U23
Back in the rainbow colours: Lorenzo Finn crowns himself World Champion
One year after his world title in the juniors, Lorenzo Finn triumphs again at the World Championships—this time taking the road race title in the U23 category.
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Lorenzo Finn has done it again. Exactly one year after winning the junior road race title, the 18-year-old Italian from the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe Rookies also secured the world title in the U23 road race—with a performance that was as clever as it was dominant.
My ears were ringing during the last 500 metres - I was cheered on so loudly. The people here in Kigali are simply amazing.
Finn attacked around seven kilometres before the finish on the selective, 164.6-kilometre Kigali circuit and left his last remaining companion, Swiss rider Jan Huber, behind with an explosive attack on the Côte de Kigali. In the end, he crossed the finish line 31 seconds ahead as a soloist—and then donned the rainbow jersey for the second time in his career.
Finn stepped up the pace several times and eventually pulled away.
© Getty Sport
“Honestly, it feels just as unreal as last year. The cheering was tremendous. My ears were ringing on the last 500 metres—I was cheered on so loudly. The people here in Kigali are simply amazing. It was an unforgettable week, and with this result, it really is a moment for life. This World Championships will stay in my heart forever,” said the new U23 World Champion after his greatest success.
Finn established himself early on as the decisive rider of the race, in the second half, he was involved several times in pushing the pace—before he and second-placed Huber were able to pull away decisively. “In the second half of the race it was crazy—attacks without end. The altitude and the heat made it really difficult, but my legs were good. And my team and supporters gave me perfect support. As I said—an unreal experience,” Finn continued.
Lorenzo Finn at the award ceremony in Kigali.
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John Wakefield, Director of Development at Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, described the victory as a "historic moment", as he explained after the race: “With this victory, Lorenzo becomes the second rider to win back-to-back world titles in the Junior and U23 categories while being the youngest ever U23 world champion (18y 9m 7d) which is underlining his talent and capacity to perform when it matters most.”
This double victory puts Lorenzo among the greats: He is only the second rider to win the Junior and U23 World Championship titles back-to-back - and the youngest U23 World Champion ever.
He continued: “Lorenzo's dominant display in Rwanda reflected not only power and precision, but also the composure and maturity that have defined his development within our development structure. This milestone is a proud moment for Lorenzo and for not only Red Bull - BORA - hangrohe but also for the Red Bull - BORA - hangrohe Rookies Project.”
The new world champion together with the Italian team.
© Getty Sport
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