PRETTY IN PINK:THE MAGLIA ROSA BACK ON A BIANCHI

Afonso Eulálio powers his Oltre RC into the Giro d’Italia lead, marking a historic milestone for Bianchi and Team Bahrain Victorious.

Treviglio (Italy), Wednesday 13th May: Bianchi is delighted to be sitting at the top of the cycling world after Team Bahrain Victorious rider Afonso Eulálio moved into the iconic pink jersey on stage five of the Giro d’Italia. 

Eulálio moved into the Maglia Rosa, and the Maglia Bianca of the best young rider, after making it into a decisive breakaway that worked tirelessly to evade their pursuers, and then battled back from a late crash to sprint to second place in Potenza aboard his Oltre RC. 

That result saw Eulálio claim first place in the General Classification, where he now holds a two-minute-and-51-second lead over stage five winner Igor Arrieta. 

The result is not just a landmark moment for Team Bahrain Victorious, but also for Bianchi, who last led the Giro d’Italia in 2021.  

Bianchi CEO Alberto Cavaggioni said: “There is a unique and powerful emotion in seeing the Maglia Rosa back on a Bianchi bike. This achievement, coming in our very first year of partnership with Team Bahrain Victorious, is a landmark moment that validates our shared vision and competitive spirit.

“As an Italian brand that has helped write the history of the Giro d’Italia since the very beginning, leading this race again is a source of immense pride. Afonso’s incredible performance on the Oltre RC proves the racing soul of our technology and the success of our Reparto Corse philosophy. 

“This result is a tribute to our owner Salvatore Grimaldi, who always believed in us, and of course, our employees and dealers across the world. This achievement will motivate us to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation and to continue building the dream bikes of the future.”

Team Bahrain Victorious rider Afonso Eulálio said: “I’m incredibly proud to wear the Maglia Rosa. It was an extremely hard day out, but also a very special one. Now that it’s on my shoulders, I’ll give everything on the road to fight for it and hold onto it for as long as possible.

“It’s also really special to achieve this in our first season racing on Bianchi bikes. As such an iconic Italian brand, we know what it means to carry the Maglia Rosa.”

Please credit all photos to Sprint Cycling Agency.