The Bahrain Victorious family is looking forward to supporting its Development Team at the Giro Next Gen, one of the most prestigious U23 stage races in the world and widely regarded as the “Baby Giro”.

The 49th edition will feature eight stages, covering 1,093 kilometres and 15,150 metres of climbing. The race will mainly take place across southern and central Italy, starting on June 14 in Reggio Calabria and concluding with an individual time trial on June 21 in L’Aquila. Besides the final time trial, the biggest gaps in the general classification are expected on the two mountain-top finishes on Stage 6 (Monte Livata) and Stage 7 (Piana delle Mele).

Bahrain Victorious Development Team arrives at the race as the defending overall winner. In 2025, Jakob Omrzel — now racing with the Bahrain Victorious WorldTour team — claimed the Maglia Rosa on the final stage in Pinerolo to secure overall victory. The team also enjoyed success through Omrzel’s white jersey as best young rider and Seth Dunwoody’s memorable stage victory in Salsomaggiore Terme. Bahrain Victorious was active throughout the race, with Alessandro Borgo, now also part of the WorldTour team, finishing second on Stage 6 in Acqui Terme.

This year, teams will line up with six riders instead of five, adding an extra tactical dimension to the race.

Bahrain Victorious Development Team will start with: Kasper Borremans, Leonardo Consolidani, Seth Dunwoody, Bálint Feldhoffer, Valentin Hofer, Jan Jackowiak.

Sports Director Robert Jenko underlined the importance of the race for the team:

“Ahead of us is one of the most important stage races in the U23 category, alongside the Tour de l’Avenir. The entire first part of the season has been built around this goal, and this year the race takes us to southern Italy.

We have amazing memories from last year: several podium finishes, Seth Dunwoody’s stage victory, and of course Jakob Omrzel’s overall win and Maglia Rosa secured on the final climb of the race. Success was not only achieved on the road; it was also the result of perfect teamwork among the riders and staff, who put the team in the best possible position to perform.

We hope that this year we can repeat, or at least come close to, the achievements of last season.”

Jenko highlighted the team’s climbing strength:

“We once again have three strong climbers for the general classification: Jan Jackowiak, a first-year U23 rider coming from Cannibal Victorious, our junior team; Kasper Borremans, who already raced Giro Next Gen last year and played a key role supporting Jakob Omrzel in the mountains; and Bálint Feldhoffer, the oldest rider in the squad, who delivered solid GC performances last season.

The team is completed by last year’s stage winner Seth Dunwoody, our Italian rider Leonardo Consolidani, and Austrian first-year U23 Valentin Hofer, who recently impressed at his home race, the Oberösterreich Rundfahrt, finishing second on Stage 3.”

Looking ahead to the route, Jenko expects the race to become progressively harder:

“Eight demanding days are ahead of us. Last year the race started with a time trial; this year it finishes with one, and it could once again prove decisive for the overall classification.

The first four stages offer mixed terrain, giving opportunities to both stage hunters and sprinters. The race then becomes increasingly selective, with the GC battle expected to intensify on Stages 5, 6 and 7.

Stage 5 to Bacoli, near Naples, is a very tactical stage and could open up the fight for the overall classification. Stage 6 finishes atop Monte Livata, while Stage 7 is a shorter but extremely demanding stage of 135 kilometres with more than 3,500 metres of climbing, ending at Piana delle Mele.

Ultimately, however, the final general classification could be decided in the concluding time trial in L’Aquila.

We are well prepared and believe we can achieve a successful week of racing.”