The September Italian calendar continues with two historic races in Tuscany: the 98th Giro della Toscana – Memorial Alfredo Martini on Wednesday, September 9, followed by the 74th Gran Premio Città di Peccioli – Coppa Sabatini (UCI 1.Pro) on Thursday, September 10.

Bahrain Victorious will return to both races for the first time since 2021, with a strong lineup that was already in action on Sunday at the GP Industria & Artigianato in Larciano.

There will be two changes to the lineup across the two races. Matej Mohorič will join the team, replacing Bálint Feldhoffer, while Feldhoffer will return for the Coppa Sabatini, replacing Kamil Gradek.

Both races feature well-known Tuscan terrain, with Monte Serra representing the key challenge in the Giro della Toscana, while the Coppa Sabatini is characterised by its punchy circuits and repeated passages in the finale through the finish in Peccioli.

Bahrain Victorious has enjoyed several podium finishes in both races. At the Coppa Sabatini, Sonny Colbrelli finished second in 2021, his fourth podium with the team after winning the race in 2014 and 2016. The Giro della Toscana has also brought podium for the team, with Giovanni Visconti finishing second in 2017 and fourth the following year, when Domenico Pozzovivo took third.

The Giro della Toscana – Memorial Alfredo Martini covers 189.4 kilometres, starting and finishing in Pontedera. The opening 81.2 kilometres form an initial point-to-point section, including three short laps featuring the Peccioli ramp that the peloton will face again the following day in the Coppa Sabatini.

The second part of the race enters a 54.1-kilometre circuit around Monte Serra, which will be tackled twice. The key climb is around eight kilometres long and is usually the decisive moment of the race. After the final ascent, the riders face a long descent before the final 16 kilometres on flatter roads towards Pontedera, offering the opportunity for chasing groups to close the gap.

Sports Director Roman Kreuziger expects the team to continue to be competitive in this Italian block.

“I think we have a nice roster here for these Italian races. Antonio Tiberi showed in Larciano that he is already race-ready. He is in good shape and knows the Tuscan roads pretty well.

“Starting with the Giro della Toscana, the famous Monte Serra is the crucial part of the race. It’s a very tough climb from this side, but I would say it is a little better for descending, with a slightly wider road, although there are some narrow sections. It is definitely a better side for climbing and then descending towards Buti.

“Regarding the contenders, we know that Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe is coming with a very strong team, so they will probably have a lot of control over the race.

“We have Antonio, who showed that he is ready. He can focus on the main guys in the peloton, while with our other climbers we can race aggressively and try to avoid problems, so that we still have numbers later in the race.

“It’s the second race of this block, so I think we should be confident. I still believe that a top-five result is a realistic goal. If the race doesn’t come back together in the final 16 kilometres on the flat roads to Pontedera, then I think we have a really good chance of achieving it.”

The following day, the riders will line up at the GP Peccioli – Coppa Sabatini, which retains its traditional characteristics, beginning with an initial point-to-point section through the roads of Valdera. After this opening phase, which ends with the return to Peccioli, the riders enter an initial 24.8-kilometre hilly circuit to be completed five times before passing through the start area again.

The final 12.2-kilometre circuit then begins, with two laps leading to the third and final passage over the finish line in Peccioli. The finish comes at the top of a short, steep climb, tackled for the final time after 197.6 kilometres and 2,742 metres of elevation gain.

Kreuziger believes the Coppa Sabatini will offer a different challenge, with its consistently rolling terrain and demanding finale.

“On Thursday we will ride the Coppa Sabatini. It’s a slightly different race, with different circuits throughout the day. It’s a bit more lumpy from the start, with up and down all day. It’s a well-known course that we have raced in the past and it hasn’t really changed.

“The roster will change a little because Kamil Gradek will take a rest for Sabatini and Bálint Feldhoffer will come in for him. Again, I think we have a nice balance in the roster for these races. I expect that Lenny Martinez will already feel better on Thursday, and the course suits him well. Of course, in September you also have to be ready for the possibility that some breakaways can get quite far.

“Again, the goal of a top-five finish is very realistic.

“It’s really good to see that the guys have come to these races, they are happy to be here and willing to suffer and fight for the glory. The harmony between them is really nice to see, and I think they will show that on the road.

“We want to make our colours proud. It’s nice to see the guys fighting and performing in the Vuelta, and that is also a big boost for the guys here at the other races and at home. They will be motivated to show what they can do.”