Santiago Buitrago has had a breakthrough season with Bahrain - Victorious in 2022 and has become one of the leading figures with in the climber-rich squad. The Colombian is currently planning his 2023 season, but looks back on a successful year.
"This 2022 was my best year so far, my third year in Bahrain and being able to achieve what I achieved was very gratifying both for me and for the team that has trusted me," Buitrago told Caracol Radio. With Mikel Landa and Pello Bilbao finished third and fifth at the Giro Buitrago had a supporting role, but has nevetheless finished 12th in the GC and thrived in the latter part of the race.
The Colombian won stage 17 from a breakaway on a highly mountainous stage. He has however also taken wins at the Saudi Tour and Vuelta a Burgos, both in explosive finales where it has become clear that he can perform in, besides the high mountains.
“Having achieved that stage in the Giro d'Italia has changed my life, it is knowing that I have the chance to write my name on such a short list. It is a privilege to win a stage in my first Giro, it is something still hard to believe," he said in the interview. His debut in the Corsa Rosa proved successful, and he's looking towards further success in 2023.
With Landa and Bilbao eyeing the Tour next season due to it's start in the Basque Country and the mountainous route, it could very much be the main goal of the year for Buitrago. However, the Giro and Vuelta routes remain high possibilities depending on the team's ambitions. Jack Haig and Gino Mäder are heading to the Giro, whilst Damiano Caruso is also yet to decide.
“I have been talking about it with my coach because the Tour has a very nice route, unlike the Giro, which has three time trials. I don't know if this year I'll do the Tour or the Giro, but without a doubt the Tour is my favorite race, it's the biggest in cycling," he concluded.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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