From rising star to champion? Giulio Pellizzari’s big leap to Red Bull-BORA

Giulio Pellizzari, one of Italy's top cycling talents, is on the verge of a major milestone in his career. After three seasons with VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè, the 21-year-old rider is making the leap to the WorldTour, specifically to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. Here, the young Italian will have the opportunity to broaden his horizons and learn from champions like Primož Roglič. During a training camp in Palma de Mallorca, he spoke candidly about his expectations and goals for the upcoming season.

For Giulio Pellizzari, 2024 was a pivotal year. It marked not only his debut in the Giro d’Italia but also an impressive second place in the mountain classification and a near stage victory. Add to that his strong performances in the Tour of the Alps and the Tour of Slovenia, and it’s no surprise that he caught the attention of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. The German team saw in him the potential to become Italy's next big champion. They demonstrated their confidence in him with a three-year contract, giving Pellizzari the space to further develop.

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Pellizzari gets a present from Pogacar

Soft landing for Pellizzari thanks to Italian core

The jump to the WorldTour is a big step, but Pellizzari feels ready for it. “At Red Bull, the approach is different—everything is more organized, everything is 100% structured. It’s a big step. This is my first training camp, and we’ll see how it goes during the races,” he told Eurosport.

At the German team, he finds a small group of Italians—Giovanni Aleotti, Matteo Sobrero, and Gianni Moscon—which helps make the transition smoother. “That’s definitely very important. It’s not just riders, but also many staff members. There are a lot of us, and they’re helping me. I’m the youngest, so they also provide me with a sort of protective wings,” Pellizzari explained.

Pellizzari tackles a promising schedule to test his strength

Pellizzari’s first season at Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe promises to be challenging, with a packed schedule at the highest level. “I already know my program. I’ll start with three races in Mallorca, then head to the UAE Tour. After that, there’s a high-altitude training camp, followed by a nice block of races including the Tour of Catalonia, the Tour of the Basque Country, and the Tour de Romandie. I’m a reserve for the Giro d’Italia, so I probably won’t start there. Afterward, I’ll race the Tour de Suisse, the Vuelta a Burgos, and the Vuelta a España, followed by the Italian autumn classics. I’d also love to return to the Tour of Lombardy after my debut in 2024, but that’s still far off. We’ll see.”

It’s a full schedule for the young Italian, featuring many high-profile races. As such, 2025 will be a significant step up in terms of competition. Pellizzari believes the year will mainly focus on learning and supporting, especially in a team with several leaders. “I’ll often ride in support roles, like at Catalunya, where Roglič will be the team leader. It will be important to see how the team operates." At the same time, he hopes for some personal opportunities. “In some races, I might get the chance to play my own cards, but it’s still my first year. I need to find out where I stand at this level.”

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Pellizzari in the Giro d'Italia mountain jersey

Mentor Roglič and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe aim to make Pellizzari a winner

Roglič plays a significant role in Pellizzari’s development. “It’s special to have people like Roglič, Hindley, Vlasov, and Martinez on the team. They’ve won Grand Tours and can teach me a lot. During a training session, Roglič asked me how old I was. When I told him I was 21, he said that at my age, he was still ski jumping. That really puts things into perspective.”

Pellizzari cherishes his years with Bardiani, a team that laid a solid foundation for his career. “It was the perfect path. At Bardiani, they shaped me as an athlete and as a person. Above all, they taught me how to become a good rider. Now, I hope that Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe will teach me how to become a winner,” the climber concluded.