The Italian hopes are pinned on the 22-year-old prospect, awaited on the starting grid on Monday, April 5th at Villa di Villa trying to repeat the exploit of the last winner.

In 2019, Samuele Battistella took the first place in Villa di Cordignano, winning the Giro del Belvedere in a two-way sprint before catching up the rainbow jersey in the U23 category in Harrogate few months later, while this year the Italian hopes to witness a rerun are on another name.

Among the 18 Italian teams at the starting line on Monday, April 5th, 2021, one of the most awaited riders is undoubtedly Luca Colnaghi, 22, rider of U.C. Trevigiani Campana Imballaggi. After a solid season start, Colnaghi looks forward to 82nd Giro del Belvedere with extra motivations “we race to leave a mark on the team’s home roads. Taking a good place at Giro del Belvedere is a prestigious result as it’s a tough and high-level international race, where many champions won in the past”, said Luca Colnaghi.

After claiming two stages and the points classification at the last editions of Giro d’Italia U23, Luca Colnaghi aims to confirm his shape in 2021. The first steps have been promising thanks to the victory at the Trofeo Pizzeria Ristorante “One Penny” in Lucca and the fifth place at the “Per Sempre Alfredo” with the Italian national team. Colnaghi also attended the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali, withdrawing in the third stage after a crash in the sprint.

“The season got off to a positive start despite a foot injury during the winter. I’ve recovered after the crash at Coppi e Bartali that forced me to back up, and I aim to do well at the Giro del Belvedere as well as the following races. I want to catch a spot in the national team for the U23 World Championships”, said the U.C. Trevigiani’s rider.

Among the other Italians at the start line in Villa di Villa, Alessio Martinelli will share the Team Colpack Ballan’s leadership with the Spanish Juan Ayuso. Zalf Euromobil Desirée Fior led by Edoardo Zambanini and the other home squads will keep up a solid pace to make the race hard for the foreigner teams with Alexander Balmer (Groupama FDJ Continental), Leo Hayter (Team DSM Continental) and Valentin Paret-Peintre (AG2R Citroen U23) among the main favourites.

The riders will tackle a 166,8-Km route through two different circuits: the first (14 laps of 9,4 Km each) including the Conche hill, whilst the final circuit (17,6 Km to be repeated twice) displays the classic Montaner climb in Borgo Canalet.

In compliance with the current Italian regulations, Giro del Belvedere will be held without spectators, but fans will get the opportunity to follow the competition by live streaming. Starting from 4.20 pm CET., Giro del Belvedere footage will be broadcasted on the Facebook page and Youtube channel of the event and Tuttobiciweb.it, one of the most popular cycling media in Italy.