"Giulio is a kind person, he respects contracts" - Pellizzari transfer rumours dismissed after Red Bull climber linked with surprise move
Cycling
Giulio Pellizzari's agent has revealed that the Italian climber has a not-so-secret admirer in XDS Astana boss Alexander Vinokourov. Confirming the rumours that the WorldTour team were interested in luring the Red Bull - BORA Hansgrohe rider to their team, Alex Carera has issued a definitive update on his future.
Pellizzari has endured a rollercoaster season that saw him show remarkable promise in spring before an illness during the Giro d'Italia derailed his general classification bid. At just 22-years-old and already with a Vuelta a Espana stage win under his belt, he was subject of speculation that he could be in for a surprise move to the Italian-rooted team.
Noting that Pellizzari will honour the current long term contract with Red Bull, Carera appeared to dismiss the rumours but did admit that Vinokourov is a fan of the rider.
First of, however, the super-agent - who also manages Tadej Pogacar - praised Pellizzari's development as he acknowledged that setbacks such as his Giro participation are better happening now than in his prime.
Giulio Pellizzari
“You learn from your mistakes"
“You learn from your mistakes and grow. Even in a season of ups and downs, Giulio has shown himself to be a pure talent . At the Giro he got sick and in the third week he wasn't able to get back to the Giulio he was before," Carera said on RadioCorsa.
"The same thing happened at the World Championships. At 22, the path is in his hands. There have been a few mistakes, but it's better to make mistakes while you want to grow than while you're aiming for the goal.”
Carera addressed the XDS Astana transfer interest: “I can confirm two things: it's true that Giulio Pellizzari has a long contract with Red Bull and is happy with it.
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"But I can also confirm that Alexander Vinokourov, the great manager of XDS Astana, who had a special connection with the Italians, as with Nibali, absolutely adores Giulio Pellizzari. Giulio is a kind person, he respects contracts. He's very happy at Red Bull and will respect his contract.”
Looking ahead to 2027, the climber has been linked with a return to the Giro following his physical issues at the race.
Carera said: "He could be and will be one of the great protagonists, one of the great stars, at the Giro d'Italia. If he's at the start, it will be to compete with great opponents. We'll see some great things next year."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- Their team had a strategy of Tadej winning and del Toro being second of third. Tadej had to help him all along that route. However, it's clear those two guys are very close friends, so it's understandable. Del Toro is impressive too, this was his first Tour. He and Paul Seixas are going to be competitors throughout their careers and it's going to fun to watch.awp30-10-2026
- There is no doubt about that, Jonas is a beast. If you remember back, he was much lighter for the 2024 Tour than normal after that crash because he had so much muscle loss, but he still raced and finished second, he cried at the end because he didn't think he would make the podium when he decided to race it, but did it anyway.awp30-10-2026
- Yes, he needs to go for his sixth Tour win. He's the best cyclist in history so he needs to get to his sixth. There is time for Roubaix later.awp30-10-2026
- An 'any excuse for CUTD to mention Pogacar' story 😁
leedorney30-10-2026 - As far as i saw the tour He dropped both Sexias and Remco on multiple stages even after the Giro, so rather they will be under pressure from him since he will be behind. He has already won the TDF, they haven't, he has nothing to lose.abstractengineer30-10-2026
- "Naturally, we want the suspense to last as long as possible," there is no suspense, we already know the result. If they design routes like this it will be like 2017 where Froome just win based on his TT and Uran just followed wheels into 2nd, a very horrible tour but times were pretty close by without major actions.abstractengineer30-10-2026
- Breakthrough win came from breakthrough tactics not breakthrough performance. Mcnulty will still be the same. Del Toro was inconsistent, at Dauphine he was good and at TDF he was struggling. He has not yet won any monument or GT, he will but he has not yet. None of them are close to pogi, >1 level down. Del Toro should not be at the TDF if he is going to slow down Pogi.abstractengineer30-10-2026
- same risk as every year. even if he crashes and breaks a collarbone or the like, there would be enough time to heal and regain fitness for the vuelta, which - although not the tour - is probably the more worthy season goal for his palmares.Ketterechts30-10-2026
- I Agree he should skip the tour, Pogi will win by 10 minutes, Remco will Crash and burn. Del Toro and Sexias will finish on the podium. THen they will again design for Jonasabstractengineer30-10-2026
- it's just that he won't be able to win the vuelta with pogi finishing up what he started this year.Ketterechts30-10-2026
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