LANDS OF MOONS – The third round of the challenge that accompanied us throughout the Giro della Lunigiana was won by Lorenzo FinnThe first stage victory after two participations for the Ligurian who tried to win the Race of Future Champions in both editions (in the opening photo Duz Image / Michele Bertoloni). However, he always found himself faced with a French rider. In 2023 he had been Leo Bisiaux to take away his victory, while this year he thought about it Paul Seixas to ruin his plansThe Ligurian of the Grenke Auto Eder He attacked both yesterday and today, but failed to undermine Seixas' leadership.
«Last year – Finn analyses – I wasn't able to win a stage, this year I did and this certainly makes me happy. Confirming the podium and winning a stage are an excellent result. Of course, winning the overall would have been better, but I repeat that I have no regrets."
The difference in the details
On the climb Finn and Seixas rode together for all three days of racing, One close to the other, inseparable. Only Bolano's wall created a small gap, two seconds in favor of the Frenchman. For the rest, the difference was made by the discounts.Seixas accumulated 20 seconds at the various finish lines, Finn 16.
«I made two attacks on the last two passages of Montemarcello – he explains – at full speed. I have no regrets because I definitely tried.. It was impossible to do better, I pushed with all the energy I had in my body. We were on the same level."
«Fighting against Finn was very difficult – echoes Seixas – he is very good on climbs, maybe I'm slightly stronger on the steeper onesIn fact, the difference in winning this Lunigiana was made on very steep ramps like in Bolano. But one day it's like this and the next the opposite can happen.. Overall I think we are on the same level."
Another Frenchman
Paul Seixas succeeds Leo Bisiaux and Lenny Martinez for the third French victory in the last five editions of the Tour of Lunigiana.
«It's a great feeling – he says – inherit the green jersey from Leo Bisiaux and Lenny MartinezSeeing a former teammate of mine win this race really motivated me to try it myself. The route was a little different in 2023, perhaps less tough."
Paul Seixas and Leo Bisiaux shared the AG2R Citroen U19 jersey last year, but not only that. Both are, in fact, involved in cyclocross. When asked if he will follow in the footsteps of his old teammate, he replies: "I don't know yet what I will do in the future, I will definitely run less cross country since I will be under 23I want to focus as much as possible on the road because the commitment will be greater. I haven't decided yet whether I will continue with Decathlon AG2R or not., it will be something we'll see after the World Cup. It's a difficult situation that I can't talk about now."
Towards the World Cup
We will soon see all the protagonists of this Giro della Lunigiana on the streets of Zurich, ready to battle it out and win the rainbow jersey. A series of contenders for the world title that just browsing through them gives you a headache. Looking at them closely, however, it seems that the story is a chapter of two: Finn and Seixas.
«This great victory – says the Frenchman – is proof that the condition is really good. I felt better and better day after dayI'm really happy to have won here, it's very good for my form and for having the right confidence in my abilities. Finn and I will probably fight for the world title too, but there are really so many contenders for the rainbow jersey. This year I won all the one-day races I took part in (including the Liège-Bastogne-Liège juniors, ed.). The World Championship is a race so different from the others, but I hope to arrive in the right condition to aim for the podium."
It's getting closer for Finn too the world championship appointment, in which he will be called to fight both in the time trial and on the road.
«First, however – he concludes – I will stay at home for a day and then leave for Belgium since I will be racing both on the road and in the time trial at the European Championships tooOnce the continental commitment is over, it will be the turn of the world championship and I will focus everything on that since it is much more suited to my characteristics."
