Away from the Vuelta, cycling's next superstar enters the World Championships favourites conversation

Giulio Pellizzari has won the Giro della Toscana. The 22-year-old Italian from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe finished solo on home soil, joining an impressive list of favorites for the World Championships, which will be held later this month in Canada. Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies) finished second, and Christian Scaroni of XDS Astana came in third.

The Giro della Toscana took place on Wednesday on an 189.4-kilometer course, starting and finishing in Pontedera. The double climb up Monte Serra caused the expected split in the field. Strong riders such as Antonio Tiberi, Lenny Martinez, Pellizzari, Scaroni, and Jegat formed a group of eleven to battle it out for the win.

The breakaway of the day consisted of Oliver Bleddyn, Hugo de la Calle, Joan Bou, Davide Bais, and Matteo Spreafico, but even a maximum lead of 3 minutes wasn’t enough for them to be in contention in the final. XDS Astana and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe controlled the peloton, keeping everything under their thumb.

As early as 64 kilometers from the finish, the early breakaway riders had run out of steam, and although counterattacks followed immediately, everything came down to the final climb up Monte Serra. Lenny Martinez initiated the final offensive, which ultimately reached its climax on the descent. Pellizzari ultimately proved to be the smartest and strongest, breaking away 800 meters from the finish. That turned out to be the decisive move.

1. Giulio Pellizzaro

2. Jordan Jegat

3. Christian Scaroni

4. Lenny Martinez

5. Alessandro Fancellu