"My wish is to race a Grand Tour in 2027" - Red Bull's supertalent has eyes set on one goal in debut professional season
Cycling
Lorenzo Finn heads to the 2026 Montréal World Championships with the calm of a rider who already knows how to win on the international stage. The Italian, just 19, will line up in Sunday’s elite road race after claiming the under-23 title last year, adding to the junior world crown he secured two seasons earlier.
His build-up to this edition has not been entirely seamless. After his brilliant victory at the Tour de l’Avenir, Finn had to deal with some physical setbacks that slightly checked his momentum. However, the Italian insists he is ready for the main objective and approaches the race without fear, buoyed by results from a season in which, in his own words, he has hit the targets he set himself.
"So far I’ve met all the goals I set at the start of the year, and that puts me in the best possible position to tackle the Worlds with confidence and composure," the Italian told quibicisport days before the elite road race.
Finn again lines up as one of the key names for the Italian squad after proving he can dominate in the lower categories. Even so, he still does not know exactly what role he will be assigned within the team during the race.
"I still don’t know what role selector Amadio will give me, but the important thing is to honour the azzurro jersey and focus on achieving the best result for the team," he explained.
Lorenzo Finn in the rainbow jersey at the 2025 U23 Worlds in Kigali
The priority, then, will be to serve Italy and adapt to the race’s demands. Finn approaches the Worlds from a different position than in previous years, yet he will not pass up the chance to race for a big result if the situation opens the door to his own opportunity.
Finn’s big target for 2027
Beyond what happens at the Worlds, Finn already has an objective in mind that would mark another step forward in his progression. The Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe rider wants to ride a Grand Tour next season and makes no secret of his preference for one of the two marquee stage races in Spain and Italy.
"Obviously, we still have to discuss it with the team, but my wish is to race a Grand Tour in 2027," Finn said.
The Giro d’Italia or the Vuelta a España are thus on the horizon for a rider who is still only 19, yet already owns world titles in the junior and under-23 ranks and a prestigious victory at the Tour de l’Avenir, the "mini-Tour de France" where he found no rival this summer.
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Before taking that leap, however, he must face the World Championships. Finn arrives in Canada aiming to enjoy another opportunity in the blue kit and, above all, to compete with the same composure that has defined a season in which he feels he has achieved every objective he set.
As has become a bit of a tradition in recent seasons, the Italian nomination lacks a clear favourite, instead betting on multiple cards on Sunday. Giulio Ciccone, Giulio Pellizzari, Davide Piganzoli and Christian Scaroni will all hope to feature in the battle for medals. They'll be supported by Matteo Trentin, Alberto Bettiol, Mattia Cattaneo and the young Finn.
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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leedorney06-11-2026 - Just my opinionleedorney06-11-2026
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