Don't ask him for gifts, but fireworks. Giulio Pellizzari says he's not good at buying presents under the tree, yet he's training properly and could soon give precious joys to Italian cycling. In his first year in the World Tour, the 22-year-old Marche cyclist from Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe finished sixth in the general classification of both the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España, where he also scored a beautiful stage victory. For 2026? He sets no limits, indeed he wants to "explode".

Merry Christmas Giulio!

"Thank you, I wish you and all readers a nice day with family. I'm in Camerino with mom Francesca, dad Achille, my two older siblings Gabriele and Giorgia, and the closest relatives. We'll spend the day between meals and games. The menu is rich and classic tortellini in broth won't be missing."

What did you ask Santa for?

"Nothing in particular, I'm not good at buying gifts and I don't expect anything. Given how much we cyclists travel during the year between races and training camps, the most precious gift is spending time with loved ones. That's why today the bike stays in the garage, on December 25th we rest and enjoy the holiday."

What are your plans for New Year's?

"I'll be in Aprica with my colleague and friend Davide Piganzoli (about to leave Polti VisitMalta for Visma Lease a Bike, ed.), our girlfriends (Giulio has been romantically involved for three years with Andrea Casagranda, who races among the Elites in Bepink jersey, ed.) and my former teammate Luca Paletti from VF Group Bardiani-CSF Faizan. On the 31st we'll do a long ride, then from January 1st I'll return to San Marino until the 8th when I'll leave for three weeks of training at Teide. I'll descend from the altitude directly to the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana where I'll pin on my first number on my back on February 4th and race for the first time in a team with Remco Evenepoel."

On your socials at the end of the holidays you wrote Rome wasn't built in a day. Are you already thinking about Rome?

"In Bulgaria, better to start from there (jokes, ed). The Giro d'Italia is still far away, but I'm thinking about it and want to work my best to be ready. In the calendar, I've circled in red Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico, which this time passes really close to home. I'd like to win the Tour of the Alps, one of my favorite races. In 2026 I want to grow and get the most possible, without setting limits."