Santiago Buitrago finished third on the 76th edition of Getxo Circuit, sprinting to the line with Nizzolo (Qhubeka NextHash) and Giovanni Aleotti (Bora-Hansgrohe).
The 193.5 kilometers race saw a break form with Matej Mohorič and four more riders leading the race with 40 kilometers to go. With 20km to go, they were bridged back together as attacks started. Buitrago followed the move of Abner González (Movistar) as they moved into the lead, with 5 other riders bridging across and breaking away, including Nizzolo and Aleotti.
The next attacks started 6 kilometers to the finish, but Santiago Buitrago closed that gap successfully with Nizzolo and Aleotti. The four riders went together to the last kilometer waiting for the final, and decisive 700 metres climb to the finish line. The Colombian Santiago Buitrago anticipated the sprint with 250 meters to go, but Nizzolo sprinted to the line first, while Buitrago rounded out the podium.
Santiago Buitrago was happy with his first podium finish for Bahrain Victorious: “I’m very happy today, and it is the first podium I gave to my team. It was another very hard race, but the team did a great job after yesterday’s race at San Sebastian. Matej Mohorič did a great job for me today in the last lap and at the climb before going into the final lap, and he put me in a very good position to achieve such a good result. In few days, Vuelta Burgos starts, and I am looking forward to it”.
Matej Mohorič shared his thoughts after another great ride which was awarded as the most combative rider of today’s Circuito Getxo: “After yesterday, today was another race for us, and we decided to give a chance to our younger writers as they are going well, so we raced offensively. I was on the attack most of the day, but I was quite tired after yesterday’s effort, so I tried to ride strong, so the other guys in the group behind had an excuse not to ride and save energy, so they have left something for the final. I am happy that Santiago went strong in the final and took third place in the end, and I think that our guys can look forward to Burgos and Vuelta España. My plans are to go to the Tour of Poland next week, and then with Bink Bank Tour, I will start my preparations for the World Championships”.
