MONTEGROTTO – Lorenzo Conforti hides his eyes behind large lenses that conceal his emotions. It's a shame his expressions are so strong they almost break through. He is the best Italian, in terms of placings obtained, in this Giro Next Gen. The rider of Vf Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè he came close to victory on a couple of occasions: in Saint-Vincent and Cremona.
"Yesterday I just had to save my legs," he says, "so I just went at my own pace to get to the finish line. It was a really tough stage, run quickly but well away from the danger of finishing outside the time limit».
Many placings
Conforti played his cards on every occasion, very few to tell the truth. In the seven stages run so far, the space for the sprinters has been quite limitedThree sprints, all different from each other, but equally challenging.
«I'm certainly surprised to be so competitive – he confesses – even in flat stages like the one in Cremona, where I finished third. I have always considered myself a rider for undulating routes, short climbs or steep sections.I'm in good shape, but I wasn't able to perform well in the sprints in Borgomanero and Cremona. In the first of the two, I was delayed by crashes; I started well behind, but I still finished sixth. In Cremona, however, luck smiled on me more.Even then I remained a bit in the belly of the group, but the straight was long so I managed to catch up. Third place is a good result."
Atypical sprinter
Looking closely at Lorenzo Conforti, you wouldn't say he's a sprinter, with a lean physique and toned but not overly muscular legs. The other sprinters definitely have more structured builds.
“They all have different physiques,” he reasons with us. “I’m 80 meters tall and weigh 65 kilograms. Not exactly the numbers of a sprinter, but I have peak power.The others have more watts than me in the short distance, but I have a longer, more consistent sprint. Coming from behind, I can still give myself a chance."
The seal is missing
The young Italian is in his second year in the ranks of Reverberi's team, his growth has been linear, at times even surprising.
«To be honest – says Conforti – I didn't expect to be at this level in my second year as an under-23. The goal was to make a splash next year. But the team believed in me and has given me plenty of opportunities since last season, including racing among the pros. You learn to move in a group and read race situations. The victory is missing, the only flaw in these two yearsIn 2024 I achieved three second places, one of which here at Giro Next Gen. For us sprinters there are many details to take care of, moments to capture, I'd say maybe I'm lacking a bit of luck. Tomorrow is a great opportunity, the route suits my characteristics, I've put the red circle on it."
