Portugal's new climbing sensation should join Bahrain - Victorious after breakthrough Volta a Portugal
Cycling
Afonso Eulálio is leaving the Portuguese peloton and his destination is the top echelon of world cycling. The revelation was made by the ABTF Betão - Feirense rider after winning the 5th stage of the Jornal de Notícias Grand Prix. And there are already reports linking him to Bahrain - Victorious.
According to TopCycling, the 22-year-old will join the likes Pello Bilbao and Lenny Martinez (also a 2025 signing), signing a contract valid for the next two seasons. Another interested team would have been Cofidis, but the Asian outfit got in on the act. Eulálio is managed by A&J All Sports, the same agency that manages dozens of athletes including also the likes of Tadej Pogacar and Jasper Philipsen.
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Afonso Eulálio is having an excellent season. The ABTF Betão - Feirense rider took his second victory of the year in the 5th stage of the Jornal de Notícias Grand Prix, in a two-man sprint with Frederico Figueiredo. This after winning the finish at the top of Montejunto in July for the Troféu Joaquim Agostinho.
"Portugal gave me a lot, I ended up growing up a lot in Portuguese cycling. I've always seen myself as a domestique rider in Portugal. Of course, this year I've improved a lot, and even last year, I'm getting better and better. Of course, I couldn't be a team manager at this level anymore, but I think I'm going to the World Tour and I'm going to be an excellent team rider", admits the 22-year-old cyclist to Jornal de Notícias.
Eulálio really brought in a lot of attention during the Volta ao Portugal where in the extreme heat and high altitude, he attacked the famous Serra da Estrela to make a massive leap in the overall classification. Although he presents himself as a pure climber, he could be a very useful piece for any World Tour team taking into consideration the performances that he has shown this year.
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Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- I live in Maribor.PogiSloFans14-11-2026
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- That's an excellent point. It's interesting that Vader came to that realization only after he learned that his contract wasn't going to be renewed.
santiagobenites14-11-2026 - Indeed! A reluctant gift maybe. Even more reluctant gift from Roglic! Tho I can’t see that Rog would have beaten Ving anyway.Lozza14-11-2026
- That really nasty crash in 2022 Liege must have played a big part - broken ribs, pneumothorax. You only have to look at his points tallies pre and post.Lozza14-11-2026
- Yeah, good luck getting tv and race organisers like ASO etc to part with their cash!Lozza14-11-2026
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- Mmmm would he be making these comments when he was on the richest team when riding. I think not i suspect. If we want money put into the sport we need sponsors who are prepared to put the money in. No disrespect but his team are 2nd or 3rd div in football terms with riders over the hill or 2nd string riders. If i was a sponsor i would be looking at what publicity am i getting back and Tudor really are just making up the numbers really.paultryan200214-11-2026
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- I wouldn't classify it as a gift because the nasty consequences of taking it from Sepp would have been great and would persist and he knew it.flyer14-11-2026
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