Bahrain Victorious return to Coppa Bernocchi
# Bahrain Victorious Gears Up for Historic Coppa Bernocchi
On Monday, October 6th, Bahrain Victorious will return to the prestigious Coppa Bernocchi, a significant event in the Italian cycling calendar and a key race in the “Trittico Lombardo.” Taking place in Legnano, located northwest of Milan, this year marks the 106th edition of the race, which has previously seen resounding success for the team.
Bahrain Victorious has established a formidable reputation at the Coppa Bernocchi, with notable victories by Sonny Colbrelli in 2017 and 2018, along with Phil Bauhaus’s triumph in 2019. However, the team’s participation was interrupted in 2020 due to the race’s cancellation, and they have not returned in subsequent years.
As they prepare to compete this year, team members Fred Wright and Nicolò Buratti will be making their debuts at the event. “Our cards to play are Fred Wright and Nicolò Buratti — Fred as a leader and Nicolò as a joker,” noted TBV Sports Director Roman Kreuziger. “Both have shown good form recently, and with the field we’ll face, they should be able to fight for a strong result for the team. We started the Italian campaign well and, of course, want to continue with that same spirit.”
Kreuziger also shared insights on the race profile, highlighting that although “the race isn’t particularly long, generally, around 40 riders reach the finish, where a reduced bunch sprint is expected.” He acknowledged the potential for aggressive racing, which could lead to a successful breakaway, similar to events from the previous year.
The Coppa Bernocchi follows a traditional route, beginning with a flat and fast first 35 kilometers that includes three intermediate sprints. Racers will then tackle the demanding Valle Olona circuit—repeated eight times—featuring challenging climbs, including San Pancrazio, Piccolo Stelvio, and Caramamma, which is critical for the King of the Mountains title. The circuit presents a total elevation gain of about 2,100 meters, making it a selective course.
“We’re lucky to have a rider like Robert Stannard, who knows the area well… I’m sure he’ll be very important in the finale, whether for the lead-out or supporting our leader and joker,” Kreuziger added, praising Stannard’s familiarity with the course.
Another noteworthy addition is Andrea Pasqualon, returning to racing after a lengthy recovery from a crash at the Giro d’Italia. Kreuziger expressed optimism regarding Pasqualon’s participation: “We’re happy to see him pinning on a number again… his experience will be valuable.”
Rounding out the Bahrain Victorious lineup will be two riders from the Development Team: U23 Italian Champion Alessandro Borgo and Thomas Capra, both of whom have recently competed at significant events. “They’re very welcome additions, and it’ll be a great experience for them at Coppa Bernocchi,” concluded Kreuziger.
As the team readies for this iconic race, all eyes will be on their performance, with hopes of adding another victory to their legacy at the Coppa Bernocchi.
