'This is the new reality' - Lorenzo Finn embraces star-studded environment at Red Bull

With the arrival of Remco Evenepoel and the presence of star riders including Primož Roglič and Florian Lipowitz, with the latter recently signing a new contract extension, it’s easy for the under-23 World Champion Lorenzo Finn’s own renewed deal with the German team to go under the radar.

Despite his own star-studded potential, Finn highlighted the abundance of quality elsewhere within Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe’s ranks heading into 2026.

“We're preparing for next year. On one side is [Primož] Roglič, on the other is Remco [Evenepoel]. You look straight ahead, find [Florian] Lipowitz, and then go have coffee with [Daniel] Martínez,” said Finn in an interview with Bici.pro. “It's impressive, but this is the new reality.”

Whilst Evenepoel jumped straight from the juniors to the pro ranks, Finn is taking a steadier and measured approach in his development. The Italian himself was the one who decided it would be best for him to stay with the development team in 2026 before making the step-up to the WorldTour in 2027.

“Yes, it was a decision made with the team. I signed two years ago, when I joined the team as a junior, and I didn't want to change that agreement. I still have one year left here,” said Finn.

“Plus, I still have the opportunity to race in some races with the pros. My schedule will be mixed. Not to mention that I can wear the world champion's jersey in the under-23 races, which is a great privilege,” added the Italian.

Beyond his world title, Finn was one of the strongest performers at the under-23 level in 2025, finishing 6th on GC at the Giro d’Italia Next Gen, 4th at the Tour de l’Avenir and 5th at Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23.

Alongside the Worlds, these races are once more some of the Italian rider's major goals for the upcoming campaign. "I don't know my entire calendar in detail yet, but I already know which races will be under 23: the Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23, the Giro Next Gen, and the Tour de l'Avenir. These are my goals for the under-23s," explained Finn.

"To have a good Giro Next Gen and the same at the Avenir," said Finn when asked what the main goal is for 2026. "Looking to the future, I'd like to achieve these two big goals, not necessarily to win them, although I'd obviously like to, but to ride them well."

"To feel competitive in a long stage race. Then there are many other important races: I want to have my say among the pros too, if only to help the team, and I'm not forgetting the World Championships at the end of the season," added Finn.

The 19-year-old was asked the tough question of whether he would rather win the Giro or the Worlds next season. He could become the first Italian since Mattia Cattaneo in 2011 to win the Giro d'Italia Next Gen, or the first rider to win multiple editions of the under-23 men's world road race championships.

"I've already won the World Championships, so I'd say it would be really nice to bring home the Giro. I'm not saying I'm bitter about how things went last year, but a pink jersey is always special. And besides, it's a home race," said Finn.

Despite a predominant focus on goals at the under-23 level, as Finn mentioned, there will be opportunities to race with the senior team, such as he did at races like the Coppi e Bartali and Gran Piemonte, for example.

One of those races amongst the pros will be the Mallorca Challenge team time trial, which serves as crucial preparation ahead of the opening stage of the 2026 Tour de France in Barcelona, which is a 19.7km TTT, where he will line up alongside Evenepoel. 

I'll also be doing a team time trial in Mallorca with the Tour de France team, a great opportunity,” said Finn, also highlighting his ambitions to improve his ability in the race against the clock in general after finishing 4th in the under-23 time trial world championships.

“But above all, because I want to prepare well for the time trials I'll be competing in this season.”