Bilbao has for many years been a Grand Tour specialist, frequently coming out with his best performances in the third week. Over the last few years he's had his tilts at GC, the most successful being his most recent one at the 2022 Giro d'Italia where he finished fifth. However, at 32 years of age, Bilbao is not looking to fight for a place in the Top10 but instead a maiden Tour de France win.
"I also think you should have the ambition to finish on the podium. There is no point in sacrificing an entire team for fifth place in the standings. I prefer to chase stage victories. Wearing the yellow jersey would also be nice," he tells. Although all could be combined,
Bahrain - Victorious' GC ambitions should fall on Mikel Landa - both having a Grand Depart in the Basque Country, their home region.
“When I joined the team, there was real belief that Mikel could win the Tour. Now the situation has changed a bit and I have been given a more important role. At times I work, without any problems, for Mikel, but in other races we are on an equal footing or I can count on his support," Bilbao concluded.
High in the UCI rankings, consistent and in great form, Bilbao has opened his season with third at the Tour Down Under and fourth at the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana - taking a win in the previous. He will continue to hunt wins during the spring in the one-day races and stage-races, the UAE Tour and Itzulia Basque Country being big goals.