"Starting the season with such a result is incredible" - Santiago Buitrago and Bahrain Victorious put UAE Team Emirates – XRG to the sword

Santiago Buitrago secured the biggest stage race victory of his career, winning the general classification at the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana. The Colombian’s triumph in the five-day race was largely built on his impressive stage 4 win, where he outpaced Joao Almeida in a decisive battle for victory.

Buitrago finished 18 seconds ahead of Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) in the overall standings, while his Bahrain Victorious teammate Pello Bilbao completed the podium, taking third place at 39 seconds behind.

It was a highly successful race for Bahrain Victorious, who wrapped up the event with two stage wins, two second-place finishes, the points classification—defended by Buitrago—and the best team classification, capping off a dominant performance.

“It’s a fantastic feeling. I was already super happy after yesterday’s result and to wear the leader’s jersey this morning, but you never know until the very end,” Buitrago said in a team press release. “I have to give a huge thank you to my teammates. Today could have been tricky, but they worked exceptionally well to keep everything under control. I share this GC victory with them. Starting the season with such a result is incredible.”

At just 25 years old, Buitrago has already established himself as a strong climber, with two Giro d’Italia stage wins to his name—the most recent coming in 2024. His victory in Valencia marks one of the standout moments of his career so far, raising the question of what more 2025 could have in store for him.

Bahrain Victorious’ Sports Director, Roman Kreuziger, praised the team’s performance, reflecting on their success over the five days. “We couldn’t have asked for more. We set out to win a stage and took two. We aimed for a top-three GC finish, and we secured two spots on the podium—including the overall victory. Plus, we won the team classification. It’s something to be very proud of.”

Kreuziger highlighted the team’s discipline and execution throughout the race. “We had to stay alert, but the team executed the plan perfectly, just as they did throughout the week,” he added. “The riders showed great form, and this victory is crucial for building confidence ahead of the next races. We’ll stay grounded, but with this group, we know we can achieve even more.”

With such a strong start to the season, Bahrain Victorious and Buitrago will certainly be looking to build on this momentum as the year progresses.