Bilbao claims impressive win for Bahrain Victorious in Tour of the Alps second stage

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Team Bahrain Victorious rider Pello Bilbao continued his impressive form in the 45th edition of the Tour of the Alps yesterday after winning the event’s 154.1-kilometre second stage. It was the Spaniard’s third career win at the Tour of the Alps, and means that he wears the green jersey for the first time. A great day was made even better with Bahrain Victorious teammate Santiago Buitrago taking the white jersey for the best young rider as well.

The Tour of the Alps is part of the 2022 Union Cycliste Internationale ProSeries and it passes through parts of Italy and Austria. There was climbing straight from the start in yesterday’s leg. A 10-man breakaway formed, including general classification danger men Miguel Angel Lopez of Astana and Pavel Sivakov of Ineos Grenadiers, along with Bahrain Victorious’ Hermann Pernsteiner. Halfway through the stage the main test of the day began, and from there Bahrain Victorious led the peloton right until the final few metres, nearly 80kms on the front.

With 30k remaining, Sivakov and Michael Storer of Groupama-FDJ were over a minute in front, but Pernsteiner, Buitrago, Bilbao, and Mikel Landa—who worked like a one-man engine—pulled the Bahrain train closer to the escapees as the kilometres ticked down.

Having been confident of fighting it out between themselves for the win, incredibly the duo in front were caught with 9.6km left, and still the red and orange jerseys dominated on the front. As the bunch entered the uphill two-km drag to the line, Bahrain Victorious provided a lead out of which a sprint team would have been proud, leaving Bilbao an uncontested run in, and a chance to raise both arms ‘victorious’. He won in a total time of three hours 56 minutes and four seconds.

Following his fine victory, Bilbao commented: “We worked at our own pace, were super confident, and we always believed. The team did all the work, I just did the last 100 metres to put the cherry on the cake. We really demonstrated that cycling is a team sport today.” Bilbao had previously taken the runner-up spot in the first stage, and then yesterday’s triumph earned him a six-second advantage over Romain Bardet heading into today’s Queen stage.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Colombian Buitrago also broke into the top 10, and leads the young riders’ classification. There is plenty to play for in the next three days, and Bilbao, Buitrago, and Bahrain Victorious are in pole position. “After being close to victory here a few times, this year I have the responsibility to fight for the jersey,” added Bilbao. “We have a powerful team, with Mikel and Santiago near in the GC too.