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."