Three Spanish races on calendar for TBV: Vuelta a Murcia, Clásica de Almería and Clásica Jaén

# Bahrain Victorious Gears Up for a Series of Spanish Races: Vuelta a Murcia, Clásica de Almería, and Clásica Jaén

Bahrain Victorious is set to make its way back to Spain this coming weekend for an action-packed lineup of cycling events, featuring three significant competitions: the 46th Vuelta a la Región de Murcia (UCI 2.1) over two days, followed by the 39th Clásica de Almería (UCI 1.Pro) and the fifth edition of the Clásica Jaén Paraíso Interior (UCI 1.1) in quick succession.

### A Return to Familiar Grounds

The team’s journey begins with the Vuelta a Murcia on February 13-14, marking a return for them since their debut in 2017 when the event was a one-day race. The format shifted to a two-day stage race this year after being held as a one-day event since 2021. Pello Bilbao, a familiar face from their 2019 campaign and a past winner of a stage, is eager to kick off his season: “I’m highly motivated to start the season… Murcia is an interesting race to begin the season… this edition will offer us two challenging days.”

Bilbao will be supported by his teammate Attila Valter, who is set to make his official debut with Bahrain Victorious. Valter aims to assist both Bilbao and Matej Mohorič, who will act as road captain during the first stage from Cartagena to Yecla. “That finale will be the decisive moment of the opening day,” explained TBV Sports Director Gorazd Stangelj, emphasizing the need for strategic positioning and teamwork.

### Setting Sights on Clásica de Almería

Next on the agenda is the Clásica de Almería on February 15. With its 190 km route from Puebla de Vícar to Roquetas de Mar, this race will cater to sprinters, and Bahrain Victorious has set its sights on securing victory with Phil Bauhaus. Lead Sports Director Nikolas Maes shared his outlook: “Our clear objective is to go for victory with Phil Bauhaus… we will need to adapt to the race situation.”

With the competition expected to feature robust climbers, Maes is confident in the team’s ability to control the race dynamics and execute a strong lead-out for Bauhaus.

### Tackling Clásica Jaén Paraíso Interior

Lastly, Bahrain Victorious faces the challenges of the Clásica Jaén Paraíso Interior on February 16, which has gained a reputation for its unique blend of paved roads and gravel sectors. The 169 km course, which begins and ends in Úbeda, includes 33.1 km of gravel roads, favoring riders with versatility in both road and off-road conditions.

“The line-up is well suited to this demanding terrain,” remarked team representatives, noting the presence of talented riders including Pello Bilbao and 2023 Gravel World Champion Matej Mohorič. Their combined experience in varying cycling disciplines is expected to give Bahrain Victorious an edge in navigating this challenging landscape.

### Conclusion

As Bahrain Victorious embarks on this series of races, their combination of experience, tactical planning, and a well-rounded team sets them up for a promising performance during this challenging block in Spain. The eyes of the cycling world will undoubtedly be on them as they seek to secure victories and make their mark in these iconic events.