Twelve Italian cyclists will start the Tour de France and our cycling movement is growing again and dreaming of playing a leading role, even though it won't be able to aim for the top step of the podium.

Italy will line up at the start of the 113th edition of the Tour de France, which will depart on Saturday from Barcelona, with twelve riders, a number that represents an encouraging signal for the Italian cycling movement. After difficult years, Italian cycling is indeed increasing its presence in the most important race in the world: in 2024 there were only eight Italians at the start, while in 2023 there were just seven.

These are not yet the numbers of the great golden years, but the trend is finally in the right direction. And even though there is no rider capable of fighting for the final podium in Paris, the Italians will have numerous opportunities to make their mark through breakaways, time trials, sprints, and mountain stages.

Edoardo Affini is the great sigh of relief for this yellow race. The most anticipated news in recent days concerned his participation in the Grande Boucle. After his crash at the Italian Championships, which had kept fans and insiders on edge, the European time trial champion will be regularly at the start of the Tour with Visma-Lease a Bike. For the Dutch team, he represents a fundamental piece. In the flat stages, he will be one of the men tasked with protecting Jonas Vingegaard from the wind, crashes, and inevitable echelons, bringing the Danish captain back to the front of the group during the most delicate moments of the race.

Then there is Davide Piganzoli, for whom the dream has become reality. His is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful stories of the Tour. In fact, the twenty-three-year-old from Morbegno will make his absolute debut at the Tour de France, fulfilling a dream he has cultivated since childhood. His recent victory at the Route d'Occitanie confirmed his growth, and now comes the most important test of his career. For Piganzoli, it will be above all a Tour to experience, learn, and discover, but the talented rider from Valtellina has already shown he can surprise even on the most prestigious stages.

Among the curiosities is that of Lorenzo Germani, the only Italian in the most French team of the entire Grande Boucle. In fact, the rider from Sora, in the province of Frosinone, will be the only non-French rider in the Groupama-FDJ United. The team will field a roster almost entirely composed of French riders, led by the newly crowned national champion Romain Grégoire, and Germani will represent the only Italian exception within a team deeply rooted in French tradition.

Then there are Tiberi and Caruso, who represent experience and the future in Bahrain Victorious. Antonio Tiberi will be called upon to confirm his talent in the mountain stages, while alongside him will be the veteran Damiano Caruso, one of the most respected riders in the peloton. For the Sicilian, it will be one of the last major appointments of his career, as at the end of the season he will hang up his bike to begin a new adventure in the team car as a sporting director.

As always, one of the main Italian hopes bears the name of Filippo Ganna. The champion of Netcompany INEOS will have in the time trial one of the most important opportunities to secure a stage victory. When the road becomes a race against the clock, the Piedmontese rider remains one of the absolute reference points in world cycling.

The XDS Astana Team will bring two Italian riders to the start: Simone Velasco and Davide Ballerini. Both will seek opportunities in the more eventful stages and in breakaways from afar, where experience and the ability to read the race can make the difference.

Marco Frigo as well, with the NSN Cycling Team, will have a free hand to attack. His characteristics make him one of the ideal candidates to enter the breakaways of the day and seek a victory that would bring prestige to the team.

With Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, Stefano Oldani will be present, another rider who will make generosity and initiative his main weapons.

Among the most valuable men in the hierarchy of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe will be Mattia Cattaneo. The Lombard will have a delicate task: to support Remco Evenepoel in the decisive phases of the race, especially in the most demanding stages and in moments when the Belgian champion will need his best men. A role often inconspicuous, but fundamental for the team's classification ambitions.

Completing the Italian contingent is Matteo Trentin, who will wear the jersey of Tudor Pro Cycling Team. With his enormous experience, he will represent a valuable guide for his younger teammates and will also be able to carve out some personal opportunities in the stages best suited to complete riders.

This is an Italy that returns to be seen, even if with some difficulty. Twelve Italians do not yet represent a return to the glories of the past, but they are an important signal. Italian cycling is slowly growing again, and the presence of young riders like Piganzoli and Germani, alongside established champions like Ganna, Affini, Trentin, and Caruso, tells of a movement that is rediscovering depth.

Italy does not start with a favorite for the Paris podium, but this does not mean it will be a supporting role. On the contrary, history teaches that Italian riders often manage to transform imagination, courage, and tenacity into memorable feats.

The breakaways, the time trials, the medium mountain stages, and the most unpredictable days represent ideal terrain for the Italians. And if the Tour de France is the race that rewards those who never stop attacking, Italy has all the credentials to carve out, once again, a leading role.