Though he didn’t end the Critérium du Dauphiné, Santiago Buitrago retained the arrogance of Bahrain Victorious and has been named group chief for the Tour de France. The 25-year-old Colombian, who positioned tenth general in his debut final yr, will likely be aiming to enhance on that efficiency.
“We begin this 2025 Tour with a number of hopes, really, to be trustworthy, expectations. I’ve been coaching for this yr’s Tour because the finish in Good final yr. I wished to organize myself in one of the simplest ways and be in the perfect situation,” Buitrago stated in a group launch.
“All the things has been going effectively this season – we’ve labored laborious on each side, and we’ve had some good leads to the group, which has given me a whole lot of confidence for the three weeks forward.”
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 yr, the 21-year-old who has been touted as the following nice French GC hope, had a quiet debut on the Tour. This time, using for a brand new group, he’ll tackle a supporting function whereas additionally getting the chance to check himself underneath much less stress.
“I believe it’s good to have a French rider within the group on a Grand tour for the primary time. So we’re wanting ahead to having Lenny there and seeing how he can go. He may also be the suitable added motivation for the blokes within the group, as a result of usually it all the time 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 might deliver surprises.
The newest race content material, interviews, options, critiques and skilled shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
“In comparison with 2024, I believe 2025 is a bit completely different. Elevation sensible, very related, however within the first 9 days, nearly no mountain finishes. After all, there are numerous 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 stress within the bunch,” Kreuzinger stated.
Buitrago agreed, “We start with 10 very difficult days in a row, the place you possibly can’t acquire a lot however if you happen to make a mistake you possibly can say goodbye to the GC.”’
On the flatter phases, the group will look to sprinter Phil Bauhaus, using for a 3rd time who completed high 3 on 4 phases however nonetheless in search of that elusive Grand Tour stage victory.
Buitrago goes into La Grande Boucle to “enhance on my high 10 place from final yr.”
“I’m hoping for the possibility to battle for a stage, however the principal goal is to maneuver greater on GC. Now we have labored so laborious as a group 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 needs 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)
The Tour de France is the most important race in biking, and a Cyclingnews subscription provides you limitless entry to our unrivalled protection. Get all of the breaking information and evaluation from our group on the bottom in France, plus the newest professional tech, stay race reviews, and a day by day subscriber-only e-newsletter with unique perception into the motion. Discover out extra.
