Eulálio’s agent eyes long-term Bahrain deal with major pay rise after Giro breakthrough

The former professional, now agent, Beñat Intxausti, who won stages at the Giro d’Italia in 2013 and 2015, has said Afonso Eulálio’s breakthrough in Italy has significantly increased his standing despite already being under contract until 2028, as the rider confirmed during the race.

"He has a contract until the end of 2028, but it’s true that things have changed a lot with the Giro. The team is very happy and wants to offer him a longer-term contract,” Intxausti told TopCycling. 

“This winter, three WorldTour teams inquired about him, but Afonso knew where he wanted to stay. We met in December and January, and Afonso always made it clear that he wanted to continue with Bahrain because they were the ones who believed in him when he was in Portugal,” explained Intxausti.

Eulálio’s market value has ultimately risen significantly following the Giro, according to his agent. 

"We have a signed contract, but we are negotiating a long-term contract with Bahrain; during the Giro, you can multiply that by five or six compared to what we had," said Intxausti.

Intxausti stated how the experience of being in the spotlight and the sharp end of the GC has changed Eulálio's status in the peloton. 

"The Afonso who finished the Giro is different from the Afonso who started it. He's a rider with much more value to the team and the world of cycling."

“He wore the pink jersey, he was the best young rider, his sporting value increased significantly, and that's where the charisma of each athlete comes in," added Intxausti. "There are very good riders who don't have this gift with the press, and Afonso won over the public and the journalists."

Eulálio's ascent was a planned trajectory put in place by Bahrain before the season, and therefore not a sudden surprise to the team. His Giro follows his impressive performances in 2025, which included a ninth-place finish at the World Championships in Rwanda.

"Even before negotiating the contract, they already had a four-year project for Afonso," Intxausti said. "This project included doing a Grand Tour, the Giro, and gradually learning to be a leader."

That plan accelerated when Bahrain lost its GC leader Santiago Buitrago on stage 2, forcing Eulálio into a more prominent role.

"I spoke with Afonso and told him: ‘A door has opened for you to captain the team and be the leader.’ He assumed this role without any nervousness, which is rare in a cyclist with little experience, and then I saw that he has the makings of a champion."

The experience convinced Intxausti that Eulálio possesses not only the physical attributes required at the highest level, but also the mentality to thrive under pressure.

"He likes the pressure, he excels under pressure, he doesn't get nervous. For example, on the time trial day, which was the worst for him, I spent a few days visiting him and Pelizzotti told me that Afonso was sleeping 9-10 hours every day, being the leader of the Giro and with all that that implies," explained Intxausti. 

Looking ahead, Intxausti believes Eulálio could also thrive in the Ardennes Classics. 

"I saw him more as a rider for week-long races, for classics like Liège-Bastogne-Liège or Flèche Wallonne, because he has a lot of explosiveness and technically he's good, he knows how to position himself in the peloton, and he has the audacity for one-day races," concluded Intxausti. 

Following his Giro exploits, Eulálio is expected to return to action on June 17 at the Tour de Suisse, with World Champion Tadej Pogačar headlining the provisional start list.