An unfortunate end to the season for Tadej Pogacar: the crash at the Vuelta not only cost him the overall victory but also his participation in the Montreal World Championships and the Giro di Lombardia, races in which he would have been the clear favorite. An incident that caught the attention of Amore e Vita team owner Ivano Fanini, a keen observer of international cycling who has played an important role in its globalization.

"Pogacar's absence from the Montreal Worlds - says Fanini - coincides with Lorenzo Finn's debut in the professional race, the only one who could have troubled him even at just nineteen years old".

After winning two world titles among amateurs, Lorenzo Finn has also secured the Giro Next Gen and the Tour de l'Avenir this season, confirming himself as more than just a promise for Italian cycling. And Fanini is absolutely enthusiastic about the nineteen-year-old Ligurian talent...

"Compared to the past, today's talents reach their power peaks at a younger age, just look at Frenchman Paul Seixas who was among the great protagonists at the Tour, which he competed in for the first time at just 19 years old. I would say that 23 years is the age to reach maximum capacity to maintain high wattage after many hours of racing. It's been since the days of Fausto Coppi that we haven't seen an Italian cyclist this strong. A rider like this is born every 80 years. On climbs he doesn't sway his upper body and doesn't waste energy: by enduring the fatigue he doesn't get carried away, as often happens to many, and never starts too hard. The Montreal course also suits him well with its highly selective terrain because he can attack and resist anyone's comeback. After the first 112 flat kilometers from the Brossard start, he can be a protagonist as soon as he enters the city circuit on Mont Royal in the 12 laps that present a total elevation gain of 3,720 meters".

THE DECISIVE CLIMBS

Indeed, in the second part of the Worlds there will be 12 laps of 13.4 km with the first climb of Voie Camillien-Horde of about 2 km with an average gradient of 6.2% and maximum peaks of 11%. Subsequently there's the Polytechnique to climb, a short but severe section with stretches exceeding 11%. Facing a significant time advantage, recovery becomes difficult because before the finish there will be a false flat in constant ascent.

"On these climbs - Fanini continues - Finn will find an ideal course for his characteristics. His fluid pedaling without wasting energy and compact body position even on the steepest gradients, combined with his ability to manage his energy until the finish line, will make the difference against all the main contenders because no one, despite I repeat his young age, will be able to resist him. A cyclist's development requires time and planning but Finn is an exception because no Italian in history, after Fausto Coppi, has shown this naturalness on a bike and this superiority on climbs".

Fanini, not forgetting opponents like Evenepoel, Van Aert, Seixas... just to name a few...

"All extremely strong riders, but I'm convinced that Finn has the cards in order to have a Worlds as a protagonist and to make us dream".

So what advice would he give to his friend Roberto Amadio?

"With all his experience I don't think he needs much advice. But if I really must give my opinion, I would put everything on Finn. I would concentrate energy, race control and supplies on him, who must then finalize his teammates' work. It's important that the entire team works to close down breakaways and wait for the moment when Finn can make the difference".