CYCLING – BAHRAIN Victorious head to Italy to begin their traditional Italian racing block, which includes Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, and culminates with Milano-Sanremo.
The 2026 Italian campaign will be inaugurated by the Trofeo Laigueglia (1.Pro) tomorrow, marking the team’s return to the race for the first time since their only previous participation in 2021.
Now in its 63rd edition, the one-day race blends tradition with innovation. The 192km course will feature a new start in Albenga before finishing, as per tradition, in Laigueglia.
Among the novelties are the inclusion of the iconic Cipressa climb and a 12.6 km stretch along the Cycling Riviera – Ciclovia Riviera dei Fiori.
As always, however, the decisive phase is expected to come in the final circuit, where riders will tackle the Colla Micheri climb multiple times before the finish on Corso Badarò, which returns to the route after several years.
With strong leaders at the start, Bahrain Victorious aim high, targeting a top-three result and ideally placing two riders in the top ten. Leaders Antonio Tiberi and Santiago Buitrago will look to inscribe their names on the iconic ‘muretto’ in Laigueglia – the celebrated wall honouring the race winners.
Sports director Gorazd Stangelj said: “We’re happy to return to racing on the roads of Liguria. We have two strong leaders in Antonio Tiberi, who started the season very well, showing excellent condition and delivering a strong performance in the UAE, and Santiago Buitrago, who returns to competition after racing in Australia and the Colombian National Championships.
The rest of the team will focus on supporting them with one clear mission: to protect our leaders and bring them safely to the final circuit. Despite some changes to the course, the race should explode in the closing phase, where the key climb will be repeated three times. We know that to win Laigueglia, you either need a strong solo move or the speed to win from a reduced group.”
Apart from Tiberi and Buitrago, all other Bahrain Victorious riders will be racing Trofeo Laigueglia for their first time. Several arrive in good form following a strong weekend of racing in France, where Roman Ermakov, Rainer Kepplinger and young Development Team rider Kasper Borremans competed on both days, while Oliver Stockwell replaced Jakob Omrzel in Sunday’s race.
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