Team Bahrain-Victorious will take part in the 45th Tour of the Alps (April 18-22) with a Spanish core. In fact, a duo from the Basque Country is set to spearhead the World Tour squad in the Euregio Tirol-Südtirol/Alto Adige-Trentino, both with a significant past with the stage race organized by the G.S. Alto Garda.
Winner of the 40th edition in 2016, the last under the Giro del Trentino naming, Mikel Landa also claimed an overall second place in 2015 behind Richie Porte, whilst in the 2014 edition the climber born in Mungia had won the queen stage on iconic Mount Bondone.
On the other hand, Pello Bilbao has consolidated his feeling with the race more recently, taking part in the euro-regional race every year since 2018. In that first experience, the 32-year-old rider from Guernica conquered the opening stage in Folgaria, before picking up a stage win last year in Pieve di Bono, and going on to take the runner-up spot on the final podium behind Simon Yates.
In addition, Pello Bilbao feels a special motivation when it comes to the #TotA: the former Astana rider was one of the best friends of the late Michele Scarponi.
“Michele lived the final race of his life at the Tour of the Alps. It is a great emotion for me to take part in the race. Achieving major results in this event is a way to honor his memory”.
“I immediate felt a good vibe with the Tour of the Alps”, said Bilbao. – “I really like this race because it is prestigious, exciting, and fun at the same time, perfect before the Giro d’Italia. Every stage is different: the routes feature plenty of challenges, and anything can happen”.
The Basque rider is also a fan of the #TotA formula, characterized by short but very intense stages.
“The short stages guarantee a big show because the battle starts right after the Km 0, and that also helps with recovery after the stage. The technical level is top-class: 20-25 minute climbing efforts are perfect to test the condition at this point of the season. In addition, the transfers between stages are short and the quality of the hotels is high. It’s the perfect race before facing the Giro d’Italia”.
Team Bahrain Victorious has everything to be a serious contender for the final victory, also relying on the climbing prowess of Austrian Hermann Pernsteiner. On whom should lead the team at #TotA, Bilbao wouldn’t commit.
“I will do whatever the team asks me. Mikel will join me at the race, and the technical staff will make the call on whether having two leaders for the GC or not or one will play a supporting role. I will be ready either way".
“I will do whatever the team asks me. Mikel will join me at the race, and the technical staff will make the call on whether having two leaders for the GC or not or one will play a supporting role. I will be ready either way".
