Lorenzo Germani brings a final thrill

# Lorenzo Germani Makes a Memorable Exit at the Veneto Classic

The 2025 cycling season has officially concluded for the Groupama-FDJ team, but not before an exhilarating finale at the Veneto Classic. On Sunday, Lorenzo Germani was a prominent figure in the race, taking part in a breakaway that evaded the main contenders. His determination saw him take the lead for a brief period after the final climb, yet he ultimately fell just short of a podium finish, signaling a promising outlook for the next season.

Following a strong showing at both the Tour of Guangxi and the Chrono des Nations—where teammates Stefan Küng and Rémi Cavagna secured third and fourth places—the Veneto Classic brought the season to a close. The course maintained its classic layout, featuring a circuit around Bassano del Grappa with tough segments like the cobbled La Tisa climb (400m at 11%), followed by a challenging loop that included the gravel ascent of Diesel Farm (1.2 km at 10%) and the Strada Soarda hill (400m at 9%) just four kilometers from the finish line.

“It was a hell of a race,” commented Stéphane Goubert, reflecting on the dynamics that led to a open race. “It was the end of the season, some teams didn’t want to take control of the race, and that led to this scenario. We had Lorenzo in front… While we waited to see what the other teams would do, Lorenzo was able to make the minimum effort up front. Sometimes you have to use the presence of a leader to play tactically.”

Lorenzo himself acknowledged the race’s challenges: “I knew I should avoid the sprint.” Despite never losing more than a three-minute margin, 40 kilometers from the finish, the breakaway had a two-minute advantage. As the peloton’s favorites began to engage, Grégoire stayed competitive, but the collaboration among the chasers quickly fell apart, allowing the breakaway to work effectively—albeit with dwindling numbers.

“I wasn’t feeling great, so I often asked about the gap to the peloton to know what I should do,” said Germani, who remained among the eleven leaders tackling the last lap of La Tisa. After the climb, it became evident that the chasing pack could not catch up, setting the stage for a showdown among the early leaders.

Navigating the final challenges, Germani fell slightly behind on the cobblestones but regained position on the gravel ascent. “I took my own pace from the bottom and was able to go over it in the front,” he recalled. He managed to create a small gap before entering the final four kilometers, only to be reeled back in by Vermeersch and Loland shortly thereafter.

“I didn’t expect to fight for victory,” he admitted, explaining that his energy had waned just as the finish approached. The uphill finale proved too much, ending with Germani finishing in a frustrating fourth place. “I had nothing left to make a decent sprint,” he confessed but added, “I think this is the type of race that suits me. It was hard from start to finish… I was very close to my first pro victory.”

Stéphane Goubert commended Germani’s efforts: “If Ulissi had come back on the two chasers, it’s almost certain that they would have looked at each other and Lorenzo would have won. He came close, but I especially liked his mindset. It was a great performance to end the season.”

As the Team closes the book on 2025, Germani’s fierce spirit and tenacity signal an exciting prospect for the upcoming season.