Giro leader Eulálio confirms contract extension with Bahrain-Victorious: 'It's perfect'

Afonso Eulálio has stated that he has signed a contract extension with Bahrain Victorious until the end of the 2028 season. 

It was reported on Wednesday by Daniel Benson that Eulálio had agreed a new deal with the Bahrain team, pre-Giro, that would run through until the end of 2028. 

In a Bahrain Victorious press release following his first day in the maglia rosa on stage 6, Eulálio seemed to confirm the news when discussing the fact that he has become the first rider from Bahrain Victorious to wear the maglia rosa at the Giro. 

“It’s perfect, the first rider from the team in the pink jersey and it’s quite good, because I stay with the team until at least 2028," said Eulálio. "We stay, we are working together, the team believes in me, it’s perfect."

Eulálio reflected on his first day in pink, highlighting the work of his team and the importance of recovering as much as possible after an attritional stage on Wednesday, where he also crashed en route to the race lead.

“Pretty good day. I think all the team enjoyed this moment, the directors driving the first car, all the team, the riders, did a perfect job to be safe today,” said Eulálio. “And spin the legs for recovery from the hard day yesterday.”

Former Giro stage winner and runner-up Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious) is riding his ninth and last Giro before retiring at the end of the season, and stated he was proud before the stage of his Portuguese teammate’s achievement. Eulálio reflected on the words of his teammate, whom he paid great credit to. 

“To have Damiano next to me is crazy. In the final, you don’t need to work, just have Damiano next to me. He’s super, I feel some motivation just to have Damiano next to me. He’s a grande capitano,” said Eulálio.

After enjoying his first day in pink, Eulálio will now be hoping to defend on the first summit finish of the race atop Blockhaus on Friday. He holds a 2:51 lead over stage 5 winner Igor Arrieta (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), and 6:22 over pre-race favourite Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike).