UPDATE: Freak accident forces Bahrain - Victorious into last-minute Vuelta lineup change as Damiano Caruso fractures hand

Bahrain - Victorious have confirmed a well-balanced squad for the 2025 Vuelta a Espana, with Italian climber Antonio Tiberi spearheading the team’s general classification ambitions in what promises to be one of the most mountainous editions in recent memory.

The 80th edition of the Vuelta covers 3,151 kilometres between Turin and Madrid, with nearly 55,000 metres of climbing packed into 21 stages. With only four flat days and 10 summit finishes, the race is once again a climber’s Grand Tour — featuring iconic ascents such as the Angliru and the Bola del Mundo.

For 24-year-old Tiberi, this will be his fourth Vuelta appearance and an important chance to establish himself as one of the GC leaders of his generation. Last year he was forced to abandon while wearing the white jersey of best young rider and sitting inside the top 10 overall. This time, the Italian has set his sights higher.

“I will have the same aim as at the Giro d’Italia: to target the final podium,” said Tiberi in a team press release. “The whole team believes in me, and that gives me a lot of confidence. I also trust my teammates, with whom I’ve worked very well in preparation for this race. The course suits me better this time, with longer climbs instead of the short, steep ones of the past. If I feel good on a mountain stage, I’ll be ready to attack.”

Tiberi has also highlighted the decisive late time trial in Valladolid as a stage that could play to his strengths: “It’s fast, long, and similar to 2023. By the final week everyone will be tired, and I’ll try to use that to my advantage.”

Bahrain arrive with one of the deepest climbing lineups in the race. Colombian Santiago Buitrago, who finished eighth on the Angliru in 2023, returns to a parcours that perfectly suits his abilities. “It’s the hardest climb I’ve ever done,” Buitrago admitted. “This year I’d like to do even better, and winning on a climb like Angliru or Bola del Mundo would be unforgettable.”

Veterans Damiano Caruso and Jack Haig bring leadership and experience, while Norwegian climber Torstein Træen adds momentum after an impressive ride at the Vuelta a Burgos. Together, they provide Tiberi with a strong support system in the mountains and options for stage hunting if opportunities arise.

Although this year’s route offers few sprint finishes, Bahrain have selected Nicolò Buratti to test himself in the fast finales. The Italian is making his Vuelta debut, while Mathijs Paasschens and Roman Ermakov will add horsepower for the flatter days and look for opportunities from breakaways.

“This is a balanced squad to fight on all terrains,” said lead sports director Franco Pellizotti. “Our priority is the GC with Tiberi, but riders like Buitrago and Haig will have chances in the mountains, while Buratti and the debutants will play their roles in the sprints and breakaways.”

Bahrain – Victorious face a late reshuffle to their Vuelta a Espana roster as Damiano Caruso will miss the start of Stage 1 in Turin after fracturing his right hand in a slip on Thursday evening. The 37-year-old, a proven Grand Tour contender and key domestique, will be replaced by 22-year-old Finlay Pickering, who makes his Grand Tour debut. Pickering, known for his climbing prowess, steps into a challenging role in support of the team’s GC ambitions.

Antonio Tiberi
Santiago Buitrago
Damiano Caruso Finlay Pickering
Jack Haig
Torstein Traeen
Nicolò Buratti
Mathijs Paasschens
Roman Ermakov