At the Giro d'Italia there is a young Italian who is attracting increasing attention: this is Giulio Pellizzari, the twenty-two-year-old born in San Severino Marche, who this year triumphed at the Tour of the Alpes. The Marche-based rider represents one of the most concrete hopes for Italian cycling in a race dominated by major international names. It is no coincidence that he races for Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe, one of the strongest and most organized formations in the World Tour, capable of fielding climbers and champions of absolute caliber.

After the first two stages, Pellizzari has already shown important personality and strong legs. At the end of the second stage he shared his feelings: «I felt good, a very long stage, a bit boring, but anyway, my legs are good, I'm happy with how I defended myself and we're confident for the next three weeks».

Simple words, but ones that convey confidence and serenity. The young Italian knows that the Giro is still long, but the feeling is that he could become one of the most interesting riders in the race, especially on the big mountains.

Naturally the number one favorite remains Jonas Vingegaard. The Dane is one of the strongest riders of the moment, accustomed to dominating stage races thanks to impressive athletic condition and a team that leaves nothing to chance. Thinking that he could lose the Giro d'Italia seems very difficult today. Yet Pellizzari could be one of the few Italians capable of at least trying to worry him, especially if he continues to grow stage after stage.

At the end of yesterday's stage, speaking precisely about the Danish champion, Pellizzari had shared a curious interpretation: «Regarding Vingegaard I can only say that I was also impressed, but he seemed surprised».

And then he added with a smile: «Let's say he's going strong and I'm happy to have stayed on his wheel».

Words that well describe the relationship between an emerging young talent and one of the dominators of world cycling. Pellizzari knows he still has much to learn, but at the same time he demonstrates that he is not afraid to compete with the greatest, aware that he has truly grown a lot.
For Italian cycling, this alone is an important signal. And the Giro could be the perfect stage to definitively consecrate one of the best Italian riders of the new generation.