Afonso Eulálio is set to make his Grand Tour debut at the Giro d’Italia with Bahrain-Victorious. The 23-year-old Portuguese rider joins a young team led by Italian Antonio Tiberi, who’s eyeing a strong general classification finish after his promising fifth-place result last year.
A New Challenge
Eulálio’s selection was praised by team manager Gorazd Stangelj, who said, “We don’t know how far we can go with this young rider, but he’s been doing well so far.” Stangelj added that Eulálio will be a valuable asset to the team, particularly in certain stages, and that his participation is an investment in his future. Eulálio’s inconsistent performances have been a topic of discussion, with Stangelj noting that he sometimes shows great form, only to follow it up with a less impressive result.
The Bahrain-Victorious lineup for the Giro includes experienced riders like Damiano Caruso, who finished second in 2021, and Pello Bilbao. Other team members are Andrea Pasqualon, Edoardo Zambanini, Fran Miholjevic, and Matevz Govekar.
A Promising Start
Eulálio’s first season in the WorldTour has been eventful. He finished 15th overall in the Tour Down Under, his best result so far. The young rider also wore the yellow jersey for seven days during the Volta a Portugal, where he ultimately finished 10th. Other notable appearances include the Volta ao Algarve (93rd), Strade Bianche (46th), Tirreno-Adriático (did not finish), Volta à Catalunha (61st), and Volta aos Alpes (53rd).
Eulálio’s Giro d’Italia debut marks a significant milestone in his career. With his talent and the team’s support, he’s poised to make a lasting impression in the world of cycling.