Tour of the Alps: Giulio Pellizzari soloes to queen stage triumph to seal first career GC title

Giulio Pellizzari secured a commanding victory on the final stage of the Tour of the Alps, clinching his first career general classification (GC) title in emphatic fashion. The 22-year-old Italian, riding for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, launched a decisive solo attack near the summit of the Montoppio climb, maintaining his lead over the 21km descent to finish in Bolzano. Pellizzari, who had worn the green leader’s jersey since his stage 2 win, successfully held off strong challenges from Ineos Grenadiers’ Thymen Arensman and Egan Bernal, who finished second and third overall respectively. The final stage, though relatively short at 128.6km, featured two steep ascents of the category-1 Montoppio climb, making for an explosive finale. Ineos initially controlled the peloton on the first ascent, but Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe took command on the second, setting a fierce pace that fragmented the group. Pellizzari’s teammate Giovanni Aleotti played a crucial role in setting up the winning move by accelerating on the climb, allowing Pellizzari to break clear with around 5km remaining. The Italian extended his advantage on the descent, ultimately finishing 40 seconds ahead of Bernal, who edged Arensman for second place on GC thanks to bonus seconds collected near the summit and finish line. Pellizzari was quick to credit his team for the victory, emphasising the collective effort behind his breakthrough success. He described the final climb as physically demanding and the conditions as hot but insisted his attack was motivated by a desire to reward the hard work of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe throughout the week. “It’s crazy to be here,” Pellizzari remarked, highlighting the team’s dominance and downplaying his individual achievement in favour of collective triumph. The stage itself was marked by an early breakaway featuring notable riders such as Tom Pidcock and Lennart Jasch, who sought to gain points and maintain visibility ahead of upcoming races. However, their advantage was gradually eroded on the climbs, with the peloton reeling them in before Pellizzari’s decisive move. The dynamic racing and tactical shifts between the teams underscored the intensity of the competition and set the stage for Pellizzari’s maiden GC win, signalling the emergence of a promising talent in the electric atmosphere of the Tour of the Alps. Looking ahead, Pellizzari’s victory at this prestigious race positions him as a rising star in the professional cycling scene, particularly in mountainous terrain. His ability to deliver under pressure and the strength of his team support suggest he will be a rider to watch in upcoming stage races and Grand Tours. Meanwhile, Ineos Grenadiers will reflect on their near-misses and look to regroup as they continue to challenge for victories in the season’s major events.