'I'm not expecting a good TT' - Odds stacked against maglia rosa Afonso Eulálio in flat, fast Giro d'Italia time trial

Afonso Eulálio finds himself in an unexpected position as he prepares for the stage 10 individual time trial at the Giro d’Italia, where he currently holds the maglia rosa. Originally expecting to play a supporting role for his Bahrain-Victorious teammates, the 24-year-old Portuguese rider has been thrust into the spotlight after a remarkable opening week. Despite his overall lead, Eulálio admits the flat and fast 42km route from Viareggio to Massa is far from ideal for his riding style, describing it as the “worst time trial” for lightweight climbers like himself. The time trial course is characterised by long, straight sections along the Tuscan coast, with little technical complexity or climbing, favouring powerful specialists such as Filippo Ganna and Jonas Vingegaard. Eulálio acknowledges that his time trial abilities rank low on this particular terrain and expects stiff competition from riders like Vingegaard, who sits just 2 minutes 24 seconds behind him in the general classification. He remains determined to defend his lead but is realistic about the challenge posed by the flat course and the strong riders targeting the pink jersey. Reflecting on the first week of racing, Eulálio highlights the physical and mental demands he has faced, including a dramatic breakaway on stage 5 and tough mountain finishes at Blockhaus and Corno alle Scale. These efforts have tested his endurance and resilience, but he feels he has recovered well and is ready to give his all in the time trial. Despite his modest expectations for the stage, he remains motivated by the confidence that wearing the maglia rosa has given him and is hopeful of maintaining a strong overall position through the remaining two weeks. Looking ahead, Eulálio is aware that the Giro’s mountainous terrain and multiple summit finishes will continue to shape the race dynamics, and he is focused on working with his team to defend his lead as long as possible. While he does not expect to excel in the time trial, his performance so far has already exceeded initial expectations, signalling his potential as a future Grand Tour contender. The coming stages will be crucial not only for his own ambitions but also for the wider battle for the pink jersey, with riders like Vingegaard poised to capitalise on any weaknesses.