CYCLING – Team Bahrain Victorious are ready to take on the first stage-race in preparation for the international cycling season’s next grand tour: the Tour de France.
Following a hugely successful Giro d’Italia, another group of Bahrain Victorious riders will be taking on the newly named Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes in France, formerly known as the Criterium du Dauphine.
Aside from its new identity, which pays tribute to the host region and its ongoing commitment to the event, the race remains faithful to its traditional formula. Now in its 78th edition, it will feature eight stages from today to next Sunday across a predominantly mountainous and hilly route.
Covering approximately 1,200 kilometres from Vizille to Plateau de Solaison, the race offers opportunities for breakaway specialists and climbers targeting the overall classification, but sprinters can also shine.
The opening stage and the final three stages will be demanding mountain tests, while the remaining four stages include a team time trial and three hilly stages, only one of which is potentially suited to the pure sprinters.
“This year’s route is highly demanding, but we will take advantage of our riders’ different strengths to target results on several stages,” said Bahrain Victorious sports director Michal Golas.
“We want to approach this race as if every day were a one-day race. Almost every rider in our line-up will have an opportunity to go for a result on the stage that suits them best.
“Matej Mohoric will certainly be one of them. Phil Bauhaus will be our main option in a bunch sprint, while Matevz Govekar could be a strong contender if the sprint comes from a reduced group. And why not, our young Vlad van Mechelen if a breakaway makes it all the way to the finish.”
“When it comes to the mountain stages and summit finishes, our man will be Santiago Buitrago. However, he is returning to racing after crashing out of the Giro d’Italia. Although his injuries were not serious, he had to rest for a couple of weeks. We’ll see how the first few days go and how he feels toward the end of the week.”
“We will also keep an eye on the general classification (GC), especially during the final weekend when the overall standings will be decided. With the reliability of our road captain Nikias Arndt, I’m confident the boys will work well throughout the week to support Pello Bilbao, who will be vigilant in avoiding any time losses in the GC.”
Like Mohoric and van Mechelen, Bilbao will also pin on a race number for the first time in more than a month.
The Basque rider completed his first racing block of the season with an excellent spring campaign, highlighted by sixth place at Liege-Bastogne-Liege and a strong performance at Eschborn-Frankfurt, where he narrowly missed the podium.
“I’m eager to race again,” said Bilbao.
“As this is my final season, I’m trying to enjoy every moment and create good memories.”
“I’ve trained well, although a minor health issue over the last few days means I may not start this race feeling at my very best. But it’s a long week, and although we face demanding stages right from the beginning, I hope to feel better day by day as we approach the crucial final weekend.”
With four summit finishes and plenty of climbing, the race promises plenty of action in the battle for the overall classification.
The challenge begins immediately with stage one (Vizille to Saint-Ismier, 146.2km), featuring five categorised climbs and almost 3,000 metres of elevation gain.
Stage two (Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux to Le Puy-en-Velay) will be the longest of the race at 237.3km.
Once again, riders will face five categorised climbs, although on paper they appear less demanding than those of the opening stage.
Stage three features a team time trial, serving as an important rehearsal ahead of the Tour de France.
The 28.4km course starts and finishes in Perreux and includes two short climbs that could prove decisive. The route concludes with a short but steep ramp of 0.8km at seven per cent, which could significantly influence the final times.
Stage four (Le Puy-en-Velay to Montrond-les-Bains, 167.4km) offers a rolling route divided into two distinct sections.
The opening part is highly undulating, characterised by constant ups and downs. Riders will then tackle the remaining climbs in quick succession, with little opportunity to recover, for a total of six categorised ascents.
The final 30km are entirely flat.
Stage five (Saint-Chamond to Parc des Oiseaux, Villars-les-Dombes, 195.8km) represents the final genuine opportunity for the sprinters before the race heads into its decisive mountain phase.
The crucial final block begins with stage six (Saint-Vulbas to Crest-Voland, 182km), featuring nearly 3,000m of climbing.
After a relatively flat start, the first significant difficulties arrive around the halfway mark. Approximately 23km from the finish, riders will face the demanding combination of the Cote d’Hery-sur-Ugine (11.3km at 5.1 per cent) and the Cote du Crest-Voland (5.9km at 7.7 per cent), where the finish line is located.
Stage seven (La Bridoire to Grand Colombier, 133.6km) may be shorter, but it packs more than 3,700m of elevation gain and five categorised climbs.
The stage concludes with a challenging summit finish atop the Grand Colombier, climbing 8.4km at an average gradient of 10.2 per cent.
The race concludes with stage eight (Beaufort to Plateau de Solaison-Brison, 120.1km), the ultimate showdown for the GC.
Over just 120km, riders will tackle more than 4,000m of elevation gain, including two first-category climbs, one Hors Categorie ascent, and a demanding final climb.
The decisive ascent to Plateau de Solaison-Brison is 11.3km long at an average gradient of 9.1 per cent and is set to determine the winner of the 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes.
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