The VF Group Bardiani-CSF Faizanè team has completed the 43rd Giro d’Italia in its history, standing out as the only all-Italian team at the start and a protagonist in the key moments of the *Corsa Rosa*. With 9 top-10 finishes achieved by 5 different riders and 14 stages spent on the attack, the team confirmed itself as one of the most active squads, always present in the breakaways and showing a clear, aggressive identity.

Team Manager Roberto Reverberi stated:“Even in the final stage we made ourselves seen, with Marcellusi in the breakaway and Zanoncello finishing ninth in the sprint. At this level, for a team like ours, it’s increasingly difficult to win—none of the five ProTeams in the race managed it. But we honored the race and came out with our heads held high. These are important results for a young team. Marcellusi and Fiorelli had a great Giro. It’s a shame about the withdrawals of the two debutants, Pinarello and Martinelli, on whom we had placed high hopes. The overall balance is positive: in the sprints, on the climbs, on the gravel, our riders were always there.”

The standout attacker of this Giro was Manuele Tarozzi, who went on the attack no fewer than 7 times. Unsurprisingly, he’s the rider who has covered the most kilometers in breakaways worldwide this season. He won the Red Bull KM classification with 45 points, ahead of Del Toro and Scaroni, finished fourth in the King of the Mountains classification, and also took home the Breakaway Award.

Words from the Romagna-born rider:“Being the rider with the most breakaway kilometers in this Giro is a personal source of pride, but it’s also thanks to the entire team’s work. Every day, we started with the goal of animating the race, and I think we achieved that. Winning the Red Bull KM is satisfying, as is the fourth place in the KOM classification and the Breakaway Prize. I tried to honor the race and the jersey every chance I got. This Giro gave me a lot, in terms of experience and confidence.”

A noteworthy Giro also for Roman rider Martin Marcellusi, who was a protagonist in the Sestrière stage (6th place) and in the Naples stage (7th). He finished 20th in the selective Siena stage and was active in Nova Gorica as well, where a crash unfortunately denied him a likely podium finish.

Martin Marcellusi said:“It was a great Giro d’Italia. I started strong, even in Albania, although I did get a yellow card there, which initially threw me off a bit. Then I realized I couldn’t let it affect me and went back to giving it my all. In Naples, I finished seventh in the sprint—a somewhat unexpected result but earned by diving into the fray with determination. Overall, we rode strongly throughout the Giro, also as a team. In the Siena stage, even though I finished 20th, I think I put in a great performance. But the most meaningful moment was the sixth place in the Sestrière stage with the Colle delle Finestre—I never thought I could do so well on such a tough course. I’m very satisfied, especially because I noticed the level of the peloton was much higher than in my previous two Giros: it sometimes took 60, 70, even 80 km for a breakaway to go. It was a real battle every day. The final stage in Rome was spectacular. In short, an intense and positive experience.”

Strong results also came from veteran Filippo Fiorelli, who placed 5th in the Matera stage and 8th in the demanding Asiago stage. The Sicilian rider completed his sixth Giro d’Italia.

His words:“I’m satisfied with my Giro. Compared to last year, I raced differently—we were focused on the cyclamen jersey and the intermediate sprint, while this year, being in good shape, I targeted the stages directly. The first chance in Albania slipped away because of Landa’s crash. Without that, in a small group of about thirty riders, I could have fought for a top-five finish. There were other solid results, but the Matera stage was the one I focused on most: I knew the course and had prepared everything in detail. Finishing fifth, considering opponents like Pedersen and Pidcock, was very satisfying. In Asiago, I pushed beyond my limits, even when my legs weren’t at their best. Mentally I was there, and I finished eighth. With a bit more luck, maybe I could’ve even fought for the win or at least the podium. That’s the only small regret—the cherry on top that was missing. But overall, the result is positive.”

Also noteworthy was Filippo Magli’s 4th place in the Cesano Maderno stage, where he was in contention for a podium in the sprint—an achievement that adds to the Empoli rider’s palmarès.

Valtellina-born Alessio Martinelli also secured a Top 10 finish (10th place) in the Castelraimondo stage, before a heavy crash in the San Valentino Brentonico stage forced him to abandon his first Giro d’Italia.

Finally, Enrico Zanoncello made his mark in the sprints as well, finishing 10th in Lecce and 9th in Rome.

All Top-10 Placements at the Giro d’Italia:
8th Filippo Fiorelli – Stage 3 – Vlorë–Vlorë
10th Enrico Zanoncello – Stage 4 – Alberobello–Lecce
5th Filippo Fiorelli – Stage 5 – Ceglie Messapica–Matera
7th Martin Marcellusi – Stage 6 – Potenza–Naples
10th Alessio Martinelli – Stage 8 – Giulianova–Castelraimondo
8th Filippo Fiorelli – Stage 15 – Fiume Veneto–Asiago
4th Filippo Magli – Stage 18 – Morbegno–Cesano Maderno
6th Martin Marcellusi – Stage 20 – Verrès–Sestrière
9th Enrico Zanoncello – Stage 21 – Rome–Rome