In 2023, Pello Bilbao had achieved a very great Tour de France. Winner of a stage and 6th in the final general classification, the Basque was one of the great men of this 110th edition. This year, the rider of the Bahrain Victorious hopes to do as well, but the task will not be easy, as he explained in the pre-race press conference. “I did the preparation at home, the altitude does not suit me. When I focused on the altitude, I never had better results. Thanks to this experience, I was at home and now on the Tour I hope to be good”said Bilbao.
Video – Pello Bilbao in pre-race press conference
“UAE Team Emirates will take the reins of the race…”
“It’s an atypical start, we’ve already seen a similar start in Bilbao in 2023, with elevation and a demanding finish. This year it’s the same, with elevation and heat. These are the first days and it’s an opportunity to toughen up from the start. It will be difficult to slip into the breakaway and there will be a big battle to form it. UAE Team Emirates will take the reins of the race to toughen up and test everyone on the second day.”he commented.
The 34-year-old Basque’s goal will be to “to take advantage of the opportunities, to escape on certain stages and to fight in the general classification. After the first stages, we will see, but I want to play on both tables.”
“Santiago Buitrago is a rider with great potential”
Note that this year Bilbao will not be the only leader of the Bahrain-Victorioussince the Gulf team also counts on the young Colombian Santiago Buitrago. “Santi is a rider with great potential, but until this year he has not proven himself in a Grand Tour. The young people are showing that they can be leaders and the team expects a lot from him. He has deserved to have responsibilities These are his beginnings, it will not be easy, but if something happens to us in the first 9 days, we can already be very far away.he concluded.
