Lorenzo Mark Finn world champion at age 17

Lorenzo Mark Finn in triumph

A day, that of the World Cycling and Para-cycling World Championships in Switzerland, started in the best way, with the 5 medals in para-cycling, and closed with the splendid feat of Lorenzo Mark Finn who brings back to Italy the junior rainbow jersey in line 17 years later. The’last to wear it FU Diego Ulissi, also present here in Zurich with the national élite.

The’azzurro, 18 years old in December, èmade himself the author of a’feat, as was to be expected on a day marked by incessant rain. He went into a breakaway with 60 kilometers to go (“.I was hoping someone would join in, but it wasn’t so ì”) and tried to make the difference for some 20 kilometers before being caught by a group of three chasers including favorite Philipsen, last year’s world champion. The four proceeded together for about ten kilometers, then the Dane tried to force it. He is resisted only by the Blue. Then downhill: “we were in line me ahead and him behind, when he è fell… I hope he was not hurt.” The fall of the Dane leaves the field open to Finn, who completes his solo ride in 2h57’05” (127.2 km race). Behind him closes, at 2’05” the Briton Grindley; third the Dutch Remijn.

“We knew that the Danes would try to make the race tough and we planned to attack on the’last lap. For’things don’t always go as planned. I felt good and tried to pick up the pace from a distance, hoping someone would come after me. It wasnè t like that and I decided not to push on. When they caught up with me I was still feeling good and so I didn’t get demoralized. I followed Philipsen when he forced the pace. Then, when è fell, è it was a time trial", concluded Lorenzo Mark Finn.