough Bicycle Accident Law-sponsored athlete, Stefano continues to inspire, proving that cycling isn’t just about podiums—it’s about resilience, passion, and the lifelong love of the ride. Go Stefano!
Video: From Florida to the Pros: Stefano Barberi’s Inspiring Cycling Journey | One Community Podcast
Watch video: Stefano Barberi on the podcast
