The Swiss rider, 2nd at the U23 World Championships in Rwanda, alongside the Ecuadorian climber who impressed at the Tour de l’Avenir, as well as France’s Sparfel and Poland’s Jackowiak. On Monday, April 6 in Treviso, plenty of rising stars will line up chasing the crown of Lorenzo Finn, who still has to decide whether he will defend his title. The Espoirs World Champion could claim a rare back-to-back victory, last happened 66 years ago

There is a reason why the Giro del Belvedere is often called the “Spring World Championship.” Its roll of honour speaks for itself: in 103 years of history, many future champions of world cycling have made their mark on the roads of Treviso.

On Monday, April 6, in Villa di Cordignano (Treviso, Northern Italy), the story is ready to be written once again. Some of the best Under-23 riders in the world will battle — and perhaps establish themselves — on a 168-kilometre course that requires nothing but every drop of sweat.

The defending champion is Lorenzo Finn, who arrived at last year’s Easter Monday classic already carrying the aura of a prodigy, having won the Junior World Championship the previous season. The talented rider from Liguria wasted little time adapting to the new category, claiming victory at the Giro del Belvedere before repeating the feat at the World Championships in Rwanda.

Should he decide to race, Finn would start wearing the rainbow jersey and could attempt a consecutive victory that has been missing for 66 years, since Claudio Zanchetta’s double in 1959 and 1960. While the Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe Rookies rider is still considering his participation, one of his biggest rivals from the Rwanda WC has already confirmed his presence: Jan Huber (Team Tudor). For the Swiss youngster it will be the debut at the Giro del Belvedere, but all signs suggest he will be among the protagonists.

Among the riders expected to make the difference on the climbs, Ecuador’s Mateo Ramirez (UAE Gen Z) is certainly one of the most highly regarded. Inspired by compatriot Jhonatan Narváez, the 18-year-old climber has already come close to a major result at the Giro della Valle d’Aosta, and finished sixth overall at the Tour de l’Avenir, showing the skills of a pure climber.

Shifting the focus on French riders — particularly within Team Decathlon — much attention is focused on Paul Seixas, but another talent quickly emerging behind him is Aubin Sparfel. Unlike his more well-known compatriot, Sparfel is a fast rider who can also handle short climbs well — a profile that on paper suits the Giro del Belvedere perfectly.

A similar profile is Jan Michal Jackowiak (Bahrain Victorious). Only 18 years old, the Polish talent has already shown strong personality, proving at the Giro di Sardegna that he can hold his own against professional riders.

Italy’s main hopes, while waiting for Finn, rest with Mattia Negrente and Ludovico Maria Mellano of XDS Astana Development Team.

The countdown has begun and, as every Easter Monday, the roads of Villa di Cordignano are preparing to host a race that can predict the future. Because at the Giro del Belvedere, for more than a century, riders have raced for more than winning: they have raced to become someone.