Bahrain Victorious is pleased to announce the signing of Spanish climber Cristián Rodríguez, who will join the team from 2027 on a two-year contract.
The 31-year-old brings more than a decade of professional experience and a strong record in mountainous stage races and Grand Tours. Currently riding the Vuelta a España with XDS Astana, Rodríguez has spent the 2026 season with the Kazakhstani WorldTour team after three years with Team Arkéa-Samsic. He previously raced for TotalEnergies and Caja Rural-Seguros RGA.
A dedicated climber with extensive experience at the highest level, Rodríguez has established himself as a reliable presence in the mountains, both in support of GC leaders and when given the opportunity to fight for his own results. His Grand Tour experience includes multiple participations in the Vuelta a España, Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, while he has also consistently performed at the front of prestigious stage races across Europe.
His 2026 campaign has further underlined his value as a high-level mountain specialist. Rodríguez finished second overall at the Tour of Oman, including a particularly memorable performance in support of teammate Christian Scaroni, and later finished eighth overall at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. At the Vuelta a España, he has already shown his climbing form with third place on Stage 14 and fifth place on Stage 9, while he also claimed the KOM jersey at the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai.
Rodríguez’s career includes overall victories at the 2021 Tour du Rwanda, where he also won a stage, and the 2021 Tour de la Mirabelle. He was also runner-up at the 2022 Ruta del Sol and enjoyed a solid 2025 season, winning the Mercan’Tour Classic and finishing second at the Andorra Morabanc Classic before taking 20th overall at the Tour de France.
One of the defining characteristics of Rodríguez’s career has been his willingness to put the team first. His second place overall at the Tour of Oman was particularly significant to him because of the role he played in helping Scaroni secure the overall victory.
Bahrain Victorious’ addition of Rodríguez further strengthens its climbing depth ahead of the 2027 season, with his experience expected to be particularly valuable across the Grand Tours and mountainous stage races. His ability to support GC leaders, contribute to breakaways and pursue his own opportunities gives the team an additional option on demanding terrain.
Bahrain Victorious Performance Manager Rod Ellingworth said:
“Cristián brings a lot of experience and quality to our climbing group. He has spent many years racing at WorldTour level and has shown consistently that he can perform in the high mountains, both when supporting a GC leader and when he has the opportunity to race for himself.
“With our ambitions in the Grand Tours and stage races, we want to continue strengthening our climbing group. He gives us another experienced and reliable rider who can support our leaders in the biggest mountain stages, while also giving us another option when we are targeting stage wins or GC results in mountainous races.
“What particularly stands out is his attitude. He understands how important the role of a ‘domestique’ can be in a Grand Tour and takes pride in putting the team first.
“We’re very pleased to have him joining us for the next two seasons.”
Cristián Rodríguez said:
“I’m very grateful for the confidence Bahrain Victorious is showing in me, and I’m really excited to join the family. I’m proud to bring my work ethic and experience to the team and to help them continue reaching their goals.
“For me, being part of a team means being ready to do whatever is needed. I want to help the team’s top riders in any way I can, especially in the mountains, and use my experience to support them in the biggest races. At the same time, when opportunities come for me, I’ll be ready to take them.
“I’m really motivated for this new chapter and looking forward to working hard together and contributing to the team’s success.”
