"I got a good slap in the face" - Giulio Pellizzari take one step forward in Slovenia, after his disappointing performance in the Giro

After a frustrating Giro d'Italia campaign, Giulio Pellizzari is already looking ahead with renewed confidence. The Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe climber returned to racing at the Tour of Slovenia, where he immediately showed encouraging signs of form, and is now set to line up at the 2026 Italian National Championships.

Pellizzari's Giro d'Italia ended well below the expectations that surrounded one of Italy's brightest young talents. However, his race was heavily influenced by physical problems that emerged during the second week, leaving him unable to recover, both physically and mentally, for the decisive final days of the race.

Despite that disappointment, the Italian found his rhythm again in Slovenia, producing a strong ride in support of teammate Florian Lipowitz. The performance has given him confidence ahead of a second half of the season that will focus on Italian one-day races rather than another Grand Tour, while also leaving the door open for a possible selection to represent Italy at the UCI Road World Championships.

Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pellizzari admitted that the Giro was a painful experience, but one that he believes will help him grow as a rider.

"I consider it a lesson, a way to learn. I got a good slap in the face that will be useful to me in the future. The result didn't come, but I have much more experience now."

The 21-year-old also addressed the comments he made immediately after finishing in Rome, when he jokingly suggested he wanted to throw everything away.

"I was joking, if you watch the footage where I said it... it's very clear. I even started laughing. Some 'little newspapers' took it seriously, maybe just to create some controversy."

Pellizzari also explain how important the Tour of Slovenia was for rebuilding both his confidence and his sensations on the bike after a difficult Giro.

"I found again those good feelings on the bike that I no longer had at the Giro starting from stage nine, the one to Corno alle Scale. With 'Lipo' we had fun, I'm happy with how it went."

The result also reinforced his belief that shorter stage races suit him well.

"Finding consistency was one of the things I wanted from this season. Being there, being present. It was the best way to go on holiday now, and then come back relaxed to have a good second part of the season."

Pellizzari confirmed that he will not ride another Grand Tour in 2026, instead focusing on a schedule built around late-season races.

"I won't do any more Grand Tours. San Sebastian and Vuelta a Burgos in August. Several one-day races in Italy in September, including Larciano, Coppa Sabatini and Memorial Pantani. I hope for the World Championships, there's a question mark over the European Championships, and then I'll finish with Il Lombardia."

Although he will not be racing the Tour de France, he will still be following the action closely.

"I don't know if the fight for the overall victory is really open considering how Pogacar is riding. But for the other podium places it is, and I hope my teammates, starting with Evenepoel and Lipowitz, do well."

Some observers suggested Pellizzari may have reached his best condition too soon after winning the Tour of the Alps, but the Italian does not agree with that assessment.

"I don't think so. None of those who were fighting for victory at the Alps were at one hundred per cent. Neither was I, I could see it from my data and my numbers. They certainly weren't my best. At the Giro I was improving, then what happened happened. I never recovered after that, that's all."

While the Giro d'Italia was far from the breakthrough Pellizzari had hoped for, the Italian appears determined to use the experience as motivation. With renewed confidence after the Tour of Slovenia and a programme built around races that suit his characteristics, he now has the opportunity to keep his season on a much stronger note.