Bahrain duo keep the engine running with brilliant teamwork in Italy

Santiago Buitrago powered to Bahrain Victorious’ second victory of the season in north-west Italy. The 26-year-old Colombian did not really get going at the Tour Down Under, but back in Europe he looks ready for the Italian spring. His move on the final climb — the one that split things between Tiberi and Romain Grégoire (Groupama–FDJ) — was seriously impressive.

“I’m really happy to take my first win already so early in the season,” Buitrago said after Trofeo Laigueglia, which — strangely — was not broadcast live on TV or online. “I lived in Laigueglia in 2019, so that makes this victory extra special. We raced well as a team, very intelligently. It’s great to also have Antonio on the podium.”

Tiberi and Buitrago decided to attack on the final climb to take some sting out of Grégoire’s legs. “We knew he’s fast in a sprint,” Buitrago explained, with the Colombian also hoping to deliver at Tirreno-Adriatico. The Italian stage race begins on Monday 9 March, two days after Strade Bianche — and neither Tiberi nor Buitrago will race in Tuscany on Saturday.

The duo will again be able to play two cards at Tirreno. “We didn’t decide in advance who was allowed to win, because we had two leaders,” said sports director Gorazd Štangelj. “The riders communicated well between themselves and executed the plan perfectly.”

For Grégoire, it was a frustrating outcome. The 23-year-old Frenchman could not match the two Bahrain Victorious riders, even if he did win the sprint against Tiberi for second place. It continues a very consistent start to the year: Grégoire already finished fifth at Ruta del Sol and won the Faun Drôme Classic during Opening Weekend.