Giulio Pellizzari, the 22-year-old Italian cycling sensation, is poised to shake up the battle for Giro d'Italia glory. Two years after his breakout performance at the same race, he returns as a genuine contender, challenging red-hot favourite Jonas Vingegaard.
A New Star in Italian Sport
Italian sport is enjoying a golden era, with Formula 1 prodigy Kimi Antonelli and tennis superstar Jannik Sinner dominating their respective fields. Now, cycling fans hope Pellizzari can join their ranks. The last Italian to win the Giro was Vincenzo Nibali in 2016, but Pellizzari's rapid rise suggests a changing of the guard.
Pellizzari first made headlines at the 2024 Giro, riding for the second-tier VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizane team. On a mountain stage to Monte Pana, he fearlessly followed Tadej Pogacar, even asking for the Slovenian's maglia rosa afterwards. That audacity hinted at his potential.
Transformation into a Contender
A move to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe has transformed Pellizzari from a promising youngster into a genuine Grand Tour contender. With elite teammates and the backing of an energy drinks giant, he has flourished. He finished sixth at both last year's Giro and Vuelta, proving his consistency over three-week races.
Pellizzari has also matured mentally. After harsh online criticism during the Vuelta, he plans to avoid social media this time. He now understands the responsibilities of leadership, as he demonstrated by winning the Tour of the Alps last month—his first professional stage race victory.
Co-Leadership Strategy
At this Giro, Pellizzari will co-lead with Jai Hindley, the 2022 champion. Their partnership worked well at the Vuelta, where Hindley finished fourth. They can alternate attacks on Vingegaard, a tactic Visma-Lease a Bike used to great effect in 2022. With experienced riders like Aleksandr Vlasov also on the team, Pellizzari has strong support.
Challenging the Favourite
Jonas Vingegaard, the three-time Grand Tour champion, is the hot favourite. But a relatively thin Giro field—with Joao Almeida ill, Richard Carapaz injured, and Egan Bernal not at his best—opens the door for Pellizzari. While some may question his experience, his two top-six Grand Tour finishes surpass what Pogacar had before his breakthrough Vuelta.
Pellizzari's potential is undeniable, and the timing is perfect. As Antonelli and Sinner continue to shine, a Giro victory would crown Italy's sporting renaissance. The final week's mountain stages suit Pellizzari perfectly, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion.
