"He’s a clear podium contender" - Alberto Contador ranks Giro revelation quite high as 'the maglia rosa is giving him wings'

Afonso Eulálio continues to be the big revelation at the Giro d’Italia, and the Portuguese rider’s performance is starting to draw praise from several figures in the international peloton. After finishing fifth on stage nine, a result that allowed him to reach the rest day in the overall lead, the Bahrain Victorious rider was highlighted by Alberto Contador, winner of the Italian race in 2008 and 2015.

Now a Eurosport commentator, the former Spanish cyclist was impressed by the rider from Figueira da Foz and by how he responded to some of the main contenders for the overall. Eulálio kept his pace after Felix Gall attacked and Jonas Vingegaard followed, moved up group by group, and finished alone in 5th place, just behind Vingegaard, Gall, Piganzoli, and Arensman.

With this ride, in which he improved by comparison to his ascent to Blockhaus - potentially better suited to his abilities - he even managed to gain time on several of his main rivals. Giulio Pellizzari was an obvious case after a bad day, but he has done so for several other riders.

“The maglia rosa is giving him wings. And I’m not saying he ‘just’ held on to the lead; I’m saying he was fifth and finished ahead of Derek Gee, Jai Hindley, Ben O’Connor… who are podium contenders. He put time into them,” analyzed Contador.

The Spaniard also highlighted Eulálio’s ability in the decisive part of the stage, underscoring the confidence with which the Portuguese rider is racing at this point in the event.

“They couldn’t follow him in the final kilometer. We’re talking about a rider with sky-high morale. We don’t know where he’ll stop, but he’s a clear podium contender,” he added.

As for the stages ahead, there’s a flat 42 kilometers time trial next, which doesn’t suit him, but as 'El Pistolero' says, the pink jersey gives him wings, and although it will be very difficult to defend it from Jonas Vingegaard for another day.