Stage 6 of the Giro Next Gen 2025 brought Italian fans back in time – exactly two years, to be precise. That’s when Alessandro Romele sprinted to victory in Povegliano, ahead of Davide De Pretto and Sergio Meris, delivering what had remained the last Italian win in a race designed to forge the champions of tomorrow.
The drought is over. On the finish line in Acqui Terme, history repeated itself with another all-Italian 1-2-3. No half-measures – just like before. The one to break the dry spell was Filippo Agostinacchio, who slipped into a 16-man breakaway that formed after yet another chaotic opening hour, raced at a blistering 52.6 km/h. Then, with 10 km to go and after tackling the climbs of Cassinasco and Sant’Ambrogio – the day’s only real obstacles – he launched the winning move. The rider from Aosta, in tears at the finish, crossed the line 24 seconds ahead of the chasers, with Alessandro Borgo (Bahrain Victorious) edging out Pietro Mattio (Visma | Lease a Bike) for second. Italy, once again, swept the podium.
Agostinacchio is no stranger to the spotlight in cyclocross – he’s the reigning U23 European silver medallist and a former national champion. But on the road, he’d never taken a win – neither as a junior nor in the U23 ranks. “Two days ago, I was close to pulling out. I was suffering badly in the heat, but yesterday I gritted my teeth and managed to make it back to the breakaway, finishing 16th. My legs felt good, and I knew there wouldn’t be many chances left. So I went for it. I didn’t plan the attack – it just felt like the right moment. I tried to make the difference on the climbs, but guys like Lorenzo Nespoli were stronger than me. So I gave it everything on the descent. This is my first-ever win on the road… the last 10 kilometers were incredibly emotional”.
He also took a moment to introduce his younger brother, Mattia, born in 2007 and in his second year as a junior. A rising star in cyclocross, Mattia placed second overall in the World Cup and won the European title. “Unlike me, he’s a born winner – both in cross and on the road. There’s a good chance he’ll be lining up at the Giro Next Gen next year”.
Among the GC contenders, it was a relatively quiet day, despite a couple of accelerations from Albert Withen Philipsen (Lidl-Trek) that didn’t yield any major moves. But the calm won’t last. Tomorrow brings the much-anticipated queen stage to Prato Nevoso – a must-hit target for anyone dreaming of the Maglia Rosa.
