"Everyone in Italy is waiting for the new Nibali" - Italian supertalent Lorenzo Finn not pressured by expectations
Cycling
The Giro d'Italia of Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe was far from what the German team had hoped for with their Italian talent Giulio Pellizzari somewhat saving the image with a sixth spot overall. But they needn't worry because another Italian supertalent is growing up in their new under-23 academy: Lorenzo Finn.
He's only completed 14 race days this season, but the performances of the 2024 junior world champion were already turning heads. But the first real test of his talent is coming up two weeks from now with the so called "Baby Giro" (Giro d'Italia Next Gen). His competition will consist of some of the very best under-23 talents out there; Jorgen Nordhagen, Jarno Widar or Adria Pericas.
The Italian magazine Tuttobici questioned the 18-year-old Italian with view to his big GC debut: "We have worked well and I have no pressure. Now that my collarbone injury is healed, we are focusing with the team on this big goal. I can't wait," Finn said excitedly.
Despite the Rookies programme was only set up before this season, Finn will be able to rely on a full support from this team. "I will be surrounded by expert teammates and a staff that will support us 100%, as they are already excelling in this preparation phase. I will do my best. The goal, as always, is to test myself and improve. This first 'Grand Tour' represents another important step in my progression."
"I'm arriving in good shape, we'll see what the road holds for us... If the expected results are there, great, if not, we have a lot of cards to play in the team. In the under-23 category, everything is new for me and this Giro Next Gen will be the longest race I've ever ridden."
New Vincenzo Nibali?
Since Vincenzo Nibali's victory at the 2016 Giro d'Italia, Italy is anxiously awaiting the arrival of their new GC star. And Finn could fulfill those expectations. Even if he knows there's a lot of work to do before that. "I know everyone in Italy is waiting for 'the new Nibali' for the Grand Tours, but it's definitely too early to consider me that way. I still have a lot of work to do and there's no rush."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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