Eulalio leads Victorious in Varese

TDT | Manama

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Bahrain Victorious will field a strong line-up at the Tre Valli Varesine today, with Afonso Eulalio set to lead their challenge in the 103rd edition of the Italian one-day race.

The final leg of the Trittico Lombardo runs from Busto Arsizio to Varese and provides one of the final tests before Il Lombardia.

Eulalio, winner of the Giro d’Italia’s white jersey this season, will be joined by Lenny Martinez, Antonio Tiberi, Santiago Buitrago and road captain Pello Bilbao, who is in the final season of his career.

Young Slovenian Jakob Omrzel and compatriot Matej Mohoric complete the seven-rider line-up, with both arriving from the European Championships.

The demanding course features six laps of a 15.9-kilometre circuit containing the Ronchi and Montello climbs before two laps of a longer 31.4km circuit.

The latter also includes the steep Muro delle Cinque Pinte, which will be crested around 14km from the finish on the final lap.

Bahrain Victorious sports director Roman Kreuziger believes positioning will be crucial and is seen to give Eulalio an opportunity to challenge near the front.

“I remember from last year that Afonso really liked the race,” Kreuziger said. “Physically he is hungry and feeling good, so I would like to play that card with him.”

Kreuziger also expects Bilbao and Martinez to arrive in good condition, while Buitrago returns to racing following the World Championships.

With many of the riders also preparing for Il Lombardia, the team are targeting a strong result while keeping their squad in good shape.

“I would be very satisfied with a top-five result,” Kreuziger said. “For the moment, the most important thing for us is to keep this group healthy and do our job well.”