It was a spectacular and thrilling 19th Giro di Primavera that saw the 16-year-old Belgian Vic De Smet (Soudal Quick Step) prevail with a decisive move in the final stages. On the podium set up in celebration by the Sanvendemiano Cycling Team, Italian Patrik Pezzo Rosola (Nordest Petrucci Assali Stefen) and Aitor Martinez (Vangi) took their places.

RACE REPORT - A total of 165 riders took the start to tackle the usual and demanding course of the event dedicated to the memory of Gino Mazzer and Paolo Sant. The race ignited immediately on the flat sections around San Vendemiano thanks to a breakaway by five athletes. The ones to make the first move were Gal Stare (Soudal Quick Step), Edoardo Agnini (Vangi), Tomaz Medeot Lover (Team Tiepolo), Giovanni Bosio (Trevigliese) and Pietro Deon (Gottardo Giochi Caneva): the breakaway riders pedaled in agreement, building a maximum advantage that nearly reached two minutes, then the chasers increased the pace and, on the circuit laid out on the Conegliano hills, decisive selection began.

The turning point came during the fifth hill lap when the main group neutralized the initial breakaway attempt and the action was relaunched by Malthe Risbjerg and Elias Wandel (Jegg Skil), Connor Wright (WWV Hagens Berman), Nolan Pedersoli (Academy U19 Region Sud), Aitor Martinez (Vangi), Vic De Smet (Soudal Quick Step) and Patrik Pezzo Rosola (Nordest Petrucci Assali Stefen).

These seven riders took control of the race, continuing in agreement until the red triangle marking the final kilometer, where Belgian Vic De Smet, taking advantage of a moment of hesitation, accelerated and launched himself onto the finishing straight in San Vendemiano, thus securing the most important victory of his young career. Behind him, the sprint for the silver medal went to Patrik Pezzo Rosola (Nordest Petrucci Assali Stefen), who managed to edge out the generous and combative Aitor Martinez (Vangi) in the final dash.

VOICES - For Vic De Smet (Soudal Quick Step), a Belgian in his first year as a junior who will turn 17 on May 7th, this marks his fifth victory of the season. An excellent time trialist, capable of performing well on climbs as well, just 24 hours earlier he had finished second at the Coppa Montes in Monfalcone. At the San Vendemiano finish line, he was able to express all his joy: "I really enjoy racing in Italy: these days I'm feeling very good and I've achieved two extraordinary results. Today the team worked for me and in the final I gave everything at the last kilometer. It went well and I'm extremely happy about it. Now I'll focus on the National Time Trial Championships that will be held in Belgium on May 1st".

Great celebration for the entire Sanvendemiano Cycling Team staff, also applauded by Mayor Guido Dussin and his Deputy Renzo Zanchetta. Coordinating a beautiful day of sport was President Mattia Amadio: "Today Gino Mazzer from up there gave us a splendid sunny day and the riders interpreted our course beautifully, delivering a spectacle worthy of a great classic. At the end of another great edition of the Giro di Primavera, I want to thank the Municipal Administrations of San Vendemiano and Conegliano and our sponsors. Thanks also go to the law enforcement and volunteers who ensured the safety of the athletes and the smooth running of the race. For everyone, the appointment is already set for 2027 with the twentieth anniversary of the Giro di Primavera".

THE THREE JERSEYS AT STAKE - Three jerseys were up for grabs at the Giro di Primavera: the yellow jersey dedicated to the memory of Gino Mazzer and Paolo Sant was worn by winner Vic De Smet (Soudal Quick Step) while the other two, the green jersey valid for the 7th Memorial Christian Cigaia for the mountain points and the red jersey for the sprint classification, went to Tomaz Medeot Lover (Team Tiepolo).

FINAL RESULTS

1st Vic De Smet (Soudal Quick Step U19)
129.1 km in 3h06'11", average speed 41.604 km/h
2nd Patrik Pezzo Rosola (Nordest Petrucci Assali Stefen) at 6"
3rd Aitor Martinez (Team Van)
4th Elias Wandel (Jegg Skil Djr)
5th Connor Wright (WWV Hagens Berman)
6th Malthe Risbjerg (Jegg Skil Djr)
7th Nolan Pedersoli (Academy U19 Region Sud)
8th Maksymilian Matyasik (Soudal Quick Step) at 44"
9th Thomas Mariotto (Autozai Contri)
10th Christian Gamba (Trevigliese)