The 2025 edition of Itzulia Tour of the Basque Country finished with its traditional Eibar showdown; a stage which looked brutal enough on paper, as it included 4,000m of climbing. But add to that rain throughout, and it became even more challenging. Top finisher for Bahrain Victorious was Santiago Buitrago who was top 20 on the day and 13th overall.

Sports Director Neil Stephens reflected on what has been a testing week:

“Probably we didn’t achieve what we really hoped to. We were trying to get on the final GC podium and get at least one stage win. I think it’s realistic to say that the flat time trial at the start really didn’t help us. I think we were right out of the game for the General Classification. Then we tried to get the guys going, to get them to fight for each stage, however once again luck wasn’t with us when Pello Bilbao crashed. Still he tried everything he could in front of his home crowd on stage 5. Here on stage 6 everyone gave it whatever they could and they really tried hard. So we’re walking away without great results, but with the satisfaction we give it our best.

Unfortunately it wasn’t the ideal finish, but we’ll be back to fight again.”

Next up for the team is the most prestigious of monuments, Paris-Roubaix on Sunday.