09/02/2023

"There is no point in sacrificing an entire team for fifth place" - Pello Bilbao admits that stage wins will be his Tour de France objective

The overall classification of the Grand Tours is frequently the big goal for most of the climbers in the peloton, but as new generations and incredible talents emerge, some of the veterans change their mindset. Pello Bilbao is one of them, who will be riding for stage wins at the Tour de France instead of contesting for the GC.

“I am not going for a good classification in the Tour this year. I've already tried that once," Bilbao said in an interview with the Escapa Podcast. He attempted it in 2021 with Bahrain, which he recalls: “I couldn't count on the team's full support at the time, as we had multiple goals. We then won three stages and also the team classification. I was given the freedom to do my thing and ended up ninth. It only takes a lot of energy and it is a difficult task."

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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.

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“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.