"Super hard, but not so dangerous..."

That's how Afonso Eulalio, with a smile that was more embarrassed than carefree, but above all with that honesty we've come to know during his 9 days in the pink jersey at the Giro d'Italia culminating in the conquest of the white jersey, responded yesterday to Riccardo Magrini's question about the infamous Milan stage and the time neutralization at -16 from the finish. A demanding city circuit, but not excessively dangerous: an admission that drew applause from those present.

The occasion was the official launch of the Casa Bianchi pop-up store at Corso Garibaldi 65 in Milan, just steps away from the historic Rossignoli shop. In front of the Specialissima RC with limited edition Tour de France livery (113 units, like the Tour editions) and among other examples of Bahrain Victorious team bikes (Oltre RC and Aquila RC) as well as the Impulso gravel bike, Bianchi's marketing director Claudio Masnata interviewed the young Portuguese rider alongside a large group of industry professionals and enthusiasts. Then, directly from Eurosport's commentary booths, Magro arrived to interview the 2001-born Lusitanian, even extracting a few words in Italian from him after telling him about Claudio Villa and the song Eulalia Torricelli, and concluding precisely with the question about the Milan stage.

In the next episode of our BlaBlaBike podcast, you'll be able to listen to ten minutes of Claudio Masnata discussing the pop-up store (open daily until July 30th) and Bianchi in general. In the images above in the photo gallery, work of Gabriele De Carolis, you can see the Bahrain Victorious rider, the "Tour edition" Specialissima, an internal and external image of Casa Bianchi. Below, finally, you can read a summary of what Afonso Eulalio said, Milan stage aside, during the evening in Brera. To Masnata, to Magrini, to us face-to-face.

How did you experience this Giro adventure?

"Crazy! Suddenly all the media attention on me, great riders who suddenly rode united for me, people who from stage to stage became familiar with who I was and cheered my name. Entering the mindset of being the captain, giving directions and being more careful to stay safe, rather than attacking and executing team's orders. I understood that, in my second year as a professional, I was doing something extraordinary. Moreover, having an Italian sports director like Franco Pellizotti made me, in a sense, feel that jersey even more. Those jerseys. The white one, compared to the pink, has a different flavor because it's the one I actually won. It's beautiful to see people's reaction when I show it."

What can you tell us about your return home?

"I was literally overwhelmed by my country's affection! Everyone wanted to interview me and talk to me, journalists everywhere. At a certain point I just wanted to go home peacefully and spend time with my family, to whom I gave my Giro jerseys. I did everything to stay away from the spotlight and carve out my own space."

How has this Giro changed your status as a rider and your relationship with the team?

"My career will certainly change thanks to this Giro, but it will be a long-term process. Of course, now Bahrain Victorious and I myself know much better what I can do, I feel I have more confidence in myself and, in equal measure, more responsibility. I'll be called much more often to be the leader. The Giro, however, was an important step within a growth path that we knew had wide margins from the beginning. They're giving me space and time to learn, I'm still doing it and I still have much to learn."

A process to which the Giro gave an acceleration, in short: did you change anything in your preparation?

"I'll surprise you, the change didn't happen after the Giro... but during it! I changed my coach, entrusting myself to Andrea Fusaz. I'd say it brought good luck."

What are your future plans?

"After performing well in the first Grand Tour of 2026, I'm now focusing on the classics, a type of race I particularly love. I'll race at San Sebastian and Vuelta Burgos for Buitrago, I'll participate in the Worlds in Canada and skip the Europeans for an 'Italian' approach to Lombardia, perhaps with Tre Valli Varesine and Giro dell'Emilia. Finally, the Tour of Guanxi. In 2027 I think we'll continue to emphasize the classics, but we'll add some week-long stage races where I'll race as leader. However, I want to clarify that I like the luxury domestique role. Take Lenny Martinez, who believe me is very strong: I find it stimulating to be near him and help him."

Since we're at Bianchi, what's your relationship with their bikes?

"I'm truly impressed by the speed of the Oltre RC, in racing and training, where I've hit 39.2 km/h average with some uphill sections too. A mention for the Aquila RC is also deserved, after that ITTA in Viareggio where it wasn't at all certain I could defend the pink jersey. I'll reveal a dream of mine: to be remembered one day among the riders who raced on Bianchi bikes..."

...and how much do you dream, instead, of your second career victory (the first came two years ago, last stage of the Gran Premio Torres Vedras with the Portuguese Continental team Betao Feirense) which would however be the first in the World Tour and with Bahrain Victorious?

"Thank you for mentioning my success in what is my favorite race in Portugal. As for the next one I can achieve, after coming so close not only at the Giro but also at AlUla, I think it's a matter of hard work and a bit of luck. Keep at it, and eventually it comes."

How do you live with the fact of racing in the era of the Pogacar phenomenon and other champions, as they say today, unbeatable?

"Starting with the awareness that you can't win certain races doesn't make you happy, but we must be able to appreciate the pleasure of racing in the same era as a Pogacar, the stimulus that he, Vingegaard and other champions give us to continue working better, and the satisfaction of showing your worth and competing alongside men like that."

At the Tour de France, Torstein Traeen is doing what you did at the Giro...

"...and what he already did at last year's Vuelta! I believe he can hold it for a long time and then close in the top-10 overall. I'm really happy for him, he's a rider I admire."

The last question isn't about cycling: did you follow Cristiano Ronaldo and company's exploits at the World Cup?

"Certainly, I'm very sorry they went out in the round 16 because it was one of the strongest Portuguese national teams ever. As for CR7, I think he's the greatest player of any era and it's right that he now enjoys life after a stellar career."

Let's say you have a Cristiano Ronaldo on your team: not for results maybe, but for experience...

"Damiano Caruso! For him too, based on what he's decided, the time to enjoy life after a long career is near. The example he transmits to young riders like me is worth so much."