Although for a year Santiago Buitrago has been standing out and his level is growing more and more. In this 2023 he is already being the protagonist in the Bahrain Victorious, this start is exciting with what is to come. He has two podiums and has been a great domestique for Mikel Landa with whom he shared in the Vuelta Andalucía.
In the Bahrain Victorious there is also a lot of hope for what it can be this year. Its three main men look strong to fight for the grand tours. In the latest update of the UCI Ranking, the squad moved up two places and is now in the top 5. The contribution of the 23-year-old Colombian cyclist has been fundamental.
With points from Pello Bilbao, Mikel Landa and Santiago Buitrago Bahrain is close to Quick Step and Ineos who are fourth and third respectively. At the top are the Belgian team Intermarché-Circus-Wanty and Juan Sebastián Molano’s UAE Team Emirates.
How many points has Santiago Buitrago given to Bahrain Victorious?
Santiago Buitrago, who is 115th in the individual ranking, has competed this year in the Tour of Saudi Arabia and in the Tour of Andalusia, in both of which he finished third. Showing a great level, he got into breakaways, fought against the wind and helped Mikel Landa. The Colombian was key to the team.
In the Tour of Saudi Arabia he won a total of 73 points, 70 for finishing on the podium and three units for being third in the fourth stage.. In Andalusia he won 143 points, 125 for finishing third in the general classification, 10 for coming third in stage 2five for being fourth on matchday 1 where he resisted Pogacar and three units for being fifth in the fourth stage.
In total there are 216 points that the Colombian has contributed so that Bahrain is in the top 5 with 1848.98 units. The one who has given the most points to the squad is the Spanish Pello Bilbao with 669.14 and is followed by Landa with 243.
What’s next for Santiago Buitrago?
The next challenge of Santiago Buitrago will be the Tirreno Adriatico, which is from March 6 to 12. The Colombian hopes to continue adding points for the UCI Ranking. The rider recently told Diario AS that the competition will be tough because it is already a World Tour.
“It will be tougher because it is already a World Tour, all the teams will be there, there will be a higher level. It will be a very hard seven days, it is a tough race, the weather will not be favourable. The idea is to go to fight and we hope to be good in the general, either with me or with any other rider in the team”, he highlighted.