Bahrain - Victorious are aiming high for the Giro d'Italia. After a very strong start to the season by some of their leaders, and very promising performances over the month of April, Bahrain is a team that is clearly focused on getting a top-end result in Italy this month and have a team to back up those ambitions.
"We come into this year’s Giro looking for victory in the GC as the primary goal. However, we want to be active throughout this Giro and look for opportunities for potential stage wins in the sprints and breakaways," team DS Gorazd Štangelj said. For contention, the team will have three weapons in Pello Bilbao, Mikel Landa and Wout Poels.
Bilbao particularly, has finished third at UAE Tour, ninth at Tirreno-Adriatico and fifth at Itzulia Basque Country with a stage win. He won a stage and saw Bahrain control almost all of the Tour of the Alps comfortably - until a puncture in the final stage saw him loose the GC against Romain Bardet.
He hasn't undergone specific preparation for the Giro though, opposite of Mikel Landa who has worked for the team in several races so far this year, and has had the eyes on the Giro for the whole time, where he will have a very suiting route. The Basque is a lover to the terrain the Giro usually offers. Wout Poels, winner of the Vuelta a Andalucia, will be another card. The Dutchman doesn't often set his sights on the overall classification, but it is very possible to see that happen if it fits the team's plan.
Santiago Buitrago, winner of the Saudi Tour, is expected to be in a domestique role however he has too shown tremendous climbing ability alongside the best and will be a very valuable piece. Jan Tratnik is in the same position, having shown incredible form in the classics throughout the spring, he can be a crucial teammate in many different scenarios.
Domen Novak will provide further support in the mountains, whilst Jasha S¨utterlin will be valuable in the flat stages. The team is completed by Phil Bauhaus, who isn't expected to be in a domestique role however he might if the team find themselves in the same situation as in the Tour of the Alps. The German sprinter won a stage at Tirreno-Adriatico this year and will no doubt have his sights set on the bunch sprints.
Bahrain - Victorious for Giro d'Italia: Pello Bilbao, Phil Bauhaus, Santiago Buitrago, Mikel Landa, Domen Novak, Wout Poels, Jasha Sütterlin and Jan Tratnik.
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