Pello Bilbao inspired by Wout van Aert's diversity: "He wins sprints, mountain stages, time trials and cyclocross races"

Pello Bilbao has large years in the pro peloton already and has shown his qualities as a climber, Grand Tour rider, sprinter and a super descender. He takes inspiration from the versatility of Wout van Aert, and hopes to change roles often throughout the 2024 season.

"I want to discover where my limit lies. I would like to keep growing and try something different. With the 2023 level I can achieve great goals. The margin for further steps is small, we are aware of that," the Basque shared in words to Marca. "The ceiling is close, but there is always something to be gained in the light of experience and expertise. We will often aim for the classifications, although we don't necessarily have a man for the Grand Tours. In 2023 (at the Tour de France, ed.) we won three stages, which might be better than third place on the final podium."

The 33-year old continues to evolve throughout his career, and perhaps has had the best performance of his career at the 2023 Tour, where he won a stage and from a breakaway and finished sixth in the overall classification. He has in the past said that he wants to turn his consistency into big wins, and into the upcoming year that may very well be part of his plans. "I would like to win a one-week stage race, or for example the Clasica San Sebastián," he tells. "I have often competed for the top places and have always been close. But at the same time, those victories are still so far away."

With the departure of Mikel Landa from Bahrain - Victorious Bilbao takes up a bigger leading role in the team, but he believes he is best suited by changing from leader, to stage hunter, and domestique throughout the season, such as a rider he looks up to. "Personally, I am most impressed by Wout van Aert. He is so complete and can ride as a leader or as a domestique. He wins sprints, mountain stages, time trials and cyclocross races. He is a good reference for our sport."