"I knew that my fate was sealed" - Giulio Pellizzari recalls sinking feeling as Tadej Pogacar hunted him down at Giro d'Italia 2024

Two of the stars of the 2024 Giro d'Italia, were Tadej Pogacar and Giulio Pellizzari. Because of the former though, the latter was denied a first Grand Tour stage victory on more than one occasion earlier this season.

Being one of the big prospects of Italian cycling, making a first appearance at his home Grand Tour marked a massive moment in Pellizzari's young career. “For me it was already an emotion to start," the 20-year-old Italian explains in conversation with the Raisport program, Radiocorsa. "I suffered the first two weeks and there was also the thought of going home. Luckily I had people around me who pushed me not to do it and at that point the goal became to get to Rome anyway. Then, things improved."

Improve they sure did. In the second half of the Giro d'Italia, Pellizzari became an almost ever present in the breakaways. Sadly for him though, the Maglia Rosa wearing Pogacar was not in a giving mood and repeatedly hunted down these breaks, denying Pellizzari and co a stage victory. The closest he came was on stage 16 as Pellizzari finished 2nd to Pogacar on the day. "I would have liked to win that day, but there will be other opportunities. Did I hope? The team car told me that he had started and at that point I knew that my fate was sealed. I played for second place and I managed to keep it,” he recalls.

His performances didn't go unnoticed though and the Italian prospect has since secured a move to the World Tour with Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe. "I was lucky enough to meet the Red Bull delegates and I immediately realized that it is a great reality," he says of the move. "They want to win and they put a bit of pressure on you, but they also give you everything you need to go fast. I can't wait to start the new season.”

In that new season, Pellizzari also already has a few goals in mind. “I don’t know the season’s program yet. I would definitely like to return to the Giro d’Italia, to do well and also to help some captains win," he concludes. "It would be nice, for my first year in the WorldTour."