Bahrain Victorious to Compete in GP Castellón & Clàssica Valenciana

Bahrain Victorious is set for an exciting weekend of racing, competing not only in the WorldTour opener in Australia but also making its debut in two European one-day races: Ruta de la Cerámica – Gran Premio Castellón (1.1) on Saturday, January 25, and the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 (1.1) on Sunday, January 26.

The second edition of the GP Castellón offers a challenging 171.7 km hilly route from Castellón to Onda, near Valencia, with 2,500 meters of elevation gain spread across three categorised climbs. The ascending starts immediately, with the Alto de la Coma (3rd category), which is followed by the Serratella Peak (2nd category) – a 14 km ascent midway through the race, and the Ayódar Pass (2nd category), just 11 km from the finish, likely the most decisive point of the race. The riders will then tackle an uphill, technical finish.
It’s an ideal course for fast riders with climbing abilities, making TBV leader Matevž Govekar a strong contender. The Slovenian sprinter, who concluded last season celebrating his first WorldTour victory at the Tour of Guangxi in China, is eager to build on his strong performances in 2025.

TBV Sports Director Gorazd Štangelj emphasises the importance of positioning in such a finish:
“Positioning will be crucial. For this task, we can rely on our road captain, Matej Mohorič, to lead out the last corner, with Fred Wright as the last man. The experienced Kamil Gradek will also play a key role on the final climb.”
The lineup is completed by Finlay Pickering, Torstein Træen, and neo-pro Vlad Van Mechelen, who will provide support during the race’s key phases.

The following day, the 41st Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 (1.1), part of the Europe Tour calendar, presents a tougher course suited to climbers, although the finish is flat.

Starting in Valencia and finishing in La Nucia, the 184 km route also features three categorised climbs: Alt de Barx (La Safor), the iconic and explosive Coll de Rates, and Alt del Canonge (Turrón Duro-La Nucia), located around 10 km from the finish.
The final 3.5 km climb, with gradients exceeding 18%, will lead into a fast descent to the finish, that could create opportunities for decisive attacks.

Bahrain Victorious will adapt its lineup to the race’s demands, fielding some of its strongest climbers: Santiago Buitrago, Lenny Martinez (making his team debut), Jack Haig, and Edoardo Zambanini. These riders will join Mohorič, Gradek, and Træen in Spain, directly from a high-altitude training camp on Mount Teide in Tenerife.

Štangelj commented on the team’s strategy:
“The first races of the season are always a test to evaluate preparation. Our team looks strong on paper, with Santiago Buitrago as leader alongside Lenny Martinez. There’s a lot of excitement around Lenny as this will be his first race with us. Testing the riders’ legs is important, but we can also aim for a good result. Mohorič will again play a crucial role in supporting the leaders through the final climb, with Haig and Zambanini providing additional strength. Controlling the breakaway will also be key to securing the race outcome.”

_Newsletter

GET LATEST UPDATES FROM
TEAM BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS

Receive the Team Bahrain Victorious newsletter with the most popular content and updates.

Team Bahrain Victorious Kit

GEAR UP FOR GLORY

Team Bahrain Victorious Off-Bike Clothing

WEAR WHAT PROS WEAR