The Italian rider from Team Astana Development will be again on the starting grid of the Easter-Monday U23 international cycling event and aims high: “I trained with Battistella and I will ask him for some tips…”
With plenty of talent, self-confidence and strength of will, promising Astana Development Team’s Italian rider Gianmarco Garofoli, born in 2002, is ready to join the fray and strive for victory at the Giro del Belvedere, scheduled on Easter Monday, April 18th, in Villa di Cordignano (Treviso, Northern Italy).
The U23 international cycling event is going to stage its 83rd edition and Garofoli is for sure one the young rising stars to keep an eye on. The Italian talent is ready to take up the challenge. “My goal is to leave the mark on this race – Garofoli explained – which always represented an historical date and a springboard for many young champions in the past. Also this time, I expect nothing less than the usual high technical level.”
The season start was not ideal for the Italian due to some physical issues, although the worst seems now to be behind.
« I got Covid in mid-February and one week off. Recently, I had a good performance at the « Settimana Coppi e Bartali », I feel better and better now. Before that date, I’ll be competing at Giro dei Sicilia: I believe that a stage race for professionals can give me the right pedal stroke to achieve a great result in Villa di Cordignano ».
Garofoli will have his second appearance at the Easter Monday classic. Indeed, In 2021 the former Team DSM rider won the award as “most combative athlete” after escaping in the early race, but he didn’t manage to finish in a top position then.
“Last year things were different, and I was working for the team. Now with Astana I got a different role and I’ll be one of the leaders for the race finale”.
The racecourse of the Giro del Belvedere perfectly fits the skills of the young Italian.
“I’m a solid climber and I have a saying when it comes to final sprints in a tight group. I really like this race, which allows me to exploit my full potential”.
Starting point for many big names of international cycling, last but not least Juan Ayuso and Italian fellow Samuele Battistella, the Belvedere boosted the career of many athletes and represents a first-row ticket to the professional scene.
“I’m not going to hide: winning the Belvedere would be a major feat for my future. I even trained together with Battistella – winner in 2019 and fellow Astana rider – in the pre-season and I will ask him for some tips. I would love to retrace his steps: first Belvedere and then U23 Road World Champion.”
Athletes taking part in the Giro del Belvedere 2022 will have to face a 166,2 km route characterized by two rings. In the first one, to be repeated 14 times, the riders will tackle the « Conche » ascent, while the final circuit, to be repeated twice, includes the main climb of the race, the Montaner from the Borgo Canalet side, and the treacherous Via delle Longhe uphill.
The 83rd edition of the Treviso’s event will feature 34 teams, equally divided between Italians and foreigners. No less than 14 countries will be represented, with 22 UCI Continental teams and the absolute debut of a UCI Professional team Bardiani-CSF-Faizané.
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