Astana Qazaqstan Development Team’s Italian rider aims for gold at the 85th Giro del Belvedere (April 1st). “It’s a truly great Italian classic. Me against Team Visma? That’s a likely scenario”
Former Italian road Junior champion Alessandro Romele, 20-year-old rider from Lovere (Bergamo) – targets the Giro del Belvedere (1st April) following the best season of his early career, embellished by victories at Gran Premio Liberazione, Giro di Puglia Challenge U23, and Giro Next Gen’s stage 6.
With determination, talent, and eagerness to prove himself, Romele has earned a three-year contract with Astana Qazaqstan, to start with a transition year halfway the Development and the World Tour team (2024), before joining the pro bunch (2025 and 2026).
In the Easter Monday Classic, settled in Villa di Cordignano (Treviso), Romele aims to be in the spotlights to give shape to his dreams: “One-day races surely are my favourite garden. Giro del Belvedere, one of the most important classics in Italy, is today’s target while my future goals are Paris-Roubaix for its charm, and Milan-Sanremo for a bet with my grandfather“.
The first seasonal experiences, with the World Tour debut in the Clàssica Comunità Valenciana, AlUla Tour and Tour du Rwanda, have been fruitful. “It was a good glimpse of the professional world. Especially in Rwanda I struggled because of a mix of heat, altitude and pace, but my aim this year is to gain as much experience as possible.”
As Romele represents one of the top names in the U23 category, to be on the list of favourites is a must: “I want to collect all I can with the Development Team. I planned to be in the best shape for the Classics, such as Giro del Belvedere, before returning to the Giro Next Gen and trying to win another stage.”
2024 Giro del Belvedere route has never been so demanding: with Piai della Vigna climb, joined to the traditional Montaner and Via delle Longhe ascents, the organizers built up an unprecedented 2085-mt. elevation gain throughout 168 km.
“I have never taken part in the race” – Romele argued – “but I’m aware that only top-quality riders can excel. Me against Team Visma? It’s a likely scenario, although many other teams will fight for victory, as of my former team Colpack Ballan, but also Zalf and Cycling Team Friuli, which have strengthened their line-up. Not to mention the foreign teams that always have something extra.”
On the race’s unfolding, Romele already has clear ideas: “After I had a look to previous years’ footage, I expect a breakaway from afar more than a sprint outcome. However, in the event of a small group fighting for the victory, I can play my cards.”
