170 riders, 34 teams: tomorrow, April 21, the world’s best U23 riders will compete in the Easter Monday Classic. Putz, Schrettl, Omrzel and Italians Donati, Borgo, Finn, and Turconi top the contenders list
Tomorrow, Monday, April 21, 34 teams (17 Italian and 17 foreign) and 170 riders (representing 35 countries) will start from Villa di Cordignano (Treviso) for the 86th Giro del Belvedere, with the goal of taking the baton from Slovenian Gal Glivar, winner in 2024.
In its 102 years of history, the Easter Monday Classic has consecrated many talents. From Silvio Martinello (1983), Maurizio Fondriest (1986) and Ivan Gotti (1990), to the winners of recent editions who have already made their way among professionals, Juan Ayuso (2021) and Romain Grégoire (2022).
Climbers, powerful riders, athletes who can compete in the Northern races – the Giro del Belvedere is open to many scenario. International contenders are Austrians Sebastian Putz (RedBull-BORA), and Marco Schrettl (Tirol KTM), winner a few days ago in San Vendemiano. Furthermore, the promising Slovenian Jakob Omrzel (Bahrain Victorious Devo Team), Belgian Duarte Marivoet (UAE Team Emirates Gen Z), second at the Trofeo Piva, and British rider Tomas Pattinson (Team Visma | Lease a Bike).
Italy’s hopes are on Lorenzo Finn (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies), Junior World Champion last year in Zurich, and recent fifth at U23 Liege-Bastogne-Liegi and third place at the Giro della Città Metropolitana di Reggio Calabria among pros. Together with Finn, the German team will line up Davide Donati, second last year. Fellow Italian contenders are recent winner of the Trofeo Piva, Filippo Turconi (VF Group-Bardiani CSF Faizané), Lorenzo Nespoli (MBH Bank Ballan), Alessandro Borgo (Bahrain Victorious Devo Team), and Filippo Agostinacchio (Biesse Carrera Premac).
Cheering them on will be Italian cycling icons like Gianni Motta, winner of the 1966 Giro d’Italia, and Gilberto Simoni, two times Maglia Rosa in 2001 and 2003, together with Dino Zandegù, Sacha Modolo, and pro cyclists Davide Cimolai, and Andrea Vendrame.
The organization of Pro Belvedere ASD confirmed the 168 km route with start and finish in Villa di Cordignano. After eight passages on the initial Conche circuit, the central part will feature the climb of Piai della Vigna, unveiled in 2023 for the Centennial edition and since then a crucial stint of the race. In the last two laps, the main challenges are the Montaner and Via delle Longhe climbs.
