Lorenzo Finn achieves an outstanding third place in the overall standings of the French stage race, also known as the Tour de France of junior cycling. The team also wins a stage, wears the yellow jersey for a day, and secures several special classifications.
What the Tour de France is to professional cyclists, the Tour du Valromey is to junior cycling. With extremely challenging stages and a top-class starting field, the race through the French Alps is considered the most important stage race in the international U19 calendar. The GRENKE - Auto Eder team travelled to France with high ambitions: alongside the reigning vice world champion Paul Fietzke, the six-member squad from Raubling included Noah Lindholm Møller Andersen, Theodor August Clemmensen (both from Denmark), Patrick Casey (Ireland), Kryštof Král (Czech Republic), and Lorenzo Finn (Italy).
The GRENKE - Auto Eder riders demonstrated right from the start that they are among the best U19 talents in the world. Patrick Casey won the second stage as a solo rider after a courageous performance, while Paul Fietzke took the yellow leader’s jersey on the same day. Although Fietzke had to relinquish the overall lead later, Lorenzo Finn (overall third) remained in contention for the overall podium until the end. Fietzke (overall fifth) and Noah Lindholm Møller Andersen (overall tenth) completed the team’s outstanding results. Also impressive: Noah Lindholm Møller Andersen won the white jersey for the best young rider, Paul Fietzke claimed the intermediate sprint classification, and GRENKE - Auto Eder triumphed in the team’s classification.
After their successful participation in the Tour de France for juniors, the GRENKE - Auto Eder athletes are now heading into a well-deserved summer break. Preparation for the European Championships (11th to 14th September) and World Championships (23rd to 26th September) will begin with the Belgian stage race Aubel-Thimister-Stavelot (2nd to 4th August).
Results
Quotes
“I had hoped beforehand to be able to compete for the podium. Accordingly, I'm very happy that it worked out. What I took away from France was that I was able to perform every day. Additionally, we rode very strongly together as a team.” – Lorenzo Finn
“A very tough week in France. I am very satisfied with my performance – especially because I was able to prove that I can also ride well in the mountains. I also want to highlight our team performance: we won the team classification with almost a ten-minute lead – this shows that we were the best team.” – Paul Fietzke
“Three riders in the top ten in one of the toughest stage races in the junior racing calendar – that is a really good team result. The Ain Bugey Valromey Tour was one of our major season goals. We can be very satisfied with the week in France.” – Dr Christian Schrot, Sports Director