
A great piece of news for Italian cycling comes from Villa di Villa and the Giro del Belvedere. Lorenzo Mark Finn claimed victory in the international Under 23 classic. The Ligurian rider from Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe Rookies, who was fifth in the U23 Liège race yesterday, beat Slovenian Jakob Omrzel from Bahrain Victorious Development and Austrian Marco Schrettl from Tirol KTM Team.
The 86th edition of the Giro del Belvedere, which took place with the usual spectacular route through the Veneto roads, saw Finn triumph with a spectacular solo finish, after a race conducted with grit and intelligence, making the difference on the Montaner climb.
It's an all-Italian success for Finn, who confirms himself as one of the brightest stars in the global youth cycling scene. The Ligurian, already junior world champion in 2024, demonstrated clear superiority, dropping high-level opponents and showcasing his climbing and finishing skills.
Behind him, Jacob Omrzel from Bahrain Victorious Development Team finished second, after being one of the main protagonists in the decisive phase of the race. The third step of the podium went to Marco Schrettl from Tirol KTM Cycling Team, who also delivered an outstanding performance.
RACE CHRONICLE
The race heated up just a few kilometers in. At km 7, a first breakaway formed with three riders: Matteo Lapo Bozicevich (MG.K Vis – Costruzioni e Ambiente), Thomas Turri (S.C. Padovani Polo Cherry Bank) and Alan Zanolini (Trentino Cycling Team U23).
During the third lap, the leading group expanded to seven riders with the return of Luis López Díaz (Club Ciclista Padronés Cortizo), Louis Van Zeeland (Maxsolar Cycling Team), Jermaine Zemke (Rembe Rad-Net), and Marco Pezzani (Trentino Cycling Team U23). The seven breakaway riders gained ground and held off the peloton for several dozen kilometers, until four laps from the finish, when the main group began to close in.
At km 114, Thomas Turri was caught, while Matteo Lapo Bozicevich distinguished himself at the front of the group, winning all three intermediate sprints and thus showing great form. At km 124, four riders remained at the front: Alan Zanolini, Marco Pezzani, Jermaine Zemke and Luis López Díaz, while the group followed a minute behind.
At km 132, Pezzani relaunched the action and returned to the lead, while from behind came Matthias Schwarzbacher (UAE Team Emirates), Jacob Omrzel (Bahrain Victorious Development Team), Matteo Lapo Bozicevich (MG.K Vis – Costruzioni e Ambiente), Sebastián Putz (Red Bull-BORA) and Jermaine Zemke (Rembe Rad-Net).
On the Montaner climb, a key section of the Giro del Belvedere, Schwarzbacher and Omrzel stood out, with the latter winning the first Mountain Grand Prix. But it was in the second KOM that Lorenzo Mark Finn changed gear, crossing the summit first and from then on never looking back. His attack was devastating, allowing him to arrive at the finish line alone, conquering a victory both prestigious and well-deserved.
RESULTS
1. Finn Lorenzo (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies) in 3.58'45", media 42,220 kmh
2. Omrzel Jakob (Bahrain Victorious Development Team) a 30"
3. Schrettl Marco (Tirol KTM Cycling Team)
4. Schwarzbacher Matthias (UAE Team Emirates Gen Z) a 1'23"
5. Van Kerckhove Matisse (Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development )
6. Øxenberg Peter (Team Lotto-Kern Haus PSD Bank)
7. Macias Cesar (Petrolike) a 1'50"
8. Borgo Alessandro (Bahrain Victorious Development Team) a 2'10
9. Pattinson Tomos (Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development)
10. Meehan Jamie (AVC Aix-en-Provence Dole)