Another great U23 cycling showcase awaits the 86th Easter Monday Classic on April 21st. Among the top names riding for the crown on the roads of Treviso are Putz, Schrettl, Omrzel, Schwarzbacher, Marivoet and Pattinson
Giro del Belvedere is ready to showcase once again the very best of U23 cycling. The Easter Monday Classic crowned riders like Juan Ayuso, Romain Grégoire and Stefan Küng while Tadej Pogačar, Aleksandr Vlasov and Tao Geoghegan Hart didn’t make it to celebrate. Sure thing is that since its debut in 1923, Giro del Belvedere lines up many future stars and champions.
On Monday, April 21st, in Villa di Cordignano (Treviso, Italy) it’s time for the 86th chapter of this great adventure. Over the years, Giro del Belvedere withstood the changes of this sport and evolved with it, becoming increasingly global while maintaining the focus on young cycling talents. Those who have the chance to ride on the roads of Treviso have great skills, big dreams and great ambitions: a future in the Pro peloton and in the World Tour.
Alongside the solid amount of Italian riders, the Easter Monday Classic welcomes the best cyclists on the international level, and the Countries that are focusing the most on young talents’ development. That’s the case with Austria, steadily growing in recent years: Sebastian Putz of Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe Rookies, third last year at the Palio del Recioto, is one of the best climbers of the Espoirs category. Together with him is fellow countryman Marco Schrettl, the Austrian U23 Champion riding for Tirol KTM, who won a few days ago in San Vendemiano.
As often these days, Slovenia can’t be left out when talking about raw talents. The country of Tadej Pogačar and Primoz Roglic, as well as 2024 champion of Giro del Belvedere Gal Glivar, will line up Jakob Omrzel from Bahrain Victorious Devo Team. After a serious crash last year at the Giro della Lunigiana, Omrzel has proven himself competitive (and victorious) at the Junior level both on climbs and on the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix. In recent weeks, in one of his first appearances among the U23s, he also claimed the fifth place at the Trofeo Piva.
In the same race, another rider highlighted his pure climbing abilities and took the silver medal: it’s Belgian Duarte Marivoet. Giro del Belvedere climbs might be a bit too short for the UAE Team Emirates Gen Z rider, but the Easter Monday Classic showed plenty of times that scenario can change. A solid action on the Montaner climb, attacking from afar, could break the peloton’s legs and spirit, narrowing down the contenders to a very restricted top riders. From the same team is powerful Slovak Matthias Schwarzbacher, sixth a few days ago at the Paris-Roubaix Espoirs, and capable of keeping up with the best climbers both at the Trofeo Piva and the Volta ao Alentejo.
After the title in 2023 with Staune-Mittet, and a disappointing finale in 2024, Team Visma | Lease a Bike will give it another go with Tomos Pattinson. The Englishman, eighth last year on the finish line, will try again with great ambitions, bolstered by the excellent condition showcased at the Istrian Spring Tour. Not to be underestimated are the Mexicans Cesar Macias, third at the Trofeo Piva, and José Juan Prieto, silver medal at San Vendemiano, both riding for Team Petrolike.
The route features 168 kilometers and 2085 m elevation gain, with the start set for 1:15 PM from Villa di Cordignano. The main challenges along the way are the climbs of Conche, Piai della Vigna, Montaner, and Via delle Longhe. The hype is real, the countdown is on: Giro del Belvedere can’t wait to showcase once again the best talents of U23 cycling.
