Giulio Pellizzari emerges as Italy’s new hope under Roglic’s guidance

Speaking to TV Slovenija he opened up about how Slovenia’s two biggest cycling stars played their part in his rise. Pellizzari has always been open about his admiration for Tadej Pogačar. The day Pogačar caught him in 2024 on Monte Pana then handed him the sunglasses he had been wearing still stands out for him. “I think this was one of the best days of my life.” 

His affection for Pogačar is sincere and unforced. “Pogačar is popular all over the world but the Italians really love him. I myself really love him too.”

In 2025 Pellizzari announced himself fully. After joining Red Bull - Bora - Hansgrohe he came under the guidance of Primož Roglič and quickly found more than just a leader to follow. “Yes I think Primož and I became good friends. I enjoyed racing with him.”

That bond deepened when he helped Roglič win in Catalonia and then spent the opening week of the Giro riding fully in his service. When Roglič was forced to abandon Pellizzari switched to his own race and climbed steadily through the standings finishing sixth overall. 

“I learned so much from him and I was so happy to ride next to him. I hope we keep racing together next year. Maybe even two or three years depending on what Primož wants.”

Roglič is clearly the compass he follows. Pellizzari knows how rare it is to learn from someone of that calibre. “He has ninety one career wins. When I got my first victory at the Vuelta I realised he had raised his arms ninety times already. Crazy.”

His own breakthrough moment came this year at the Vuelta a España on the Alto de El Morederu where he secured his first professional win. Eventually he finished sixth at the Vuelta just as he had done at the Giro. 

For 2026 he does not know his exact race programme yet but he has already made his preferences clear to the team. “I asked the team if I could go to the Giro but we will see when they present the programme in December.” 

The question of where he will be placed comes just as the team welcomes Remco Evenepoel, yet Pellizzari sees that shift as an opening rather than a threat. “I think it is really good for the team. Now we have two of the four best riders in the world. It is a good chance for a young rider like me.”

Italian expectations are as fierce as ever. The country has not won a Grand Tour since 2016 when Vincenzo Nibali claimed the Giro d'Italia. Before him the line of champions ran through Alfredo Binda Fausto Coppi Felice Gimondi Francesco Moser and Marco Pantani, figures who shaped entire generations. Since 2016 the tifosi have been waiting for another rider who can give them moments to celebrate.

Pellizzari feels that weight, yet stays gentle in his judgement. “I know the fans are waiting. I hope they will not wait much longer.” He understands the other side too. “In my opinion the problem is a bit in us Italians. When you have a good rider everyone follows him. But when he has his first bad day, everyone says he is not like Pantani or not like he used to be.”