Juan Ayuso, Romain Grégoire and Stefan Küng have won it. The man rewriting the history of modern cycling, Tadej Pogačar, has merely brushed against it, just like Aleksandr Vlasov and Tao Geoghegan Hart. One thing is certain: the Giro del Belvedere has highlighted many champions.

This is the story of an event that will celebrate its 86th edition on Monday, April 21st in Villa di Cordignano (Treviso). A success story, begun in the distant 1923, that resists the mutations of this sport. Cycling changes, becomes increasingly global, becomes a sport that celebrates young talent every passing day, but the 'Belvedere' remains, a showcase and crossroads for those dreaming of a place in professional (and perhaps World Tour) cycling.

Along with the large group of Italians, the Easter Monday Classic welcomes the best at the international level, ready to compete in the "mini World Championship" of spring. Spotlight on Austria, a country not of immediate cycling tradition but investing profitably in the sport: Sebastian Putz from Red Bull-Bora, third last year at Palio del Recioto, is a highly anticipated name when the road goes uphill. With him, Marco Schrettl, the U23 Austrian Champion with Tirol KTM, winner a few days ago in San Vendemiano.

This year also couldn't miss the rising star from Slovenia, the country of Tadej Pogačar and Primoz Roglic, who in 2024 won the Giro del Belvedere with Gal Glivar. This year it will be the talent of Jakob Omrzel who will shine on the hills of Treviso. Unfortunate protagonist of a serious accident last year at Giro della Lunigiana, the Bahrain-Victorious rider has proven competitive (and victorious) at Junior level both when the road goes up and on the pavé of Paris-Roubaix. Comparisons in his home country are abundant, supported by his fifth place at Trofeo Piva, in one of his first appearances among U23.

The "Piva" has highlighted the pure climbing skills of Belgian Duarte Marivoet, second in the classic of Col San Martino. Probably the Belvedere route presents climbs too short for the UAE Team Emirates Gen Z rider, but if there's a U23 classic open to every scenario and rider, it's the Easter Monday race. For the Belgian, it won't be simple to prevail in the sprint on the slightly uphill straight of Villa di Cordignano, but on the Montaner climb he will be a wheel to watch when the race heats up.

From England comes the new bet of Team Visma | Lease a Bike: eighth last year, Tomos Pattinson will try again with great ambitions, backed by the excellent condition shown at the Istrian Spring Tour. Not to be underestimated are the Mexicans Cesar Macias, third at Trofeo Piva, and José Juan Prieto, second in San Vendemiano, both from Team Petrolike, and the powerful Slovak Matthias Schwarzbacher (UAE Team Emirates), sixth a few days ago at Paris-Roubaix Espoirs but capable of staying with the best uphill both at Trofeo Piva and Volta ao Alentejo.

168 kilometers on the program, starting at 13:15 from Villa di Cordignano with the challenges of Conche, Piai della Vigna, Montaner and Via delle Longhe awaiting the athletes. Extensive summary on Raisport on Monday, April 21st starting at 19:45 with commentary by Silvano Ploner. Between climbs and promises, at the Giro del Belvedere the future pedals faster than ever.