The winner of the Giro Next Gen is usually destined for a top-level professional career. The roads of the Baby Giro rarely lie, not least because it is one of the few U23 races in the world where virtually every major prospect lines up to battle for victory.
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The GC Contenders
When talking about a bright future, the first name that comes to mind is Lorenzo Mark Finn (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe Rookies), perhaps the most exciting Italian talent to emerge in the last two decades. The Ligurian rider is already the reigning world champion in the category, but he is still looking for his first overall victory in a stage race since joining the U23 ranks. This week’s route offers him the perfect opportunity to break that duck, although the competition will be fierce.
Among his toughest rivals is Matisse Van Kerckhove (Visma | Lease a Bike Development), who has strung together overall victories at the Istrian Spring Tour, Flèche du Sud and Alpes Isère Tour. Another serious challenger is Brazilian rider Henrique Bravo (Soudal Quick-Step Devo), winner of the Oberösterreich Rundfahrt and the Tour of Antalya, as well as a stage at the Tour du Rwanda.
Both are excellent climbers, as are Matteo Vanhuffel (Development Picnic PostNL), third overall at the Alpes Isère Tour, and Niels Driesen (Lotto-Groupe Wanty), who claimed overall victory at La Ronde de l’Isard. Irishman Liam O’Brien and Australian Jack Ward (Lidl-Trek Future Racing) have also consistently impressed in the U23 ranks over the last couple of seasons and should be among the riders to watch.
Finnish prospect Kasper Borremans and Polish rider Jan Michal Jackowiak (Bahrain Victorious Development), winner of the Trofeo San Vendemiano, will also fancy their chances, as will Rémi Arsac and Aubin Sparfel (Decathlon CMA CGM Development), with the latter returning after winning the points classification last year.
Adam Rafferty (Hagens Berman Jayco), winner of last year’s stage to Gavi, deserves a mention, as does Kamiel Eeman (Lotto-Groupe Wanty), fresh from victory at the Coppa della Pace. Jurgen Zoomermand (Development Picnic PostNL), Rémi Daumas (Groupama-FDJ United CT) and Viktor Soenens (Soudal Quick-Step Devo) complete an impressive list of contenders.
Also worth keeping an eye on from a GC perspective are Matteo Scalco (XDS Astana Development), making his fourth appearance in the race, and Alessandro Cattani (Technipes #inEmiliaRomagna Caffè Borbone), both riders better suited to the mountains than to explosive terrain.
