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Follow us on GoogleGiulio Pellizzari had a fantastic year with Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. But the Italian himself would admit that he could have done even better. The young climber is definitely one of the riders to watch. Other teams are doing the same. But Pellizzari himself has brushed off the interest.
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Pellizzari took a big leap forward at Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
Pellizzari made a strong impression in his first year as a pro with Bardiani and, as a 20-year-old top prospect, was signed by Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe.
There, he immediately took a giant leap forward, finishing sixth in both the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España. He also won a stage in the latter race. His upward trajectory continued early in 2026.
He finished third in the Tirreno-Adriatico and won two stages and the overall classification of the Tour of the Alps in dominant fashion.
This made him perhaps the main challenger to Jonas Vingegaard heading into the Giro d’Italia, but illness threw a wrench in the works. He then decided to skip the Vuelta and picked up a few more victories in the fall.
Pellizzari won no fewer than seven times in 2026.
2026 Was a Learning Experience for Pellizzari
But after his amazing spring, 2026 ended up being a bit of a letdown for the 22-year-old Italian. His agent, Alex Carera, however, calls it an important learning experience.
“You learn and grow from your mistakes,” he tells Radiocorsa. “Even in a season with highs and lows, Giulio has shown that he’s a natural talent. He got sick during the Giro and couldn’t get back to his previous level in the third week.”
With Primož Roglič’s departure from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, more responsibility will fall on Pellizzari’s shoulders in 2027.
Together with Remco Evenepoel, Florian Lipowitz, and Jai Hindley, he forms the core of the team’s bid for overall victories in Grand Tours, while young talents are also knocking on the door. But suddenly, a wild transfer rumor surfaced.
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Will we see Pellizzari in the Giro next year?
XDS Astana was trying to sign Pellizzari
Because despite his contract running through 2029, reports suggest there has been interest in Pellizzari.
XDS Astana lost quite a few climbers—including Sergio Higuita, Cristián Rodríguez, Clément Champoussin, and Harold Tejada—and is reportedly looking to fill that void with a top-tier rider. “I can confirm that Alexander Vinokourov thinks Giulio Pellizzari is absolutely fantastic,” Carera said.
It’s been a while since XDS Astana has been able to boast a true general classification contender. The last time the team finished in the top five of a Grand Tour?
That was with Vincenzo Nibali in 2022. Fabio Aru also put in some great performances with the team: the Italian connection is clearly there. But Pellizzari’s agent is clear on the matter. “Giulio respects contracts. He’s incredibly happy at Red Bull and will honor his contract.”
And so the German team can look forward to 2027 with confidence. It will also be an important year for Pellizzari. Can he continue his progress? And where will he race?
A spot in the Giro d'Italia seems like a foregone conclusion once again. “If he starts, it will be to take on the biggest names,” said Carera. “We can expect something special next year.”
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David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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