Coppa Sabatini 2026: Pellizzari and Lipowitz Lead Red Bull Hopes, Caruso and Tiberi for Bahrain

The RaceOn Thursday, September 10, 2026, Peccioli hosts the Coppa Sabatini, a Tuscan classic of Procontinental category that closes the Italian one-day race season. As always, the event promises spectacle on the rolling hills of the Pisan countryside, with a final circuit that historically rewards the most explosive riders.Expected protagonists at the startThe confirmed startlist features a mix of young talents and experienced riders. Among the most prominent names are Giulio Pellizzari and Florian Lipowitz of Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, ready to make a difference. Bahrain - Victorious fields two classification riders like Damiano Caruso and Antonio Tiberi, while Bardiani CSF 7 Saber entrusts its hopes to Luca Paletti. Also watch out for Caja Rural - Seguros RGA, which can count on a large block with Joan Bou, Stefano Oldani, Sebastian Berwick and Gorka Sorarrain.Form of the big namesGiulio Pellizzari arrives in Peccioli strong from a fourth place at Milano-Torino in early October, a race with a similar profile, and a season that has seen him shine on several occasions: he achieved a notable result at the Vuelta a Burgos, winning a stage, and finished in the top-5 in three stages of the Giro d'Italia, showing consistency even in high-level stage races.Florian Lipowitz, his teammate, has shown finisher character: top-7 placements in four mountain stages of the Tour de France and a stage win at the Tour of Slovenia make him a credible alternative, capable of attacking from afar.Damiano Caruso, with his experience, finished third in stage 17 of the Giro d'Italia and maintained a strong pace in the final stages of the Corsa Rosa. Antonio Tiberi, more inconsistent, has nevertheless shown he can compete at the highest level with a sixth place in stage 3 of the Tour de Romandie.Among the outsiders, Luca Paletti impressed with a seventh place at the Giro dell'Appennino, a race that by characteristics is close to the Sabatini, while Joan Bou and Sebastian Berwick have collected prestigious placements in this season's stage races.Favourites for victoryBased on the data collected, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe starts with the bookmakers' favour: Giulio Pellizzari is the number one name, strong from his consistency and the Milano-Torino result, while Florian Lipowitz represents the alternative in case of a harder race. Bahrain - Victorious plays the experience card with Damiano Caruso, who knows the Tuscan circuits well, and the freshness of Antonio Tiberi. Luca Paletti of Bardiani could be the surprise, exploiting his knowledge of the territory and the form shown in recent outings.The race promises to be tactically complex: teams with more riders may try to set up a long-range breakaway, while teams with big names will control the race to prepare the ground for their captains. The Peccioli circuit, with its short and selective climb, will be the perfect stage for an explosive finale.The Coppa Sabatini is one of Italy's longest-running classics on the calendar, but this year the official data does not report the distance and elevation gain of the course.