CYCLING – Team Bahrain Victorious are set for back-to-back historic races in Tuscany as the September Italian calendar continues with the 98th Giro della Toscana-Memorial Alfredo Martini today followed by the 74th Gran Premio Citta di Peccioli-Coppa Sabatini tomorrow.
The kingdom’s squad are returning to both events for the first time since 2021, with a strong line-up that was already in action last Sunday at the GP Industria and Artigianato in Larciano.
There will be two changes to the roster across the two races. Matej Mohoric will join the team today replacing Balint Feldhoffer, while Feldhoffer will return for tomorrow’s Coppa Sabatini replacing Kamil Gradek.
Both rides 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 sports director Roman Kreuziger expects the team to continue to be competitive in this Italian block.
“I think we have a nice roster here,” he said. “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.
“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 16km 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 begins 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.
“The Coppa Sabatini is a slightly different race, with different circuits throughout the day,” explained Kreuziger.
“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 but I think we have a nice balance 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.”
“We want to make our colours proud. It’s nice to see the guys fighting and performing in La 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.”
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