The 2024 Junior World Champion launched his decisive move on the Montaner climb, soloing to victory in Villa di Cordignano ahead of Slovenia’s Omrzel and Austria’s Schrettl. A minute of silence was observed before the start to honor the passing of Pope Francis
From Junior World Champion in Zurich to winner of a top-tier U23 classic in Villa di Cordignano: in under seven months, Lorenzo Finn has gone from a promising prospect to a confirmed talent, claiming victory at the Giro del Belvedere international classic.
In a cycling nation like Italy—always searching for the next rider capable of sparking the fans’ passion—new hope has been ignited. The talent riding for the RedBull-BORA-Hansgrohe Development Team made a spectacular debut at the Easter Monday Classic, immediately leaving his mark.
Behind Finn, Slovenia’s Jakob Omrzel (Bahrain Victorious) and Austrian national champion Marco Schrettl (Tirol KTM) rounded out the podium, on a day overshadowed by the news of Pope Francis’ passing. The news reached Villa di Villa once the event operations were already underway. The organizing committee, Pro Belvedere, honored the moment with a heartfelt minute’s silence before delivering a day of high-level cycling in respectful tribute to a loss deeply felt across both religious and civic communities.
RACE REPORT
The 86th edition of the Giro del Belvedere got underway at 1:15 PM and was animated by aggressive racing from the start. At kilometer 9, a three-man breakaway formed—Bozicevich (MG.K Vis), Turri (Padovani), and Zanolini (Trentino Cycling Team)—soon joined by four chasers: Lopez Diaz (Padrones Cortizo), Van Zeeland (Maxsolar), Zemke (Rad-Net), and Pezzani (Trentino Cycling Team). The seven riders came together during the second of eight laps on the Conche circuit, eventually building a maximum lead of 7’37” by the end of the seventh lap.
Entering the central loop, featuring the Piai della Vigna climb, the peloton began to close the gap. Over five laps, the breakaway’s advantage steadily decreased. Turri was the first to drop from the lead group with 56 km to go, followed by Van Zeeland at -49 km. The remaining four were caught and dropped by a chase group led by Sebastian Putz (RedBull-BORA-Hansgrohe).
On the penultimate ascent of Piai della Vigna, a new group emerged: Austrian Putz got clear along with Schwarzbacher (UAE), Omrzel (Bahrain), and original breakaway survivors Zemke and Pezzani. On the punishing slopes of the Montaner, Omrzel attacked, shedding Zemke, Pezzani, Putz, and eventually Schwarzbacher. That’s when Lorenzo Finn, riding strongly from the peloton, launched his own move on the Montaner.
In the final lap, Omrzel was caught by Schwarzbacher, Finn, Van Kerckhove (Visma), and Schrettl. Putz, having ridden selflessly in support of Finn, was ultimately dropped. On the final ascent of the Montaner, the Italian made his winning move—a searing attack that left no response. With the chasers unable to follow, Finn soloed triumphantly into Villa di Cordignano.
Omrzel and Schrettl secured second and third place respectively, followed by Slovakia’s Schwarzbacher in fourth and Belgium’s Van Kerckhove in fifth.
Completing the top ten were Dane Oxenberg (Lotto-Kern), Mexican Macias (Petrolike), Italian Borgo (Bahrain Victorious), Briton Pattinson (Team Visma), and Irishman Meehan (AVC Aix Provence).
FINN: “FANTASTIC TEAM, A PERFECT DAY”
“I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Lorenzo Finn post-race. “A huge thanks to the team—we raced perfectly. It was a really tough day with a big early break that gained a massive lead. Putz tried to anticipate the moves on the first Montaner climb, and Donati guided me brilliantly. On the second Montaner, I found the right moment to go and managed to win this special race—my first international U23 victory.”
“I already felt strong at Liège–Bastogne–Liège U23, and today I had great feelings throughout the race. Winning is never easy, but I really wanted this one. Next goals? Giro NextGen, Tour de l’Avenir, and the World Championships.”
