Team Bahrain Victorious set for 77th edition of the Volta Comunitat Valenciana
# Bahrain Victorious Gears Up for the 77th Volta Comunitat Valenciana
Bahrain Victorious is set to compete in the highly anticipated 2026 edition of the Volta Comunitat Valenciana, taking place from February 4 to 8. Coming off a successful 2025 campaign where Santiago Buitrago clinched the overall title, the team aims to build on that momentum as they embark on their early season European programme.
Leading the charge will be Antonio Tiberi, who is focused on the general classification alongside road captain Damiano Caruso, whose experience will be invaluable throughout the race. Nikias Arndt also adds his leadership as the team navigates the flatter and transitional stages.
In addition to Tiberi and Caruso, the roster includes Matevž Govekar, who will aim for sprint opportunities, and Alberto Bruttomesso and Mathijs Paasschens, who are tasked with race positioning and control. The squad will also welcome young Hungarian talent Bálint Feldhoffer, who is making his WorldTour debut in a stage race after stepping up from the development squad.
The five-day competition stretches over 601.7 kilometers and features approximately 7,720 meters of climbing. Cyclists will navigate a mix of sprint stages, an individual time trial, and a challenging mountain finale. Stage four, dubbed the “queen stage,” is particularly noteworthy, boasting more than 3,200 meters of elevation gain—a crucial factor for the general classification.
The team is keenly aware of the role the individual time trial on stage two will play in determining standings. They also intend to seize opportunities in the subsequent stages.
Antonio Tiberi expressed optimism ahead of the race: “My feeling ahead of Valenciana is quite good. After the first race of the season, where I finished third, I felt really strong, even better than I expected. Now I’m curious to see what I can do in the first stage race of the year. It will also be my first time racing the time trial bike this season, which is something I’m looking forward to, and it’s nice to start this race together with Damiano and the rest of the team in the new jersey. The sensations are good, the shape feels right, and I’m motivated to show myself during the week.”
Sports Director Roman Kreuziger shared similar sentiments, stating, “This will be our first stage race of the season in Europe, and it’s good to return to roads we know well from training camp. Antonio showed in Morvedre that he is in good shape, and with the individual time trial on stage two he has a real opportunity to deliver a strong result in the general classification. Damiano will play a key role as road captain, supporting Antonio through the week. Nikias brings experience on the sprint stages and helps maintain structure, while stage four will be decisive. With five days of consecutive racing, consistency and recovery will be important. Our objective is to stay competitive throughout the race and target a top five result.”
As the Bahrain Victorious team prepares for this demanding event, all eyes will be on their performance, especially with the stakes high in the early season calendar.
