Bahrain Victorious Brings Strong Lineup to Deutschland Tour
Bahrain Victorious is gearing up for a week of racing, with events in Spain, Benelux, and Germany, where they will be participating in the Deutschland Tour. The fifth edition of this UCI pro series race will take place from August 23rd to 27th, featuring a prologue in St. Wendel and four stages crossing the country from west to north, with the finish line in Bremen.
Team SD Enrico Poitscke explains that this year’s race will have a different character compared to the previous edition, focusing on classic stages with punchy finishes and sprint stages. The team has carefully selected a lineup that is suited and prepared for these challenges. Pello Bilbao, who won a stage and finished second in the general classification in 2022, will lead the team for the overall ranking. The prologue will play a crucial role in determining the overall standings, with Bilbao and Nikias Arndt fully focused on securing bonus seconds.
Phil Bauhaus, who has just returned to racing after the Tour de France, is eager to perform well in his home country. As the only stage race for the elite in Germany, the Deutschland Tour holds special significance for him. Bauhaus will have the support of lead-out men Nikias Arndt and Cameron Scott, and the team will also rely on Yukiya Arashiro and Rainer Kepplinger in supporting roles. There is even a possibility for the Austrian rider to chase stage victories.
Bahrain Victorious has a successful history in the Deutschland Tour, with Matej Mohorič winning the overall, points jersey, and youth classification in 2018. Sonny Colbrelli followed suit in the next edition, finishing second overall and winning the points jersey. In 2021, the team was the best overall and in the last edition, Pello Bilbao secured a second-place finish in the general classification while also winning the points classification and a stage.
Bilbao is looking forward to returning to the Deutschland Tour, recalling his positive experience in 2022. Although he might not be at 100% after the rest period following the Tour de France, he feels fresh and is motivated to perform well. With a race where small details will make a difference, Bilbao believes that a few seconds gap will determine the general classification. The team also has strong German riders in Arndt and Bauhaus who can excel in different stages of the race.
With their strong lineup and a track record of success in the Deutschland Tour, Bahrain Victorious is ready to compete and continue their winning tradition in this prestigious event.
