Eulálio Retains Maglia Rosa in Napoli
# Eulálio Secures Maglia Rosa as Giro d’Italia Heads to Napoli
Afonso Eulálio of Bahrain Victorious proudly retained the Maglia Rosa after completing Stage 6 of the Giro d’Italia, a 142 km route that began in Paestum and ended in the vibrant city of Napoli. The stage was marked by a flat terrain and concluded with fast-paced racing, where Davide Ballerini of XDS Astana Team clinched victory. Jasper Stuyven and Paul Magnier from Soudal Quick-Step rounded out the podium in a tightly contested stage.
The day was anticipated as a sprinter’s paradise, featuring only one categorised climb, a fourth-category ascent at Cava de Tirreni, before the race culminated in the technical final stretch into Piazza del Plebiscito. Eulálio, having taken the overall lead from Potenza the previous day, began the day wearing the pink jersey, supported diligently by his teammates who focused on securing the leader’s position ahead of looming mountain challenges.
As the race approached Napoli, a narrow and slightly uphill section led to a frenetic finish. Approximately 22 km from the line, Alec Segaert attempted to break away from the pack but was quickly reeled in. Eulálio finished with the main group, successfully defending his lead, while Segaert ultimately finished in sixth place.
After the race, Segaert expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I am just happy not to crash and to take my first top 10 of this Giro, with a bit of luck. The final was quite hectic… I tried to stay calm and keep myself in a good place coming into the last kilometre.”
Eulálio reflected on his performance, saying, “I think all the team and the directors did a perfect job today… To ride at the front of a Grand Tour for the first time in my life, wearing the Maglia Rosa… was really special. Now I just want more and more.”
He acknowledged the emotional impact of riding alongside Damiano Caruso, his team captain, describing it as a significant motivation. “To have Damiano next to me is crazy… it is perfect to be the first rider from Bahrain Victorious to wear the Maglia Rosa.”
Sports Director Franco Pellizotti noted the complexities of the stage, saying, “On paper, it looked easy… but it was dangerous because of the villages, the corners, and the narrow sections… Luckily, the weather was okay… and we finished the day safely.”
As the Giro d’Italia progresses, the next challenge will be Stage 7, which features the first major summit finish of the race, increasing the stakes for Eulálio and his team.
