U23
Lorenzo Finn Wins the Giro Next Gen
The U23 world champion sealed the Maglia Rosa with a victory in the closing time trial. Teammate Davide Donati took the points classification as the Rookies claimed the teams classification.
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Lorenzo Finn has won the Giro Next Gen, defending the Maglia Rosa with a commanding ride in the final 22.2-kilometer individual time trial from Villa Sant'Angelo to L’Aquila. After a week shaped in the mountains, Finn left no doubt, stopping the clock in 29:03 to win the stage by 15 seconds over Irish national champion Adam Rafferty (Hagens Berman Jayco) and 32 seconds over Belgian national champion Matisse Van Kerckhove (Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development)
Lorenzo Finn on the podium with Mateo Ramírez and Henrique Bravo
© Twila Federica Muzzi
In the general classification, Finn, who had taken over the lead on day six with an impressive stage win at the mountain finish at Monte Livata, finished 2:10 ahead of Mateo Ramirez (Ecuador, UAE Team Emirates Gen Z) and 2:35 ahead of Henrique Bravo Ribeiro (Brazil, Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team). With his Giro U23 win, Finn brought the overall title back to Italy for the first time since Mattia Cattaneo’s win 15 years ago, and therefore also won the Maglia Tricolore for the best Italian rider.
Taking this Maglia Rosa home is a source of immense pride.
Lorenzo Finn: “It was a perfect day and we finished in style a race I had been targeting since the beginning of the season. Today I didn't want to take any risks, but at the same time it was a good test against the clock. It was great to win because we had an exceptional week as a team, and seeing my teammates rewarded as well makes me really happy. I knew that in the first few days the most important thing was to stay upright, especially after the injury I suffered at the Tour of the Alps. The last three stages suited me perfectly, and I showed that I had great legs in the mountains. Taking this Maglia Rosa home is a source of immense pride.”
The Red Bull -- BORA -- hansgrohe Rookies won the team classification
© Twila Federica Muzzi
Indeed, this year’s Giro Next Gen was also a strong team performance. Davide Donati won the Maglia Rossa as the race’s best points scorer — a jersey he kept all the way to L’Aquila, even after crashing on stage three. The 21-year-old had already given the team its first stage win of the race in Crotone on day two. In the end, the team finished the Giro Next Gen with three stage victories, the Maglia Rosa, the Maglia Tricolore and the teams classification. Gustave Blanc (France), Paul Fietzke and Max Bock (both Germany), as well as Gijs Schoonvelde (Netherlands), all played key roles in making that success possible.
Winning the Maglia Rossa was a personal goal, and achieving it the way we raced was outstanding.
Davide Donati: “I'm really happy with how the week went. Winning the Maglia Rossa was a personal goal, and achieving it the way we raced was outstanding. Three stage wins, the Maglia Rosa, the Maglia Rossa and the team classification — it was really a perfect week for the Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe Rookies.”
To come away from the Giro Next Gen with the Maglia Rosa, the Maglia Rossa, the Maglia Tricolore and the teams classification is more than we could have asked for.
Tim Meeusen, Director of Development: “To come away from the Giro Next Gen with the Maglia Rosa, the Maglia Rossa, the Maglia Tricolore and the teams classification is more than we could have asked for. Lorenzo and Davide were outstanding, but this was the work of all six riders and the whole staff. Days like this are why we built this team.”
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