Race Report: The Italians have another star in the making. Lorenzo Finn turned promise into panache on the steep slopes of Kigali, powering clear to claim the U23 World Championship with a solo ride worthy of the rainbow bands.
On a course already familiar from the elite races — eleven laps of the Côte de Kimihurura, 15km each and full of sting — the chatter before the start centered on Belgian wunderkind Jarno Widar. But rumors of a shaky build-up thanks to a nagging buttock injury proved true: the day would belong to someone else.
The Early Show
The first sparks flew early, with Danylo Kozoriz, Ramazan Yilmaz, and Michal Pomorski testing the waters. None got far — thanks largely to Widar’s teammate Tim Rex, who rode like a man possessed on the front for over 60 kilometers, single-handedly keeping the bunch in check.
Canadian Jonas Walton managed at 37th place.
Alvarez Lights It Up
It took until 62 kilometers to go before we saw the race really open. Spaniard Hector Alvarez jumped clear, and in no time the peloton was in pieces. Behind, a select group formed: Halvor Dolven, Mateusz Gajdulewicz, Marco Schrettl, and Jan Huber clawed across, and then came Finn — smooth, strong, and ominously fresh.
For Widar, it was all unraveling. The Belgian prodigy never got into the mix and drifted backwards, his rainbow dream evaporating on the Rwandan tarmac.
The Decider
The showdown came with 30 kilometers left when Huber launched an ambitious move. Finn was the only one sharp enough to answer, and soon the two were locked together, dangling off the front. Huber hung grimly on, but you could sense the inevitable. With six kilometers to go, the elastic snapped on the Côte de Kimihurura.
Finn didn’t look back. The Italian turned the screws, settled into a victory march, and let the crowds roar him home — a year after winning the junior rainbow jersey, he now wears the U23 stripes.
Behind the Winner
Huber, who had ridden above expectations all day, clung on for silver. The rest never got close. Widar? A bad day, nothing more, but one that leaves Belgium scratching their heads after carrying so much of the early chase.
Another world title for Italy. Another name to remember: Lorenzo Finn.
Results from ProCyclingStats.com
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