The Giro d'Italia has a new leader - Bahrain knew of his quality beforehand, and has reportedly already agreed on a contract extension

The 2026 Giro d'Italia has had a dramatic few first days, with four different race leaders in five race days. The latest is Afonso Eulálio, who profited from a successful breakaway on the fifth day of racing. Publicly, the Portuguese climber is on contract year, but behind the scenes there is a strong argument that Bahrain - Victorious has already renewed his contract for two more seasons.

On the ground at the Corsa Rosa, journalist Daniel Benson has reported this Wednesday afternoon that Eulálio has agreed on a contract extension for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. This would've been agreed before the start of the Corsa Rosa, right before a breakthrough performance that has put him in the center of the cycling world this week.

Eulálio is currently leading the Giro d'Italia as it heads into stage 6, and is expected to keep the maglia rosa at least into the climb to Blockhaus on stage 7. Depending on his health status, as the Portuguese crashed in the finale of this Wednesday's stage, he could end up keeping it into the second week of the race.

The growth of the Portuguese rider has been notable over the past few years. He is one of the few riders from the small Iberian nation to make his way into the World Tour directly from the country's vast domestic scene. He has done so at age 23, aided by A&J All Sports - the same agency that has riders such as Tadej Pogacar and Isaac del Toro under their belt. Eulálio is managed by former World Tour pro Beñat Intxausti, who created a bridge between him and the Bahraini team in late 2024.

Eulálio did not take long to impress in a whole different level of competition, finishing 15th at his World Tour debut at the Tour Down under. 12 months ago he impressed by crossing the Passo del Mortirolo first at the 2025 Giro, revealing to the world his abilities as a pure climber on one of the Giro's most difficult stages. His level would only increase as the year moved on however; with a sixth place at the Tour of Britain and most notably a Top10 in the brutal Rwanda World Championships making for a set of performances that confirmed his talent fully.

Eulálio was fifth at the AlUla Tour but was largely absent from the spotlight throughout the spring, riding to a Top10 on the queen stage of the Volta a Catalunya, but racing in a domestique role for Bahrain. At the Giro d'Italia, his role would be no different; but Santiago Buitrago's withdrawal from the race after the stage 2 crash has seen him transition into a free role.

Eulálio has taken advantage of that role and his strong form to join the breakaway on stage 5, using his climbing ability first to make it to the front group; and then to drop all of his rivals except for Igor Arrieta who had attacked previously.

With Damiano Caruso and Pello Bilbao retiring at the end of the season; and Santiago Buitrago likely to leave - Movistar being a potential destination for the Colombian; Eulálio can gain a firm foothold as a team leader. This will largely depend on his performance throughout the coming weeks at the Corsa Rosa, where he will be further testing himself as a climber and potential Grand Tour contender.