SANTIAGO Buitrago leads the Bahrain Victorious line-up to Vuelta a Burgos, where he clinched victory in the opening stage last year. Following his impressive stage win at the Giro d’Italia back in May, the Colombian rider will be looking to get on the podium and fight for another stage win.
Backing Buitrago is the experienced Damiano Caruso, who also looks to get into shape ahead of the final Grand Tour of the season while looking for opportunities to take a stage win. The line-up also features Kamil Gradek, Rainer Kepplinger, Jasha Sutterlin, Edoardo Zambanini, and Hermann Pernsteiner, who will provide integral support for Buitrago. The five-stage race, set to take place from tomorrow to Saturday, is a crucial stepping stone to the Vuelta España, and with a Team Time Trial (TTT) on stage 2, it gives the team a chance to fine-tune the technical approach for the TTT that opens the final Grand Tour in Barcelona on August 26.
Neil Stephens, Team Bahrain Victorious’ sports director, emphasised the importance of Vuelta Burgos in the team’s season preparations. “We’re heading to Burgos with a clear goal: preparing for the Vuelta España. Buitrago, last year’s stage 1 winner and a consistent performer in Burgos, leads us as we aim for the podium. Caruso, a dependable support, will finetune for the Vuelta España while playing a key role as road captain.
“With two stage wins last year, we’re set on replicating that success. This race is important to us and as preparations for the Vuelta España. “The TTT on Stage 2 here has a different dynamic to the one at Vuelta España, but with half our Vuelta team in Burgos, it’s a chance to refine our technical approach, preparing us for a strong start in Barcelona.”
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