Bahrain Victorious Start Bretagne Classic with a Line-Up to Cover All Eventualities! 

# Bahrain Victorious Prepares for Bretagne Classic with a Robust Line-Up

As the cycling world shifts focus from the challenging stages of La Vuelta in Spain, where Team Bahrain Victorious’ Torstein Træen currently sports the leader’s jersey, the excitement is palpable for the return of one-day racing in France. On Sunday, the Bretagne Classic – Ouest-France will take center stage as the penultimate European single-day event in the UCI 2025 World Tour calendar.

This iconic race has evolved significantly since its inception as the Circuit de Plouay in 1946. With its recent adaptations leading to a more demanding course, Team Bahrain’s lead Sports Director Gorazd Štangelj remarks, “It is a very demanding course. Every year harder and harder, it looks like a classic race, similar to Amstel Gold, with 260 kilometres and 4,800m of elevation gain.” Given the forecast of challenging windy and wet conditions, Štangelj expresses optimism, stating, “Let’s say we’re looking forward to take the maximum we can from the day.”

The Bahrain Victorious line-up for this 89th edition of the Bretagne Classic features a mix of experienced and emerging talents, including Matej Mohorič, who previously finished 11th here in 2019, and Pello Bilbao, making his sixth appearance. Both seasoned racers will take on pivotal roles in supporting Fred Wright, who has been identified as the team’s leader for this race. Štangelj highlighted Wright’s current form: “Probably showing the best shape right now is Fred Wright. He’s going to be the leader in the race.”

In this 262 km race that begins and ends in Plouay, the team has structured its strategy with Mohorič and Bilbao as co-leaders. “Matej, as a road captain and co-leader, will follow attacks in the last, let’s say, 60/80 kilometres. It’s a similar situation for Pello as another co-leader,” Štangelj elaborated.

Among the debutants are Fran Miholjević and Afonso Eulálio, who bring fresh energy to the team. Štangelj noted the importance of early efforts on the tight and hilly route: “Most of the work needs to be done before the circuit, especially because of the wind, very narrow roads and hills.” With experienced riders like Kamil Gradek and Robert Stannard, the support structure is robust.

Eulálio has impressed in his first year with the team, adding an element of surprise to the race plan. “We don’t really know him well enough to know what to expect, to be honest! But this is also the reason to keep him as a joker and see until which point he can survive!” said Štangelj, hinting at tactical flexibility as the race unfolds.

Anticipation is high for Wright as he gears up for a race he describes as “a nice parcours,” hoping that his shape from recent races will allow him to thrive in a potential smaller group sprint. He stated, “If there are other opportunities, with the likes of Pello and Matej, we’ve got lots of options to cover the moves on the small climbs around this region of France. So yeah, I’m really excited.”

Both the team and its leader are aiming high, with Štangelj confidently asserting their chances, “We should – and have to – expect a good result. I would really like to go near the podium and also place two riders in the top 10.” As the Bahrain Victorious squad takes on the Bretagne Classic, all eyes will be on their performance in this riveting contest of endurance, strategy, and teamwork.