It is official: the Bahrain Victorious lineup for the Giro d'Italia which starts on Friday. Santiago Buitrago returns to the pink race in which he has already experienced important moments at the Giro, including stage victories, and arrives after an excellent first part of the season and a period of altitude training in Colombia as part of his final preparation.

"The Giro d'Italia has been one of my main objectives since last year. It is a race that means a lot to me, one of my favorites, and it brings back beautiful memories. This season has gone in the right direction, from Australia to Liège, and the altitude work in Colombia has helped me arrive in good condition. I feel ready for this challenge. We arrive here with a strong and balanced team. There is a good mix of young riders and experienced cyclists, and having someone like Damiano Caruso by my side is very important. His experience in races like this is invaluable and I know I can count on him for all three weeks".

And further: "It will be a tough Giro. I've already taken a look at some stages and the time trial will be crucial for the general classification. For us, it's about being consistent, staying healthy and having a bit of luck, and then trying to fight for the top positions. The goal is to arrive in Rome in the best possible way. This race has already given me special emotions, beautiful victories, and of course I dream of achieving more this year. I can't wait to start and see what we can do".

Damiano Caruso brings with him the experience of the Grand Tours and will play a key role in what will be his last Giro d'Italia, combining the role of road captain with important support in the mountains. Afonso Eulàlio and Edoardo Zambanini add strength for the medium mountains and selective stages, with Zambanini also offering an option in scenarios with reduced sprint opportunities. Robert Stannard enters the lineup after a last-minute change, with Govekar absent due to a minor injury, and provides the team with another complete option for support work and selective stages over the three weeks. Alec Segaert brings value in terms of positioning, support, individual time trial and potential breakaway opportunities. Fran Miholjević and Mathijs Paasschens further strengthen the group for the flat stages, working in position and protecting the team leaders.

For Caruso, the race has a special significance. The Italian returns to the Giro for the last time in his career, bringing with him years of experience and a deep understanding of how to manage the demands of three weeks.

"The Giro d'Italia is one of the races I love most and it is certainly the one that has given me the most in my career. This year, once again, will be special because it will be my last Giro d'Italia, so the main objective is to enjoy the race and experience the most intense emotions possible over the three weeks. Then, if I could achieve something important, like a victory, it would be the icing on the cake. But above all, there is the enthusiasm of participating as if it were my first Giro d'Italia. It will be important for me to live every day to the fullest, because I know that this race has represented a fundamental part of my life as a cyclist".

Sports director Franco Pellizotti will lead the team and explains: "We have a very strong team. We had a last-minute change, with Robert Stannard coming in. He is very happy to be here and I think he arrives in excellent form. Having Damiano Caruso in the team is very important for us, and also for Santi. He is probably the most experienced rider in the group. In a Grand Tour, a rider like him gives you something extra. He will also have the freedom to aim for a good stage result, but he will certainly be one of the key riders alongside Santi in the mountains. The rest of the group gives us a good balance. Mathijs Paasschens, Alec Segaert and Fran Miholjević will be important for support, positioning and protection, while Edoardo Zambanini and Afonso Eulàlio arrive in excellent form and can play an important role in the medium mountains and stages suited to them. With Santi, our objective is clear. A top-five finish in the general classification is achievable, even though we know how difficult it is in a Grand Tour, especially at the Giro d'Italia, the first Grand Tour of the year. I believe in him. He has grown a lot in recent years and has prepared very well, both physically and mentally. We also want to try to win at least one stage, because with this team it is possible. We will proceed day by day, with clear roles and objectives, and we will do our best, both as riders and as staff, to conclude this Giro with an excellent result".