After the Women’s race this morning, won by the British Cat Fergusonit was up to the Junior Men to express themselves this Thursday on the roads of the Zurich World Championships. At the end of a crazy race, where the two big favorites Paul Seixas (France) and Albert Whiten Philipsen (Denmark) suffered a craving and a crash respectively, it was ultimately Lorenzo Finn (Italy) who won, ahead of Sebastian Grindley (2nd, Great Britain) and Senna Remijn (3rd, Netherlands). The one who usually evolves under the colors of Team GRENKE-Auto Eder (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe junior team), offers the first victory to Italy in this event since Diego Ulissi in 2007.
Video – Lorenzo Finn, 2024 Junior World Champion
The detailed summary
In the rain and with a wet road, the nervousness is present as soon as the flag drops. There are many falls in the first 25 kilometers, which are flat. Many of the riders go ashore, including the very talented Noah Lindholm Moller Andersen (Denmark). But it is his Danish team which is in the lead and toughens the race for one of the two big favorites of the day: Albert Whiten Philipsen.
From the first difficulties, it attacks in all directions and skimming happens naturally. Despite these numerous offensives, no one manages to make the difference, but the selection is done from behind and we quickly find only around fifteen riders at the head of the race, including almost all the favorites, apart from Pavel Sumpik (Czech Republic). Aubin Sparfel And Paul Seixas represent France in this group. Lorenzo Finn (Italy) is the first to manage to make a small gap, 60 kilometers from the finish. Behind the Italian, five men go hunting for him, with Senna Remijn (The Netherlands), Sebastian Grindley (Great Britain), Hector Alvarez (Spain) and the two big favorites Paul Seixas (France) and Albert Whiten Philipsen (Denmark).
The two favorites offside, Finn the strongest
Approaching the last crossing on the line, Philipsen goes on the offensive again and returns to Finnaccompanied by Grindley And Alvarez. But Remijn and above all Seixas fail to follow. A hard blow for the Frenchman, who was aiming for the double after his victory in the time trial. Probably the victim of a cold or a craving, Seixas completely breaks down and even has difficulty keeping up with the rhythm of Remijn. There are therefore only four left who can compete for victory.
While he had once again gone on the offensive, and alone Finn was able to follow him, Albert Whiten Philipsen falls heavily on a descent. The Dane, impressive from the start, did not get up and threw in the towel. In the transition Alvarez returns to Finnbut explodes directly on the next ascent. The Italian once again finds himself alone in the lead 21 kilometers from the finish and seems to be flying towards victory. The runners are one by one, all exhausted from a crazy race. Finn is a tone above the competition this Tuesday and brings its lead to almost two minutes. Alvarez he completely explodes. It is taken up and deposited by Grindleythen by the trio Senna Remijn (The Netherlands), Paul Fietzke (Germany) and Ashlin Barry (UNITED STATES). And so it is Lorenzo Finn who wins these Junior World Championships… and in what way! He is accompanied on the podium by the Briton Sebastian Grindley and the Dutch Senna Remijnwho won the sprint for 3rd place. On the other hand, disappointment for the French, since Paul Seixas could not get better than 7th place. Baptiste Grégoire And Aubin Sparfel took 13th and 18th positions.
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