Another Autumn Italian Classic for Bahrain Victorious in the ‘Tre Valli Varesine’

# Bahrain Victorious Aims for Glory in the 104th Edition of Tre Valli Varesine

Bahrain Victorious is set to continue its strong Italian campaign as it prepares for the 104th edition of the Tre Valli Varesine on Tuesday. Covering 200.3 km from Busto Arsizio to the iconic finish in Varese’s Via Sacco, this year’s route mirrors the one planned for last year, which was ultimately cancelled due to severe weather conditions.

The race will see crucial route changes from the previous editions, including the challenging Ronchi climb, known for its prominence during the 2008 World Championships, and the notorious ‘muro delle Cinque Piante’ (Wall of the Five Plants). These additions promise to amplify the race’s difficulty, especially in the final stages.

Starting at the Textile Museum in Busto Arsizio, riders will tackle a 26.1 km opening section characterized by a gentle ascent towards Carnago and Morazzone. The first ascent of the Ronchi climb will take place as the peloton passes through the Varese finish line for the first time. Following this, racers will complete seven laps of a 15.9 km circuit, which includes both the Montello and Ronchi climbs, with the latter reaching its peak just a kilometer before the finish line.

After the circuit laps, there are 62.8 km remaining on a lengthy 31.4 km loop that must be traversed twice, featuring challenging climbs including Montello, Barasso, Luvinate, and the steep Cinque Piante wall. The final stretch will include the Via Matteotti ramp, followed by a rolling section leading to Casciago, before descending back to the Ronchi for the climax of the race. The course presents a significant challenge with a total elevation gain of 3,171 meters.

Bahrain Victorious has consistently performed well in this race, achieving top-ten finishes in all three of its previous participations, including a podium by Vincenzo Nibali in 2017. Damiano Caruso, who finished ninth in the team’s last appearance in 2019, is making a return to the roster, stepping in to replace the injured Nicolò Buratti. “We had a last-minute change as Nicolò Buratti crashed out from Coppa Bernocchi,” explained Sports Director Roman Kreuziger. “So we updated our lineup and Damiano Caruso was available and happy to ride.”

Kreuziger noted the strength of their roster, acknowledging the competitive field: “Of course, the field is very strong — we expect hard racing, and when Tadej Pogačar is in the race, it’s always in one direction — but I think Lenny Martinez showed he’s on track, and Antonio Tiberi is feeling good. Climbing-wise, I think we’re great.”

In support of Caruso will be teammates Robert Stannard, Fred Wright, and Torstein Træen, among others. “I believe we can achieve a top-five result. We started the Italian campaign with a podium in Emilia and a seventh place today with Fred at Bernocchi, so I hope tomorrow we’ll be in the mix again,” added Kreuziger.

With their preparations complete, Bahrain Victorious will look to leverage their experience and strength in what promises to be an exhilarating race full of twists and turns.