"GC is for Jai Hindley. I’m still young, and there’s no point overdoing it" – Giulio Pellizzari shuts down talk of Red Jersey challenge at La Vuelta 2025

As the peloton gathers in Turin ahead of this year’s Vuelta a Espana, one of the most talked-about names on the startlist is Giulio Pellizzari — though not, as some might expect, for a general classification challenge. The 21-year-old Italian, fresh off a breakout Giro d’Italia and a strong showing at the recent Vuelta a Burgos, has been quick to manage expectations heading into what will be the second Grand Tour of his season.

"The GC is for Jai Hindley," Pellizzari states matter-of-factly in conversation with Bici.Pro. “I’m still young, and there’s no point overdoing it. The team is pushing for me to go for stage wins — that’s the goal. It’s my second Grand Tour this year, and the focus is on gaining experience and taking opportunities when they come.”

It’s a level-headed approach from a rider whose stock has risen sharply in 2025. Pellizzari, riding for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, lit up the mountains at the Giro earlier this season, earning plaudits for his aggressive style and resilience in the high passes, giving a sense that his trajectory is only heading in one direction.

Yet, rather than chasing overall ambitions in Spain, the Italian is keeping his targets well-defined — and realistic.

Back in May, Pellizzari won fans over with fearless rides in the Dolomites and a memorable performance on the slopes of San Valentino Brentonico, where he finished 3rd. “I like this kind of freedom,” he says now. “It reminds me of last year’s Giro, when I was free to do what I wanted. You can go for breakaways, or even stay with the favourites for as long as possible. It’s the kind of racing I enjoy.”

But it’s not just enjoyment — it’s education. While some young climbers might be tempted to chase GC results prematurely, Pellizzari and his team are taking a longer view, prioritising three-week endurance and stage-hunting opportunities over a red jersey dream.

“Three-week races are key for my development,” he explains. “We actually took the Vuelta out of my programme after the Giro, but I really pushed with my coach to bring it back. I knew it would help me take the next step — more than racing in Canada or Germany. This is where you grow.”

Pellizzari’s lead-up to the Vuelta has followed a structured rhythm, starting with a period of full recovery after the Giro. “I took two weeks off — one completely off the bike, and then one where I rode just when I felt like it,” he recalls. “Then I started building back gradually. At the Italian Nationals, I was really feeling the lack of form — still thinking about the legs I had at the Giro!”

Since then, it’s been a summer largely spent at altitude: a stint in Trentino, 23 days in Livigno, and plenty of structured training with a close-knit group of teammates, including Matteo Sobrero and Giovanni Aleotti. “It was tough,” he laughs. “We had a three-day training block where everything just hit me. The first day we had to delay because of rain, then the next was full-on intensity work — VO2 max intervals, 40-20s… The following days, I was cooked. But the group we had made it enjoyable — suffering together helps.”

Despite not feeling at his best in Burgos — “the sensations weren’t amazing,” he admits — Pellizzari still finished fourth overall, losing the podium only in the final stage. Against a field that included seasoned pros in peak form, it was a quiet reminder of his class.

“I knew it would be a hard race,” he says. “But looking back, I would have signed for a top-five before it started. And riding with the front group on the queen stage gave me confidence. It showed me that, even without top legs, I could still be there.”

That measured confidence is evident in how Pellizzari approaches this Vuelta. He hasn't studied the route in detail — “I’m taking it stage by stage,” he says — but is already eyeing the second individual time trial as a key objective. “I’ll go full gas,” he says. “It’s not just about this race — it’s about the future. Time trialling is important for stage racing, and I want to see where I stand.”

It’s a notably mature view from a rider just 21 years old, who seems to understand both his current level and long-term goals with unusual clarity. His focus is on process, not pressure. Growth, not glory — at least not yet.

When asked whether he’s noticed a change in how the peloton views him, he shrugs it off. “No, not really. I’ve always had a lot of friends in the bunch. I like laughing, joking around — even during races. That hasn’t changed, and I hope it never does.”

That doesn’t mean he lacks ambition. Far from it. Pellizzari is still very much looking forward to measuring himself against the elite — names like Jonas Vingegaard, João Almeida, and Carlos Rodríguez. “There’s definitely curiosity,” he says. “And the fact I’m not racing for GC means I can still test myself. Whether that’s getting into breakaways or trying to stay with the top guys — I’m excited for that.”

In a sport increasingly obsessed with youth and precocity, Pellizzari offers a refreshing antidote: a rider who knows he’s talented, but isn’t in a hurry to prove everything at once. His Vuelta will be one of exploration, not expectation — and that may be exactly why he ends up surprising us.