Best Team, Best Young Rider, and Second Overall – A Strong Week in Croatia

# Strong Performances Define Team Success at Cro Race 2025

The 10th edition of the Cro Race showcased a remarkable week for Bahrain — Victorious, underscored by teamwork, consistent performances, and notable achievements. Edoardo Zambanini clinched the runner-up spot overall after finishing second in both stages two and four, demonstrating his climbing prowess, while the team’s youngest cyclist, Jakob Omrzel, secured the coveted white jersey as the best under-23 rider.

Sports Director Aart Vierhouten shared insights on the team’s strategy, stating, “We came here aiming for a top-three finish in the general classification and a stage win. We set ambitious goals but arrived with a well-balanced squad, a mix of young talents and experience, with Damiano providing vital leadership.”

The race unfolded with Stage 1 presenting a sprint opportunity for Zak, who finished seventh but lacked teammate support in the final stretch. Following a shortened Stage 2, where the team focused on Zambanini, he executed a remarkable climb to secure second place, earning crucial bonus seconds.

While the team faced a challenging Stage 3, their strategy shifted towards aggression. Despite a strong effort to attack with 12km remaining, they failed to secure a sprint position. However, in the Queen stage of the race during Stage 4, the squad delivered an impressive performance. Zambanini once again finished second, catapulting him to second in the overall standings. Omrzel also shined, finishing sixth on the day and claiming the white jersey, while the team ascended to the lead in the team classification.

Stage 5 proved intense, as the team made significant efforts to safeguard their General Classification (GC) positions. Zambanini’s strong sprint resulted in a fourth-place finish, while Jakobs’s twelfth gave way to no changes in their standings heading into the final rainy stage.

Ultimately, despite challenging conditions, the team concluded the race with pride. “All in all, we’re very satisfied. Second in the general classification behind a rider of Brandon McNulty’s calibre is a result to be proud of,” Vierhouten remarked. “It’s a big step forward for Edoardo’s career, and Jakob has shown he’s a rider for the future. The whole team worked exceptionally well all week, and we’re very happy with the outcome.”

Zambanini also expressed his gratitude, reflecting on the camaraderie and support within the team. “It’s been a fantastic week, six days of racing that we all really enjoyed. I have to thank my teammates; they were completely committed to our shared goal. Personally, it’s been a great experience… Now we need to keep working hard and aim to be even better.”

With their strong showing at Cro Race 2025, Bahrain — Victorious sets a promising precedent for future competitions.