Bahrain Victorious confirm signing of Spanish climber currently in the general classification fight at Vuelta a Espana
CyclingTuesday, 08 September 2026 at 14:45
Bahrain Victorious has confirmed in the transfer market the signing of Cristián Rodríguez for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. The 31-year-old Spanish climber will join the Bahraini outfit after a decade in the pro ranks, having proved in recent years that he can deliver in high mountains and Grand Tours.
Rodríguez is currently riding the Vuelta a España 2026 with XDS Astana, where he is shining in 8th overall after a stage Top 3, a 5th, and an 8th so far. He previously rode for TotalEnergies and Caja Rural - Seguros RGA.
There was talk he could be a major addition for Movistar Team, but no discussions were ever held with the telephone-backed squad.
His arrival will allow Bahrain to count on an experienced rider for mountain stages, both in support roles for its leaders and when he has freedom to chase his own results.
Over his career, Cristián Rodríguez has established himself as a dependable stage-race climber. His experience includes numerous starts at the Vuelta a España, Tour de France, and Giro d’Italia, plus strong results across various European stage races.
His 2026 season has underlined that profile. The Spaniard finished second overall at the Tour of Oman, where he also played a key role in teammate Christian Scaroni’s victory. He later placed eighth overall at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Cristián Rodríguez, estrella del ciclismo español en 2026.
Rodriguez stars in Vuelta
He has also shown his level at the current Vuelta a España. Rodríguez was third on stage 14 and fifth on stage 9, while earlier he secured the mountains jersey at the Tour of Qinghai.
His palmarès also includes two overall wins in 2021: the Tour du Rwanda, where he also took a stage, and the Tour de la Mirabelle. In 2022 he finished second at the Ruta del Sol.
The 2025 season brought several notable results as well, with victory at the Mercan’Tour Classic and second at the Andorra Morabanc Classic, before he finished 20th overall at the Tour de France.
One of the aspects Bahrain Victorious valued most is his willingness to work for other riders. The runner-up spot at the Tour of Oman was especially meaningful for Rodríguez due to the support he gave Christian Scaroni throughout that race.
Rod Ellingworth, Bahrain Victorious performance director, highlights exactly that facet of the Spaniard.
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“Cristián brings a lot of experience and quality to our group of climbers. He has raced for many years in the WorldTour and has consistently shown he can perform in the high mountains, both supporting a GC leader and when he has the chance to race for himself.”
“With our ambitions in Grand Tours and stage races, we want to keep strengthening our group of climbers. He gives us another experienced, reliable rider who can support our leaders on the key mountain days, while also offering us an extra option when we target stage wins or GC results in mountainous races.”
“What stands out most is his attitude. He understands the importance of the domestique role in a Grand Tour and takes pride in putting the team first.”
“We’re very happy to have him join us for the next two seasons.”
“I want to help the team’s best riders”
Rodríguez himself expressed his delight with the move and the chance to be part of Bahrain Victorious over the next two seasons.
“I’m hugely grateful for the trust Bahrain Victorious has placed in me and I’m very excited to join the family. I’m proud to bring my work ethic and experience to the team and help them keep meeting their goals.”
The Spanish climber is clear about his mindset when it comes time to pull on the new jersey.
“For me, being part of a team means being willing to do whatever is needed. I want to help the team’s best riders in every way I can, especially in the mountains, and use my experience to support them in the biggest races. At the same time, when opportunities arise, I’ll be ready to take them.”
Rodríguez will thus embark on a new chapter in his career after more than a decade as a professional. His Grand Tour experience, his mountain craft, and his readiness to work for leaders make him a signing tailored to the toughest days.
“I’m very motivated for this new stage and eager to work hard together and contribute to the team’s success,” he concludes.
Jorge BorregueroWriter
Jorge Borreguero is a journalist with a degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and has been a writer for Cyclinguptodate and Ciclismoaldia since early 2023. In this role, he has played a key part in the evolution of the website, particularly as a specialist covering Movistar Team. He regularly writes race reports, analytical pieces, and in-depth features about the team, and has conducted exclusive interviews and attended multiple team presentations, providing readers with firsthand insights into one of the leading professional cycling squads.
Throughout his career, Jorge has maintained a strong focus on sports journalism, gaining experience across a variety of disciplines, including basketball and football. However, his current work is almost entirely dedicated to cycling, contributing extensively to Ciclismoaldia and its sister website Cyclinguptodate. For these platforms, he combines thorough research with detailed reporting to deliver high-quality content, ranging from race previews and results to expert analysis of teams and riders.
Jorge’s reporting is marked by accuracy, depth, and a commitment to providing readers with reliable and authoritative information. His direct engagement with teams, athletes, and events ensures that his coverage reflects firsthand knowledge and professional insight. Through his work, he has established himself as a trusted voice in professional cycling journalism, bridging the gap between the sport and its global audience while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
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- He's 22, another young rider signed for 3 years. Again, where is the impending doom? They have won 5 stages at the Vuelta, 3 by Matthew Brennan, a 21 year old. Their superstar has 2 stages and the points jersey. They will exit the Vuelta with a jersey - as they did at the Giro. 2 out of 3 GTs with a jersey and stage winners in each is a great season, plus monuments, classics, and one week races. While some of the best riders were recovering during various times of the year. I just don't see this team collapsing as much as some seem to wish it was. And this will barely end up a "down year".mij08-09-2026
- Pogi is not racing he crashed out lol🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣paultryan200208-09-2026
- Even Britain did better at leaving than you. You just can’t resist can you. There’s a word for that. Actually, you can choose from a few.Jumpyjohn08-09-2026
- C’mon man, we got your point (even if not everyone agrees) but don’t make yourself look silly by insisting. According to the listing here (which no-one so far has called out for being wrong or incomplete, I’m not going to check), by my calculations we are at 11200CHF after 15 stages, 8 of them had zero, there is only doubt about stages 8 and 11 but it won’t make much difference. How on earth do you think they’ll get to 63k, there aren’t enough commissaires and hours to write fines for every rider?Jumpyjohn08-09-2026
- Sometimes I can still hear Mou's voice on the wind..wrsty08-09-2026
- If he never won another race he'd still be worth his weight in gold to the team as a fan favourite to trot out, so I'm sure they aren't worried about anythingwrsty08-09-2026
- Yes, I guess they will have done that. But Pog having to sign it less than a week after a severe concussion, with initial recovery interrupted by a lengthy operation, the timing seems wrong to me. But that's just my feeling/opinion.Hills3308-09-2026
- They can put a clause into the contract... if Pogi can't race anymore. You can put in contract terms for it's cancellation, exit conditions, or specified notice periods. It's all possible...and everyone signing has to agree.PogiSloFans08-09-2026
- It's interesting he mentioned Lorenzo Finn. It would be absolutely incredible if Finn could follow another 19 year old Italian super talent - Kimi Antonelli - and go on to become World Champion!Cooldude08-09-2026
- In what way? If you mean I didn't put it very well, I'm thinking this was not a great time for UAE to be signing a contract extension with Tadej, with the worst-case possibility that, like Luke Rowe, he may never be able to race again.Hills3308-09-2026
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