| BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS SUPER TEAM OF THE GIRO D’ITALIA AS MILAN SEALS THE CICLAMINO JERSEY |
Rome, the Eternal City, was the stunning setting of the conclusion of the 2023 Giro d’Italia on Sunday, May 28. A memorable edition for team Bahrain Victorious, which wrapped up the Corsa Rosa with a series of exceptional results, namely 2 stage wins, 4 second places, the Maglia Ciclamino for Jonathan Milan, the 4th place of Damiano Caruso in the GC and winning the Super Team classification.
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| Bahrain Victorious was one of the only two teams that finished this Giro’s edition, complete, with all eight riders. A strong squad that worked hard throughout 3 tough weeks with bad weather conditions, challenging stages and the difficulties, that are typical of a Grand Tour, as Sports Director Gorazd Stangelj explained: |
“The start of this Giro was not easy for us, as we had to make a last-minute change with Mäder. But Arashiro, who replaced him, showed how important team spirit is and the role of a worker like him in such a race. Jonathan Milan proved he deserved to be at this Giro, repaying the confidence with a victory on the very first occasion for the sprinters. I think that winning stage 2 was the key to our Giro because it relieves pressure for the remainder of the race.”
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The Bull of Buja took a maiden victory in his first Grand Tour, wearing the points jersey, the ‘Maglia Ciclamino’ for 20 consecutive days. “I’m very happy about this jersey. It was an incredible Giro for me and my team also. We did our best, and we deserved what we achieved. My teammates were fabulous in helping me, especially on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo stage when I was suffering badly”.
Jonny Power was 2nd in four stages, proving to be the most consistent sprinter of this Giro: “I always want to improve and to get experience. Maybe what I regret the most is the second place in Caorle, but in the end, I can only be satisfied with my first ever Giro d’Italia”. |
The other stage victory in the tally was not just any victory, but the epic Queen stage, with the solo success of Santiago Buitrago. Besides the Columbian climber, the best performance in the mountains was that of Damiano Caruso, Bahrain Victorious road captain, who ended this Giro with a fantastic 4th place in the General Classification, sealed by a terrific uphill time trial on the penultimate stage.
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“I’m satisfied with my Giro and this 4th place. I did my best, and I don’t have any regrets. I could say a stage win would of been a bonus, but as I was well placed in the GC, it was not easy to have the occasion to try and get it. The podium was difficult to achieve, seeing the strong rivals, but I’m more than happy about my result and my performance in this Giro”.
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| (All pictures can be used for editorial and non-commercial usages only and are copyright @Sprintcycling @TeamBahrainVictorious) |
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