Native duo Mikel Landa and Pello Bilbao lead Bahrain Victorious at Itzulia Basque Country: "Racing at home always motivates me"

Runner-up in 2018, Mikel Landa and 5th placed finisher last year Pello Bilbao will return to the Itzulia Basque Country, hoping to lead Bahrain Victorious to success although they realises it won't be an easy task given the quality of competition in the race.

“I’d say, Itzulia is the most special race of all the season. It’s my home race. I always diligently prepared for this race, checking all the stages I didn’t know," Bilbao tells his team's official website. "I believe it’s an interesting plan for the race, and I guess a few seconds’ gaps will decide it; the bonus seconds at sprints can also be decisive. The race will be open until the last stage. I think it will be a great opportunity for us, especially for riders who know the course well because of some tricky stages."

Landa and Bilbao are both Basque natives and as such are always greeted by a welcoming crowd. “Looking at the route, it’s not a course that suits me, but racing at home always motivates me," Landa agrees. "Knowing the roads in such a race, it’s always an advantage, and I’m in good shape.”

Supporting the Basque duo will be the likes of the Austrian pair of Rainer Kepplinger and Hermann Pernsteiner alongside Yukiya Arashiro, Edoardo Zambanini and Jasha Sütterlin.

Bahrain - Victorious for Itzulia Basque Country:

Yukiya Arashiro, Pello Bilbao, Rainer Kepplinger, Mikel Landa, Hermann Pernsteiner, Jasha Sütterlin and Edoardo Zambanini