A decisive move with 30 km to go secured the U23 World Champion the long-awaited back-to-back victory in Villa di Cordignano, Treviso. Britain’s William Smith and Italy’s Tommaso Bambagioni rounded out the podium
From the cobbles of Tour of Flanders to the climbs of Giro del Belvedere, the colours of the rainbow jersey lit up the peloton across Easter weekend. Tadej Pogačar made it shine on Sunday, and Lorenzo Finn today, on Easter Monday, April 6.
As in Belgium the day before, it only took the blink of an eye to define the race. With 30 kilometres to go, and the outcome still wide open, Finn made his move — a powerful acceleration that reshaped the peloton and carried him into the history and the legend of the Giro del Belvedere.
The 19-year-old Italian claimed his second consecutive victory, a feat that had not been achieved in 66 years, since Claudio Zanchetta’s back-to-back wins in 1959 and 1960. It also marked the first win by a reigning world champion in 46 years, since Gianni Giacomini in 1980.
Behind the Red Bull–BORA–Hansgrohe rookie, Britain’s William Smith (Team Visma Development) clinched second at 1:20, edging Italy’s Tommaso Bambagioni (Team Technipes), who secured third place one day after finishing runner-up at the Trofeo Piva.
A total of 171 riders took the start in Villa di Cordignano, Treviso, for the 87th edition, with one of the expected contenders, Enea Sambinello, forced to withdraw following a crash at the Trofeo Piva. Before the start, Finn received a commemorative plaque from Organising Committee President Gianfranco Carlet.
The early phase of the race saw a 10-rider breakaway establish itself after just four kilometres, building a maximum advantage of 5:24 by kilometre 44. The move included Avi, Bonometti, Faustinelli, Gamba, De Fabritiis, Scarso, Turri, Dante, Pezzani and Vega, before the peloton — led by Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe — began to close the gap.
The race intensified on the climb of Piai della Vigna, where Finn moved into position, anticipating his intentions. On the following laps, the breakaway was gradually reduced, while the group of favourites increased the pace behind.
With just over 30 kilometres remaining, the race came back together at the foot of the Montaner climb. It was there, on the slopes that have often decided the Giro del Belvedere, that Finn launched his decisive attack.
The acceleration immediately split the field. France’s Aubin Sparfel attempted to respond but was quickly distanced. Quinterno Osorno and Mernik tried to chase without success, as the world champion rode clear to a second win.
Kilometre after kilometre, Finn extended his advantage, while behind him a group of eleven riders formed to contest the remaining podium places. Smith proved to be the fastest of this bunch, while Bambagioni took the bronze medal.
“First of all, I have to thank the team,” said Finn. “They made the race hard and kept me protected until the decisive moment. I attacked where we had planned in the morning meeting, and I’m happy I was able to execute the plan. My start to the season wasn’t ideal, but now I’m starting to feel good again.”
“A Pogačar-style win? For me, Tadej is an inspiration. I attacked with 30 kilometres to go and realised how difficult it is to make it stick. He often goes from even further out — what he does is incredible. Chapeau.”
Rounding out the top-10 are Samuel Novak (Tirol KTM), Mattia Negrente (Astana), Aubin Sparfel (Decathlon), Ludovico Mellano (Astana), Kasper Borremans (Bahrain) e Leonardo Visco (Biesse-Carrera).
