On Tuesday, the cycling community buzzed with speculation over the future of Italian climbing sensation Giulio Pellizzari. The 19-year-old, heralded as a rising star, is reportedly attracting the gaze of multiple top-tier WorldTeams, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Pellizzari, who is currently under contract with the Green Project-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè team, is expected to remain with the Italian outfit through 2024. Nevertheless, the battle for his signature is heating up behind the scenes, as several WorldTeams jostle to secure his talents for the 2025 season.
It’s understood that the Movistar Team is leading the chase to acquire Pellizzari’s services, positioning themselves ahead of rivals such as BORA-Hansgrohe and Intermarché-Circus-Wanty. However, these teams are not yielding easily, setting the stage for a competitive tug-of-war over the young Italian climber.
Breakthrough Year
2023 has been a pivotal year for Pellizzari, who etched his name into the consciousness of professional cycling teams with a series of impressive performances. His talents shone brightly within the U23 category, where he claimed victory at the Giro del Medio Brenta and secured a laudable second place in the prestigious Tour de l’Avenir, a race often likened to a junior Tour de France. There, he was bested only by Isaac del Toro, who has since been snapped up by the UAE Emirates team.
Yet, Pellizzari’s prowess wasn’t confined to youth competitions. He made a significant impact in elite races too, particularly catching the eye during the Tour of the Alps. In this rigorous climbing event, Pellizzari battled valiantly for a stage win on the fourth day to Predazzo, ultimately crossing the line in third place. His commendable form continued throughout the year, evidenced by a twelfth-place finish at the Sibiu Cycling Tour and a strong sixth-place showing at the Tour of Turkey as the season drew to a close.
