Pello Bilbao's Grand Tour swan-song and an ambitious general classification goal - Can Bahrain-Victorrious repeat Giro fairytale at Vuelta a Espana?
CyclingWednesday, 19 August 2026 at 10:02
Bahrain-Victorious will be hoping for a repeat of their Giro d'Italia fairytale that saw Afonso Eulalio grab the pink jersey for a period of the race. They've named an exciting Vuelta a Espana line-up fronted by an expereicned general classification and stage challenge, backed by promising young riders.
Santiago Buitrago will aim for the overall as he looks to put disappointment behind him while retiring veteran Bilbao also could feature in GC but has his eye on stage glory to complete the set of wins at all three of cycling's grand tours.
The pair will be assisted by experienced teammates Attila Valter, Mathijs Paasschens and Matevz Govekar while young prospects Roman Ermakov and Jakob Omrzel have been handed big opportunities while Pau Miquel could be one to watch if he rediscovers his 2024 Vuelta form that saw him snatch five top ten finishes, including one third place.
“I’m really motivated to race La Vuelta a España this year," Buitrago said on the team's website. "On a personal level, it has been a slightly complicated season, with a couple of setbacks in the first part of the year, but now I’m very motivated for this Vuelta. I’m coming into it with a lot of ambition, clear objectives and a lot of excitement."
"It’s going to be a very tough Vuelta, with a lot of mountain stages. I think there are only three stages for the sprinters, so that tells you how much climbing and elevation we’re going to face, and hopefully that gives us opportunities to achieve what we want."
Santiago Buitrago
Pello Bilbao notes final Grand Tour goals
For 36-year-old Bilbao, the race comes as a welcome surprise as his plans shifted following his missed meeting with the Tour de France.
Bilbao said: “After these two very busy weeks, here comes my last Vuelta a España. It was an unexpected race on my calendar, but a good opportunity. In the end, not having raced the Tour opened the door for me to do the Vuelta, and I’m really motivated.
"It’s a race I haven’t done in recent years, although I rode it in my first years as a professional, and I really wanted the opportunity to test myself again at home."
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Riding his final Vuelta, Billbao finds motivation in helping his young team and scratching a final itch in his record before he hangs up his cleats.
"For me, in my last Vuelta, it’s also motivating to be part of a young and ambitious team that wants to explore its limits, and I want to contribute all the experience I can. Right now I’m not in a position to fight for the general classification, but I would love to be at the level to fight for a stage victory.
"It’s the only one I’m missing to complete the set of stage wins in all three Grand Tours. I’m not someone who is obsessed with palmarès or numbers, but I like challenges, and that is another challenge for me."
Bahrain-Victorious at La Vuelta
| Riders |
| Santiago Buitragro |
| Pello Bilbao |
| Roman Ermakov |
| Pau Miquel |
| Matevz Govekar |
| Jakob Omrzel |
| Mathijs Paasschens |
| Attila Valter |
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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