Bahrain Victorious head to the Giro d’Italia with Santiago Buitrago leading the team’s general classification ambitions across three demanding weeks of racing, supported by a balanced line-up combining experience, climbing strength and opportunities for stage results.
The 2026 Giro d’Italia starts in Bulgaria on 8 May and finishes in Rome on 31 May, covering 3,470 kilometres and 47,539 metres of elevation. The route includes eight flat stages, six intermediate stages, six mountain stages and one individual time trial, with the decisive general classification battles expected to come across the high mountain stages, the 42-kilometre time trial and the final mountain weekend.
Buitrago returns to the Giro d’Italia after making the race one of his main objectives for the season. The Colombian has already enjoyed important moments at the Giro, including stage victories, and arrives after a consistent first part of the year and an altitude block in Colombia as part of his final preparation.
Santiago Buitrago said:
“The Giro d’Italia has been one of my main goals since last year. It’s a race that means a lot to me, one of my favourites, and it brings back very good memories. This season has gone in the right direction, starting in Australia through to Liège, and the work at altitude in Colombia has helped me arrive in good condition. I feel ready for this challenge.
We come here with a strong and balanced team. There’s a good mix of young riders and experience, and having someone like Damiano Caruso alongside me is very important. His experience in races like this is invaluable, and I know I can rely on him throughout the three weeks.
It’s going to be a hard Giro. I’ve looked at some of the stages already, and the time trial will be key for the general classification. For us, it’s about staying consistent, having good health and a bit of luck, and then trying to fight for the top positions. The goal is to arrive in Rome in the best possible way.
This race has already given me some special victories, and of course I dream of achieving more this year. I’m really looking forward to getting started and seeing what we can do.”
The team around Buitrago has been built to support the GC objective while also giving Bahrain Victorious several options across different terrains.
Damiano Caruso brings Grand Tour experience and will play a key role on the road in what will be his final Giro d’Italia, combining his role as road captain with important mountain support. Afonso Eulálio and Edoardo Zambanini add strength for the medium mountains and selective stages, with Zambanini also offering an option in reduced-sprint scenarios. Robert Stannard comes into the line-up after a late change, with Govekar missing the race due to a small injury, and gives the team another all-round option for support work and selective stages across the three weeks. Alec Segaert brings value in positioning, support, the individual time trial and potential breakaway opportunities. Fran Miholjević and Mathijs Paasschens add further strength for the flat stages, positioning work and protection around the team’s leaders.
For Caruso, the race carries additional meaning. The Italian returns to the Giro for the final time in his career, bringing with him years of experience at the race and a strong understanding of how to manage the demands of three weeks.
Damiano Caruso said:
“The Giro d’Italia is one of the races I love the most during the season, and it is certainly the one that has given me the most during my career. This year, once again, it will be special because it will be my last Giro d’Italia, so the main objective is to enjoy the race and experience the best emotions possible over the course of the three weeks.
Then, if I manage to achieve something important, like a victory, it would be the cherry on top of the cake. But above all, there is the enthusiasm of taking part as if it were my first Giro d’Italia. It will be important for me to live every day fully, because I know this race has been such an important part of my life as a rider.”
Sports Director Franco Pellizotti will lead the team, with the opening stages in Bulgaria requiring focus from day one before the race transfers to Italy. The first major mountain test comes on Stage 7 to Blockhaus, followed by a key individual time trial on Stage 10 from Viareggio to Massa. The final week then brings a series of decisive climbing stages, including the short and demanding stage to Carì, the Dolomite stage to Alleghe and, before the race heads to Rome, a final GC test with the double ascent of Piancavallo in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Franco Pellizotti, Sports Director, said:
“We have a very strong roster. We had one last-minute change, with Robert Stannard coming into the team. He is very happy to be here, and I think he arrives in good shape.
Having Damiano Caruso in the team is very important for us, and also for Santi. He is probably the most experienced rider in the group, and in a Grand Tour a rider like him gives you something more. He will also have the freedom to try for a stage result, but for sure he will be one of the key riders close to Santi in the mountains.
The rest of the group gives us good balance. Mathijs Paasschens, Alec Segaert and Fran Miholjević will be important for support, positioning and protection, while Edoardo Zambanini and Afonso Eulálio arrive in very good shape and can play an important role in the medium mountains and in the stages that suit them.
With Santi, our objective is clear. A top five in the general classification is achievable, even if we know how difficult it is in a Grand Tour, especially at the Giro d’Italia, the first Grand Tour of the year. I believe in him. He has grown a lot in recent years, and he has prepared very well, both physically and mentally.
We also want to try to win at least one stage, because with this roster it is possible. We will go day by day, with clear roles and objectives, and we will do our best from the riders’ side and from the staff side to finish this Giro with a strong result.”
The team starts the Giro with clear objectives: to protect Buitrago across the full three weeks, remain consistent in the general classification and take opportunities for stage results when the race situation allows. With a demanding route, a long time trial and several high mountain days, the team will look to stay focused from the opening stage and arrive in Rome having fought across every phase of the race.
