Santiago Buitrago has the podium of the Basque Country at 33 seconds: the real options of achieving it

Santiago Buitrago this Saturday has a good opportunity to attack the general classification of the Return to the Basque Countrya test that will end with a short but hard day with departure and arrival in Eibarof only 138 km and seven mountain passes, three of third, two of second and the same number of first category, which will define the podium.

The team runner Bahrain He is the best Colombian in a tight overall race, as he is 16th, 37 seconds behind the leader. Mattias Skjelmosebut only 33 seconds from the third place, which is currently occupied by the Spanish Juan Ayuso.

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The fraction will be ideal for attacks. It doesn't end high, but there is ground to do damage. The short stage is a grind, constant up and down, ideal for attacks.

Buitrago has looked very combative. Yesterday, on the fifth day with the finish in Amorebieta-Etxano, after 175 km and I wonor Romain Grégoirethe Bogota native was a figure.

Santiago Buitrago moved in the last kilometers, in the final two climbs, at times he led the race, but he was caught.

In the end, in the reduced pack of a group of 28 cyclists, he finished sixth with the same time as the winner, Romain Grégoire, and climbed seven positions overall.

It seems that he is in a good moment, as he has seemed agile and with a tendency to attack and this Saturday will be ideal to finish in a good position in the competition.

Grégoire is fifth in the classification and the Colombian has him 29 seconds behind. If we look at the general classification, Buitrago is only two seconds behind the 'Top' 10, a position held by Jegat Jordan, whom he could surpass.

After the leader are Maximilian Schachmann and Ayuso, second and third, respectively, who have looked strong, but from there Buitrago could gain positions, without ignoring that the podium is a great option.

However, their guards also have them within reach and cannot be neglected, furthermore, because they are very strong rivals.

Jay Hindley is 19th, just 10s behind Buitrago's position, while another strong runner could be Carlos Rodriguezwhom he surpasses by only 13 seconds, one more requirement for the Colombian.

The clear thing is that the Bahrain cyclist looks good, in good shape and today's day lends itself to him trying to climb in the general classification.