Though he didn’t end the Critérium du Dauphiné, Santiago Buitrago retained the boldness of Bahrain Victorious and has been named workforce chief for the Tour de France. The 25-year-old Colombian, who positioned tenth general in his debut final 12 months, will likely be aiming to enhance on that efficiency.
“We begin this 2025 Tour with plenty of hopes, really, to be trustworthy, expectations. I’ve been coaching for this 12 months’s Tour because the finish in Good final 12 months. I needed to arrange myself in one of the simplest ways and be in the most effective situation,” Buitrago stated in a workforce launch.
“Every part has been going properly this season – we’ve labored laborious on each side, and we’ve had some good ends in the workforce, which has given me a number of confidence for the three weeks forward.”
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Buitrado began off his season with two phases and the general on the Volta Comunitat Valenciana and second at Tour des Alpes-Maritimes in February, earlier than a DNF at Paris-Good, and his abandon on the Dauphiné.
He will likely be supported by Lenny Martinez, second general on the Tour de Romandie and stage 8 winner on the Dauphiné. Final 12 months, the 21-year-old who has been touted as the following nice French GC hope, had a quiet debut on the Tour. This time, driving for a brand new workforce, he’ll tackle a supporting function whereas additionally getting the chance to check himself below much less strain.
“I believe it’s good to have a French rider within the workforce on a Grand tour for the primary time. So we’re trying ahead to having Lenny there and seeing how he can go. He can be the precise added motivation for the fellows within the workforce, as a result of usually it at all times provides one thing further,” stated sports activities director Romain Kreuzinger, who has raced 10 Excursions in his profession.
Each males agreed that the primary 10 days may convey surprises.
“In comparison with 2024, I believe 2025 is a bit completely different. Elevation smart, very comparable, however within the first 9 days, virtually no mountain finishes. After all, there are various punchy finishes that would go well with our riders, but additionally some windy phases and sprints, so it’s going to be a typical begin to the Tour de France, with rigidity within the bunch,” Kreuzinger stated.
Buitrago agreed, “We start with 10 very difficult days in a row, the place you possibly can’t achieve a lot however should you make a mistake you possibly can say goodbye to the GC.”’
On the flatter phases, the workforce will look to sprinter Phil Bauhaus, driving for a 3rd time who completed high 3 on 4 phases however nonetheless on the lookout for that elusive Grand Tour stage victory.
Buitrago goes into La Grande Boucle to “enhance on my high 10 place from final 12 months.”
“I’m hoping for the possibility to battle for a stage, however the principal goal is to maneuver greater on GC. We have now labored so laborious as a workforce to attempt to get within the high 5, and even on the rostrum.”
Kreuziger needs Bahrain Victorious to be lively and opportunistic all through the 12 phases – “I believe our motto ought to be, ‘Let’s be racers and benefit from the race with ambition.’”
Bahrain Victorious for the 2025 Tour de France
Santiago Buitrago (Col)Lenny Martinez (Fra)Phil Bauhaus (Ger)Fred Wright (GBr)Robert Stannard (Aus)Jack Haig (Aus)Matej Mohorič (Slo)Kamil Gradek (Pol)
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