Next Sunday, June 14th, Lorenzo Finn will be at the start of the Giro Next Gen band of the U23 rainbow jerseyThe boy who is becoming a man through confirmations has had a complex approach due to the fall to Tour of the Alps: after proving to be one of the brightest on the climb next to Pellizzari, the Ligurian fell bringing back wrist fracture.
It was April 21st. Finn had finished the Val Martello stage in sixth place (behind Pellizzari, Arensman, Gaffuri, Bernal, and Vlasov) and occupied the same position in the standings. The long break affected his preparation for the Giro Next Gen or will it allow him to arrive there fresher and still stronger than the 19-day race in 2026?
Finn explained it in an online press conference from Andorra, organised by Red Bull U23 on the same day that the Giro d'Italia faced the Pieve di Soligo and Wall of Ca' del Poggio.
How did the following weeks go and how are you now?
It actually went quite well. The team and I managed the situation quickly: surgery immediately after, then a week at the APC, Red Bull's athletic training center, for rehabilitation, then a period at home and then I went up to altitudeIt wasn't ideal, but it went pretty well.
How important was your performance at Tour of the Alps, the day before the fall?
Il Tour of the Alps It was a confirmation. It's one thing to see what you're capable of in training, and another thing replicate in competition the very similar numbers we do in training and it is difficultI knew I could do it, so it was a nice confirmation.
Was it difficult to go from this enthusiasm to having to stop because of the fall?
It's that moment when you go from fighting for victory, from being there with the best, to falling and breaking your wrist. But let's say, if it had to happen, it happened at the right time, because after the Tour of the Alps I would have had a period of rest and then I started working for the Giro. So psychologically it was difficult, because I could have had a good race, but in the end it wasn't an insurmountable obstacle.
How's your wrist now?
Exactly as before. After a month it was almost completely fine, but Thanks to the operation I recovered very quicklyI had the same injury three years ago and they put me in a cast: the recovery took much longer. With the operation it was very shortI have no problems on my bike, just like before. In everyday life, I may have had to be a little more careful, but on my bike, everything is fine.
And how are your legs?
At high altitude, great work is always done and everything is focused on the Giro. The results are seen when you return home, so At the moment it's more of a training and fatigue management processIf all goes well, I should be fully fit for the start of the Giro, but we'll see. Every year I think I've made a step forward and this year I feel like my form is improving.I haven't competed in a while, but from training everything seems to be going well.
In the first part of the season you won one-day races and took part in several stage races: was that good planning?
It was definitely a good idea, because every stage race is a brick in the wallI knew my goal was the Giro d'Italia, so I didn't start the year off great, but it wasn't necessary. I felt like I was improving as the weeks went by and al Tour of the Alps I was in great shapeIn the races I did, I didn't have too much attention on me. Al Giro Next Gen I might be one of the favorites, so it will be a little more complicatedBut that's part of racing, and with a strong team it's easier to manage.
Do you think this, and wearing the rainbow jersey, will force you to race differently?
It will definitely be different and Running a race like this wearing the world champion's jersey is a wonderful experience. which doesn't happen often. But my way of running doesn't change. There will be more eyes on me, but having six riders instead of five it's essential: we'll have one more man who can help meSo, I'll try to give it my all. There will certainly be opponents who will race against us, like in Liège, but we're a very strong and balanced team, so I'm confident.
What is your relationship with pressure?
For me it's pretty easy. On paper, I'm not a professional yet, so it's about enjoying the moment and building the engine for the next few yearsI hope to have a long career, so this is just the beginning.
The Giro route has two mountain stages and a time trial in the last three days: what do you think?
We have analyzed it carefully and the arrangement of the stages it's a little different from last year: with three days for sprints, while last year there were breakaways almost every day. This year there will be required stages for sprinters and mountain stagesThe last three will be decisive for the general classification, with the final time trial, which will be crucial. It will also be interesting see who will handle the fatigue better at the end of the race.
Last year, right at the end of the Giro, you were in a bit of difficulty.
I fell on the third stage, on Maniva, and that didn't help. I didn't hurt myself too much, but a fall prevents you from recovering and sleeping well. Instead at the Tour of the Future, where everything went well, in the final stages I felt strong. So no, I'm not worried about that. The preparation is going well with the right work also on the time trial, we'll see how it goes.
And then will we think about the Tour de l'Avenir and the World Championships?
Yup, I have a good programI'll do the Giro, then the Italian championships and another stage race. Then a bit of rest and, like last year, the Tour de l'Avenir and the World Championships.
And then it will be time to move on to the professionals: how do you see Lorenzo Finn's life right now?
I was happy with having finished school last year on the right footIt was important to me and my family. One day, I'd like to go to college, but for now I'm focusing more on cycling. Next year I'm also going to live away from home, so that's another step to consider: changing your environment a bit. It's a normal part of life. And one day, I'd like to have a family. Ma I'm still 19 years old and I enjoy the life we have as cyclists. And it is a great privilege.
