Bahrain Victorious sets Tour de France lineup: Buitrago eyes podium, Bauhaus is sprinter on duty

Buitrago, who finished in the top ten last year, will therefore be aiming for a good GC. "We start this 2025 Tour with lots of hopes, actually, to be honest, expectations. I’ve been training for this year’s Tour since the end in Nice last year. I wanted to prepare myself in the best way and be in the best condition."

The Colombian has not yet had a top season, with withdrawals in Paris-Nice and the Dauphiné. “Everything has been going well this season – we’ve worked hard on every aspect, and we’ve had some good results in the team, which has given me a lot of confidence for the three weeks ahead,” he says.

“It’s a very different route from last year. We begin with 10 very complicated days in a row, where you can’t gain much but if you make a mistake you can say goodbye to the GC. Luckily we have a very complete team to be able to fight and have options,” said Buitrago.

He is referring, among others, to Martinez. “This year we have Lenny in the team. Without a doubt he is going help a lot. He’s a young rider with much much talent, and I believe that the Tour is a great opportunity for him to show the qualities that he has,” says the ambitious Buitrago. “I want to improve on my top 10 position from last year. I hope to have a chance to fight for a stage win, but the main goal is to finish higher in the general classification. We have worked hard as a team to get into the top 5, or even on the podium.”

Sports leader Roman Kreuziger analyzes the course. "For this new Tour de France, I think we have a very nice, balanced team around Santiago with Phil as a clear sprinter, and then some jokers for the stages. Compared to 2024, I think 2025 is a bit different. Elevation wise, very similar, but in the first nine days, almost no mountain finishes. Of course, there are many punchy finishes that could suit our riders, but also some windy stages and sprints, so it’s going to be a typical start to the Tour de France, with tension in the bunch.”

"Of course, many tough finishes could suit our riders well, but there are also some dangerous stages and sprints. So it will be a typical start to the Tour de France, with tension in the peloton. Let’s hope that we come out of that part unscathed," said the former rider from the Czech Republic.

"From stage 10, our tour starts a bit more with the climbers. In the second week we are in the Pyrenees with a spectacular uphill time trial, and 2 mythical finishes. Firstly. Hautacam, and later on Superbagnères. After the second rest day we move up to the coast, but from the coast quickly to the hills and to the famous Mon Ventoux. And from there on, we are in the Alps. It’s a very intense few days up there. We have reconned the stages, so we know what to expect."

The sports director likes to see his team race aggressively. "Of course, with realistic goals, with our feet on the ground to protect Santi, to do a good GC, be fighters. I’m pretty sure there are going to be some chances on the road and we have to try to take them.I think our motto should be, let’s be racers and enjoy the race with ambition."

Fred Wright and Robert Stannard will provide the lead-out for Bauhaus, while Jack Haig will be pushed forward alongside Martinez as Buitrago's main domestique. Matej Mohoric will be the road captain for Bahrain Victorious, which will also be bringing Kamil Gradek along to carry out the challenging tasks.

Lenny Martinez
Santiago Buitrago
Phil Bauhaus
Fred Wright
Jack Haig
Robert Stannard
Matej Mohoric
Kamil Gradek