Italian luck at Red Bull: buddies with Pogacar and Del Toro, training with Evenepoel and Roglic

Giulio Pellizzari was without a doubt one of the big sensations of 2025. The Italian moved from Bardiani to Red Bull–BORA-hansgrohe ahead of the season — and delivered in both the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España. He finished sixth overall in both Grand Tours, and even scored a stage win in the Vuelta. In an interview with RTV Slo, he opened up about what’s behind his growth curve.

Pellizzari had already signalled himself as a major climbing talent during his three years at Bardiani. In 2024 he nearly won a Giro stage — ultimately finishing second, but he was beaten by none other than Tadej Pogacar, who after the stage gave him his jersey and sunglasses as a gift. Earlier, in 2023, Pellizzari had taken second in the Tour de l’Avenir — always a strong indicator of what a rider has in his legs.

In the 2024 "Tour of the Future", Pellizzari finished behind his good friend Isaac Del Toro — now at UAE Emirates-XRG — who in 2025 also stole part of the limelight from his Italian mate. Still, Pellizzari’s results speak for themselves, especially considering that in the 2025 Giro he spent long stretches working for Primož Roglič, and in the Vuelta had to balance ambitions with his team’s priorities around Jai Hindley.

Beyond Red Bull–BORA-hansgrohe, two Slovenian stars played an important role in Pellizzari’s development. Hence his interview with a Slovenian outlet. Pogacar is the Italian’s idol, as evidenced by their warm encounter in that Giro stage in 2024 — and even a game of padel they played for Pellizzari’s birthday in November.

"I always enjoy watching Pogacar's races," the climbing talent said on his birthday, as part of an organized event hosted by Alex Carera, Pogacar and Pellizzari's business agent. Their shared circles — including their agent — mean they already hang out socially, which makes it easier for them to spend time together, even off the bike.

But Pogacar is not the only Slovenian star influencing Pellizzari. Primož Roglič also plays a major role in his development. “I think Primož and I have become good friends,” the Italian reflected, looking back on the Giro in which he supported Roglič for two weeks. Even after several crashes that forced Roglič to withdraw, Pellizzari got his own shot — and converted it into a sixth place overall.\

“I learned a lot from him, and I was glad to ride with him,” Pellizzari said. He hopes they’ll race together again next year — depending on what Roglič wants — and wants to learn as much as possible from one of the greatest riders ever: “His 91 wins are unbelievable.”

Looking beyond Roglič, from 2026 Pellizzari may also learn a lot from the arrival of Remco Evenepoel as a new leader of Red Bull–BORA-hansgrohe. “We have now two of the four best riders in the world in the team,” Pellizzari said, referring to Roglič and Evenepoel. He sees it as a great chance for a young rider like himself to grow under their wings.