Italy doesn’t have a real Gran Tour contender however 20-year-old Giulio Pellizzari (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) grew to become the tifosi’s new idol and hope for the longer term in the course of the 2024 Giro d’Italia.
Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) will trip into Rome on Sunday in the perfect younger rider’s white jersey and end fifth total and can also be a rider for the longer term. Nevertheless, the tifosi cheered for Pellizzari probably the most, as he went on the assault on the slopes of Monte Grappa. On the end of stage 20, he sat slumped, drained, however completely satisfied after one other day on the assault.
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Staff Emirates) closed down Pellizzari’s solo assault on Monte Grappa however the Italian managed to stick with the chase and end sixth on the stage.
“I didn’t win the stage as I’d hoped however I believe time is on my aspect,” Pellizzari stated with optimism. “After I was on the climb alone, everybody was calling my identify and cheering me on. It made me really feel as if I had three legs!”
Extra importantly, he was first to the summit of Monte Grappa on the primary climb of the mountain and was second behind Pogačar on the second and remaining time over the 18km climb. He scored 58 factors within the mountains classification and so moved previous Georg Steinhauser (EF Schooling-EasyPost) into second place, behind Pogačar.
With the Slovenian sporting the pink jersey in the course of the remaining stage, Pellizzari will trip into Rome within the blue jersey. It’s simply rewards for his excellent driving within the remaining week of his debut Giro d’Italia.
Pellizzari was second to Pogačar on the stage 16 Monte Pana end after occurring the assault. Pogačar caught and handed him in sight of the end.
Pogačar appeared eager to let Pellizzari win the stage within the Dolomites, as they’ve the identical agent, however different riders impacted the racing to the road, forcing Pogačar to press on.
In compensation, Pogačar gave Pellizzari his maglia rosa and sun shades from the stage, in order that the Italian might fulfill a request from his younger brother.
Pellizzari had grown up admiring Pogačar, {a photograph} from 2019 capturing the 2 collectively at Strade Bianche. Pellizzari was 15 years previous at the moment, whereas Pogačar was a neo-pro with UAE Staff Emirates.
Pellizzari was additionally within the break of the day on stage 15 and stage 20 of the 2024 Giro d’Italia. His second place total on the 2023 Tour de l’Avenir behind Isaac del Toro of UAE Staff Emirates, was not by probability.
“I got here to Monte Grappa to see the Giro when Nairo Quintana received the time trial. To be again right here and occurring the assault fills me with pleasure.”
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