VF Group Bardiani-CSF Faizanè is preparing for a double commitment between Croatia and Italy. While part of the team is competing in Malaysia at the Tour de Langkawi, on Tuesday, September 30, the CRO Race will kick off, a race featuring stages suited to sprinters as well as hilly sections that are challenging but not excessively demanding. The race will start in Split, with the general classification expected to be decided mainly in the fourth and fifth stages, before the grand finale in Zagreb, where a bunch sprint is anticipated.

The team has selected six riders well-suited to the course: making his debut as the team’s first stagiaire of the season is Andrea Bruno, born in 2002, winner of several national races with Team Hopplà and originally from Misterbianco (Catania).

He will be joined by Manuele Tarozzi, Alex Tolio, Mattia Stenico, Andrea Montagner, and Santiago Ferraro, under the guidance of sports director Alessandro Donati from the team car. The race will be broadcast live on Eurosport 1 and streamed on Discovery Plus, with the first stage airing live from 2:00 PM.

On the same day, the Ruota d’Oro will also take place, a U23 classic race held in Terranuova Bracciolini (Arezzo). The route, about 173 kilometers long, features a rolling profile with the typical ups and downs of the Valdarno region and demanding climbs such as Cima Monticello, Montemarciano, and the steep ascent of Valcello Cicogna, with the finish line set on Viale Europa. For the occasion, the Italian team will field Lorenzo Conforti, Luca Paletti, Alessandro Pinarello, Matteo Scalco, and Filippo Turconi, led by sports director Luca Amoriello.