Caruso Third in Andalo as Eulálio Retains Maglia Bianca
# Caruso Shines in Andalo with Third Place Finish as Eulálio Holds onto Maglia Bianca
In a thrilling Stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia, Damiano Caruso secured a commendable third place finish, reinforcing Bahrain Victorious’ prominent presence in the race. The stage, stretching 202 kilometers from Cassano d’Adda to Andalo, witnessed an impressive performance, propelling Caruso into the top 10 of the general classification, while Afonso Eulálio successfully retained the coveted Maglia Bianca.
The day was marked by an aggressive start, as riders jostled for position in what was anticipated to be a breakaway stage. Michael Valgren (EF Education-EasyPost) clinched the victory with a strategic attack in the final kilometer, followed closely by Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X Mobility) in second, and Caruso crossing the line six seconds later.
“Today it was really hard. From the beginning, everyone knew it could be a breakaway stage, so I think almost 170 riders tried to join the move. It was a big fight,” Caruso remarked after the race. He described the day as a challenging one, filled with fierce competition, especially during the initial flat segment.
As the stage progressed, Caruso managed to link up with the main breakaway that faced demanding climbs including the Passo dei Tre Termini. He cleverly conserved his energy, waiting for the right moment to make his move. “When we were down to 10 or 12 riders, everyone started attacking each other, and I have to say I was on the limit,” he continued. Despite missing out on a stage victory, Caruso expressed his satisfaction: “I feel like I won today… I showed myself that I have character.”
Alongside Caruso’s remarkable ride, Afonso Eulálio maintained his steady performance, finishing safely within the GC group and holding on to the white jersey for the young rider classification. “We are super happy for one more day in the Maglia Bianca,” Eulálio commented. “Today we had Damiano in the breakaway… I think Damiano deserved it, and the team would have been super happy with one more win.”
The team’s sports director, Franco Pellizotti, echoed this sentiment, expressing pride in Caruso’s performance, particularly noting, “It was a good opportunity for him to go for the stage… he fought until the end.”
With only four stages remaining in the race, the Giro d’Italia is set to continue with Stage 18 from Fai della Paganella to Pieve di Soligo, where further challenges await riders as they head into the final mountain stages. The team remains eager for more potential victories.
