ZURICH (Switzerland) – Lorenzo Mark Finn’s last thousand meters were a heart-stopping experience. He takes it easy, the opponents are gone, shipwrecked under the rain and the pedal strokes of the silent and determined Ligurian. Hands go to the helmet, then he turns around and looks for the flagship where it is Dino Salvoldi, the coach who led the junior national team to the world title. Behind Finn the voidThe second, the Englishman Sebastian Grindley, arrives more than two minutes behind, the group competing for the last step of the podium is more than three minutes behind. He was the strongest Lorenzo Finn, he managed the race perfectly, demonstrating incredible maturity for those who are not used to seeing him in action.
One by one
The blue jersey, or rather the spring jacket given the cold and rain the boys have been experiencing today, stands out against the backdrop of the stage where the awards ceremony is taking place. The Italian national anthem plays, as soon as the last note stops vibrating in the air of Zurich the roar of the staff under the podium reaches all the way into the mixed zoneFinn has a faint smile on his youthful face; anyone who's seen him often knows he doesn't give in to great emotions. We, however, felt these emotions when we saw him leave all his opponents behind. The last one to resist him was the Spaniard Hector Alvarez, but an acceleration from Finn was enough to leave him behind.
He arrives in the mixed zone, slow pace, accompanied by Christian Schrot, his team manager at Grenke Auto Eder, and from all the blue staff. He arrives in front of us and that shirt shines, as does the medal hanging from his neck.
"I don't know how to describe the feeling of wearing this jersey," Finn says, "but maybe in a few hours I'll realize it. I have to say, I had a really good feeling all day."
Everything measured
Before leaving, on the Vittoria bus which is hosting the Azzurri in this world championship, Finn asked to change the tire pressure. 4,3 bar at the rear and 4 at the front, given the falling water and the slippery asphalt, it's best to take some precautions. He descends the steps last, looks around, goes to the bike and carefully mounts the cycle computer. Lots of targeted, precise and calm actionsBefore leaving, he spoke again with Salvoldi, exchanging a few final words. He then mounted his bike and headed for the starting point. The race explodes immediately, the Danes are possessed and set a frightening paceA crash decimated the group, and they reached the final circuit with an average speed of 46 kilometers per hour in the first hour.
Sprints and counter-sprints, lengthening, Philipsen is furious and moves in all directionsAt a certain point, however, Finn sets off all alone, but there are still many kilometers to go to the finish line.
«The initial plan – he explains – wasn't to go alone with 70 minutes to go but it happened. We were all in single file after the descent and I was in front, so it was a good time to attack, but yes, no one followed me. I thought an attack could hurt, they would certainly have had a hard time getting backEven once I was in front, I managed myself, never overrevving. Then Philipsen and the others came back. At that moment I realized that I could have fought for a medal.I counted the remaining ones, they were the ones I would have expected to find at that point. All except Seixas.
Half an hour alone
The last crossing of the finish line takes place 27 kilometres from the finish, with four riders in the lead: Philipsen, Alvarez, Grindley and our FinnA quick slalom through the curves of Zurich and the focus shifts to the Witikon climb. In the sloping section leading up to those 1.400 meters, Philipsen slips, leaving only two in front: Alvarez and Finn. The Spaniard resists for a few meters and then it becomes a long ride to the finish: 20 kilometers.
«Philipsen – explains the new junior world champion – fell on the downhill section. I was in front and he slipped on a curve., he probably pressed the front brake too hard. I hope he's okay. I looked Alvarez in the eye, I talked to him but I had already seen on previous climbs that he couldn't keep up with meI accelerated and it broke away immediately. Those 20 kilometers alone flew by and I had fun, despite the heavy rain."
A thousand meters, a thousand thoughts
When Lorenzo Finn saw the red triangle he got up again, He put his arms on the top of the handlebars and enjoyed every inchWhat goes through the mind of an 18-year-old boy when he realizes he's only a thousand meters away from the rainbow jersey?
«It was a bit of a surreal kilometer, I have to say – concludes Finn – but yes, I enjoyed it. I remembered all the sacrifices made during the season and the difficult moments. When I broke my collarbone in April, the second at the Giro della Lunigiana a few weeks ago... Now I'm ready for the future, I can't say what I'll do. There will be time to do it."
