Bahrain Victorious to open the 2026 season at Tour Down Under with Bianchi
# Bahrain Victorious to Kick Off 2026 Season at Santos Tour Down Under with Bianchi
Bahrain Victorious is set to launch its 2026 WorldTour season at the renowned Santos Tour Down Under, returning to Australia for the year’s inaugural race. The event, held in and around Adelaide, offers a challenging combination of sprint stages, rolling terrain, and selective climbs. Originally established in 1999, the Tour Down Under has evolved into the premier cycling event in the Southern Hemisphere, traditionally initiating the WorldTour calendar each January in South Australia.
The upcoming men’s edition will cover 758.9 kilometers, featuring a short opening time trial (prologue) and several demanding stages throughout the week. A notable change this year includes a new concluding stage in Stirling, where the general classification is expected to significantly form on the tougher terrains.
This year’s competition will also mark Bahrain Victorious’ debut WorldTour appearance under its new technical partnership with Bianchi, following the agreement with the Italian bicycle manufacturer for the 2026 season.
Sports Director Aart Vierhouten shared insights on the upcoming race, stating, “Coming from Europe, the heat is always a factor in Australia, but the riders have completed dedicated heat-adaptation training. We will use the days before the race for final preparation. The Tour Down Under is more demanding this year, with a short prologue and a tougher final stage that shifts the focus more toward the general classification rather than a pure sprint finish. We expect a more challenging race overall and see it as a good test for the team at the start of the season.”
Team leader Santiago Buitrago expressed his enthusiasm for the event, saying, “I’m looking forward to starting my 2026 season in Australia. The Tour Down Under is a race I know well and enjoy, and it offers a demanding course to begin the year. We’re coming with a motivated group, and the aim is to approach the race in a good way and set a positive tone for the season.”
Bahrain Victorious will field a well-rounded roster supporting Buitrago, with riders including Edoardo Zambanini, who will add versatility; Max van der Meulen, who excels in challenging terrains; and Žak Eržen, available for sprint opportunities post-prologue. Other riders such as Fran Miholjević and Robert Stannard will also play vital roles, alongside Oliver Stockwell providing support and strategic positioning.
Santiago, who previously finished as the second-best young rider in his WorldTour debut at the 2020 race, has since steadily advanced as a formidable stage-race rider. His capacity to tackle selective terrains has led to notable results in prior seasons, making the Australian race a fitting venue to commence the new year.
Following the Tour Down Under, Bahrain Victorious will extend its Australian tour by participating in the Surf Coast Classic on January 29 and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on February 1, before transitioning back to Europe and the Middle East for the remainder of the season. The Santos Tour Down Under is scheduled to take place from January 20 to 26, 2026, officially kicking off Bahrain Victorious’ 2026 WorldTour campaign.
