Bahrain Victorious Development Team achieved the most significant victory of their existence on Sunday, as Jakob Omrzel won the most prestigious stage race in the U23 category, the Giro Next Gen.

The team had a wonderful week in Italy. Omrzel not only took the Maglia Rosa but also the young rider’s jersey and two stage podiums. Alessandro Borgo’s 2nd place on stage 6 and Seth Dunwoody’s stage 4 win proved that the team was stage hunting every day as well as aiming high on GC.

Sports director Alessio Mattiussi reflected on what has been an unquestionably successful eight days: “We started the race with the dual objectives of a stage win and top 5 overall with Omrzel. The race went even better than we expected with the Maglia Rosa, Young Rider’s jersey, a stage win, and three more stage podiums. The team worked well as a group, not just as riders but friends too, and the results showed it. I would also like to thank all the staff that helped during the race to make sure that the riders had everything they needed and could just focus on racing.”

Jakob Omrzel was delighted with how he performed throughout the race: “9 months ago I was at my lowest (after crashing at the Giro della Lunigiana), but I never stopped believing in a comeback to achieve the best goals. Giro Next Gen has been a goal since I started cycling again after the crash. We did a good preparation with the team in altitude, and racing at the Tour of Slovenia with the World Tour team gave me a lot of confidence and new knowledge. They gave me another perspective on cycling. 

You need to be a complete rider to win the Giro Next Gen and I think I showed I am. I still can’t believe that I won and I’ll need some days to let it sink in.

The team had confidence in me and helped so much. I can’t thank the riders, staff, people helping me from home, my family and my friends enough, because I would not be here without them.

Next some rest to recharge and then focus on Tour de l’Avenir and World Championships.”

Photo credits LaPresse