Eulalio Stands Firm in the Maglia Rosa

# Eulalio Maintains Maglia Rosa Amidst Challenging Stage at Giro d’Italia

Afonso Eulàlio solidified his position in the Maglia Rosa following the 11th stage of the Giro d’Italia, completing the grueling 195km route from Porcari to Chiavari without incident. Jhonatan Narváez of UAE Team Emirates-XRG secured the stage victory, narrowly beating Enric Mas from Movistar Team, with Diego Ulissi of XDS Astana Team rounding out the podium.

After a fierce time trial the previous day, the Giro took to the roads again, unveiling a stage that began rapidly yet demanded significant effort during its latter half. A well-timed breakaway took the early lead, maintaining its advantage as the race progressed towards the scenic Ligurian coast. The course presented formidable climbs in its final stretch, keeping general classification (GC) contenders vigilant.

The most challenging portion arose post-Sestri Levante, featuring two short climbs prior to the final push into Chiavari. With a stage designed for attackers, the breakaway ultimately dictated the outcome, while those in the GC group maneuvered the last kilometers with caution.

Throughout the race, Eulàlio’s team concentrated on protecting their leader, managing heat factors, and ensuring he completed the day unscathed. Their efforts paid off, enabling Eulàlio to finish safely alongside the main GC group.

Reflecting on the day, Eulàlio remarked, “It was another hard day, especially with the heat, but the team did a perfect job. We tried to stay safe, drink a lot and stay focused until the final. Another day in pink is always important, but we have to keep going day by day. We cannot think too far ahead. We just need to stay focused and keep fighting.”

Franco Pellizotti, part of the support team, noted, “It was a hard stage, as we expected after the rest day and the time trial. A lot of riders took yesterday almost like a rest day, so today there was a big fight from the start until the finish. The last part was probably the hardest, but also a bit easier to control.”

He continued, emphasizing the day’s unique challenges: “It was probably the first really warm day of the Giro. The riders asked several times for ice socks, and we had six extra feed zones during the stage. They also came back to the car a few times for bottles. It was not easy to eat and drink properly because the race was very fast, especially with solid food, but they managed the day well with liquids.”

As the Giro d’Italia continues, the dream of Eulàlio donning the Maglia Rosa persists. The riders will face another stage tomorrow, departing from the coast in Imperia and heading towards Novi Ligure, setting the stage for further excitement in the 109th edition of this iconic race.