Pellizzari and Hindley co-leaders: Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe name a Giro squad fully focused on GC

Jonas Vingegaard is the overwhelming favourite for the Giro d'Italia, but Giulio Pellizzari may well be his most dangerous rival. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe announced their squad around the talented Italian on Tuesday via X — and it includes a former Giro winner alongside him.

Pellizzari is having an excellent year. Podium finishes at the Tour of Valencia and Tirreno-Adriatico were followed by a convincing overall victory at the Tour of the Alps. That run of results has elevated the young Italian into the position of Vingegaard's most credible challenger — particularly after finishing sixth at last year's Giro on home roads.

Pellizzari told IDL that his confidence is high, and he has not been shy about his ambitions. After winning the Tour of the Alps, he made clear that a top five or a podium would not satisfy him. He is going for the win — and the team around him reflects that intent.

Among those named is the 2022 Giro winner: Jai Hindley will serve as the second co-leader alongside Pellizzari. A similar case could be made for Alexandr Vlasov, another former protected rider in his own right. The Russian finished fourth at the Giro in 2021 and knows what it takes to perform across three weeks — though the team has designated him as a luxury domestique in the high mountains.

Giovanni Aleotti and Ben Zwiehoff will be important for positioning in the mountain stages, while the experienced Nico Denz and Gianni Moscon take on the flatter terrain. Mick van Dijke — rewarded for a strong spring — completes the eight as the squad's sole Dutchman.

Team director Zak Dempster has full confidence in his group. "We start this race with the goal of riding a good general classification. Jai [Hindley] and Giulio [Pellizzari] share the leadership and have a good relationship with each other."

Dempster is particularly pleased with his squad's versatility. "We have a very balanced team, which is what you need to protect your GC leaders properly."

Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, he makes clear, have not come to the Giro to simply follow wheels. "We want to race ambitiously, but with the necessary patience. We will do everything we can to support both leaders as well as possible and be there when the Giro reaches its decisive moment."