Giro Next Gen, finally: 8 stages, 14.000 meters of altitude difference

RHO – The Stella Polare Congress Centre hosted the presentation of the third Giro Next Gen, the under 23 pink race organised by RCS Sport & EventsThe municipality of Rho and its Fair will be major protagonists of the first stages. It will start next June 15th with a time trial in the city center, while the second stage will start right in the heart of the Fiera. The stage race will then finish on June 22nd in Pinerolo after crossing much of Lombardy and Piedmont, even touching Emilia Romagna.

"The Fair has a recent history of supporting the world of sports and young people." Francesco Conci, CEO and General Manager of Fiera Milano, spoke and welcomed the guests. "In 2007, during EICMA, we also hosted the Six Days of Milan in Pavilion 7. The connection with sport and young people is important to us. and we want to cultivate it in view of the upcoming events that will also arrive".

Rose Hunt

The anticipation around this Giro Next Gen It was a lot, the days passed slowly and with information arriving in bits and pieces. Now, three weeks before the start, the start and finish locations have finally been revealed, along with the route.Just over a thousand kilometers and a whopping 14.000 meters of altitude difference. The vertical meters of this edition will be two thousand more than the previous one which had already rewarded lightweight athletes. 

Last year's winner, the Belgian Jarno Widar, will still be ready to fight to maintain the lead he achieved a year ago in Forlimpopoli. There will be many contenders for the final victory, in a battle that will start from Rho and end in Pinerolo after eight stages that will leave no respite and promise a spectacle. The aggressive spirit of future champions, for whom words and thoughts have been spent, will pass in the next few weeks, and then it's time to clear up any doubts and present the path. 

Cima Coppi, the Maniva

The race will start with an eight-kilometer prologue inside the city of Rho. For those aiming for the final victory, it will be important to keep their attention high. and try to push as hard as possible to exploit even the smallest advantage. The real action will begin on the second day, with the start inside Fiera Milano and the finish in Cantù. A not excessive difference in altitude but concentrated entirely in the final circuit, to be repeated twice, which will wind between Como and the City of TrackThe third stage will remain in the province of Como as far as the start is concerned, which will take place in Albese con Cassano. The group will then head towards the province of Brescia where the arrival is located, at Passo Maniva, Cima Coppi of the Giro Next Gen with its 1659 meters of altitude.

«Climbers will immediately find something to suit them – Mario Scirea, deputy city manager, tells us Marino Amadori with the under 23 national team – In a challenging race it will be important to understand the forces on the fieldAnyone looking to "take their rivals' temperature" will find the perfect platform for ambushes. I think it could become difficult to hold onto the jersey from start to finish, especially given the decision to limit the number of riders per team to five.

Sprint and courage

The turning point of this Giro Next Gen The fourth stage will take place in Salsomaggiore Terme, opening the doors to sprinters, who will have to be good at keeping up with those who try to break away by taking the ramps of the Parma Apennines as if they were a springboard. 

The sprinters will also be protagonists in the following stages where the under 23 pink race will touch the municipalities of Gavi and Acqui Terme, entering Piedmont on the fifth stage. A few pitfalls, but far from the finish, will allow for a regrouping and a sprint-ready start.

«These three stages – continues Scirea – are the only opportunities for sprinters to achieve some results. These will not be easy paths, if you want to enter the world of professionals you have to forget about the so-called "easy stages". In my opinion the three central sections are also open to breakaways, in fact with five riders per team it will not be easy to keep the race closed».

At the last breath

Il Giro Next Gen, having entered Piedmont, is preparing to bring the final act to life with two acts dedicated to climbers. The queen stage is the seventh, from Bra to Prato NevosoIn 163 kilometers, there is a 4.100 meter difference in altitude. There will be three GPMs today but the road will often look upwards.

"A truly demanding stage," says Scirea, "but not impossible. A few rouleur-climbers will try to keep the gaps low and then go all-in on the final day. It promises to be a one-on-one day, and both legs and mind will count. The climb to Prato Nevoso is beautiful but not excessively difficult, every attack will have to be carefully considered because there is a risk of paying a heavy price."

Last act in Pinerolo and no final catwalk for the young protagonists of the Giro Next Gen. There will be no shortage of shocks in the final standings, with the final fifteen kilometers of the Under 23 pink race capable of providing thrills and inspiration to the bravest.

«What can I say – he concludes – there will be no time to relax until the end, even the last two kilometers offer an interesting idea With the final sprint into Pinerolo still offering some promise, I think it's a demanding final stage, suited to powerful riders with good legs, even on short climbs. A shot at the right time can change everything.».