With less than two weeks to go, the Giro del Belvedere is starting to take shape and gain more protagonists. While the return of the defending champions from UAE Team Emirates Gen Z gives the U23 event on Monday, April 21st a global dimension, it's time to discover who are the most accredited rivals of the Emirates squad, winner in 2024 with Slovenian Gal Glivar.

In a Spring World Championship increasingly international and technically challenging, the newly formed Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe Rookies could not be missing, which in its first year already boasts top-tier talents. The 'Devo' Team of the German squadron aims to "prepare young riders for their World Tour debut while simultaneously seeking maximum success in the U23 category": a statement of intent that fully reflects the ambitions of the group led by Gregor Gazvoda.

There will be a strong Italian representation in the five-rider selection that will line up in Villa di Cordignano, composed of Brescian Davide Donati, second at Belvedere in 2024, and especially Genoese Lorenzo Finn, the fresh Junior World Champion who aims to showcase his full potential from his first steps in the new category.

"The season is currently proceeding perfectly," Finn began. "At the start, there were some ups and downs, but after the Coppi and Bartali Week, I started to feel a clear improvement in condition that makes me confident. I can't wait to race in the upcoming U23 events, including the Giro del Belvedere: much will depend on how the race develops, but the team's objective is to win."

Finn and the other riders from the German team will arrive in Villa di Cordignano specifically for the race. "Before that, there's Liège-Bastogne-Liège (on April 19th), we'll try to do a reconnaissance the day before the race to understand the course's secrets. I want to be in top form for this event: to achieve a good result and support the team as required by our race plan. Maybe racing directly for Davide Donati, who last year already showed he can win."

Alongside the young Italians will be Austrian Sebastian Putz, ninth last year at the Villa di Cordignano finish line, British Callum Thornley, who boasts a top-10 at the U23 Paris-Roubaix, and Australian Luke Tuckwell, among the top ten in the latest Giro d'Italia Next Gen.

The course of the 86th Giro del Belvedere measures 168 km with 2085 meters of elevation gain: to the classic difficulties of Conche and Montaner has been added the central climb of Piai della Vigna, which will also host the "Giro del Buongustare", a food and wine route for the public dedicated to local excellence.