Bahrain Victorious is set for its October block of racing in Italy, with an intense week of competition beginning this Saturday, October 3, with the Giro dell’Emilia and concluding with Il Lombardia.

The 109th edition of one of the oldest and most iconic races on the Italian and international cycling calendar will once again bring together some of the world’s best climbers. The race, which boasts a roll of honour featuring many of cycling’s greatest champions, will have a prestigious new start location this year, with the peloton setting off from the historic centre of Ferrara in front of the beautiful Castello Estense.

The riders will face a 197.9-kilometre route, including two full laps of an 11.3-kilometre city circuit, followed by an almost flat section before entering the long Apennine section. The race will then reach its traditional and spectacular finale in Bologna, in front of the Basilica of San Luca, one of the most iconic finishes in international cycling.

As usual, the riders will pass through the Meloncello arch with 39 kilometres remaining. From there, they will tackle the first ascent of San Luca followed by four full laps of the classic 9.2-kilometre circuit. The decisive selection is expected to come on the brutal 20% gradients of the Curva delle Orfanelle and the following straight, where the strongest climbers will fight for victory.

Bahrain Victorious will aim to return to the podium with Lenny Martinez, who finished third in last year’s edition.

Gorazd Stangelj, Head Sports Director:

“It’s a very iconic race. I remember it from the past, and for me, it is a race that has made history. Riders who were champions 20 or 30 years ago won here, and that makes it really important.

“It’s a race that I like, and it is always nice to win it. Pogacar won it wearing the rainbow jersey he had just conquered, Roglič has won it three times, and many other champions have also taken victory here.

“The race itself is not really complicated because, at the end, you just need to be the strongest on the climb. But before that, you need to be protected and positioned well, and I think we have a good team to do this and protect our leader, Lenny.

“For Pello, it is one of the last races of his career, and he is very motivated. The same goes for Damiano; both of them are really keen to race these days.

“Then we have a few young guys, like Max, Alessandro and Oliver, who will do the job until we reach the circuit and protect our leader. Once we enter the circuit, it will be time to finish the job, with Afonso, Pello and Lenny expected to be the strongest riders from our team.

“Positioning at the critical points will be important, as will continuing to fight through the first two laps, which are always the hardest.

“We have Lenny as our leader, while Pello and Afonso can cover the early moves on the circuit. With this, I think we are fine. I like to look at the statistics, and most of the time the race has been won in the last few kilometres, apart from the 2024 edition when Pogacar attacked much earlier, on the first lap.

“The more traditional scenario is a late attack on San Luca. The strongest climbers reduce the group repeatedly, and the race is finally decided in the last few kilometres, where hopefully we will be there fighting for the podium.”