A thrilling solo victory at the 2026 Trofeo Laigueglia left audiences in awe! Santiago Buitrago, riding for Bahrain Victorious, made a daring move in the final 10km, securing the top spot on the podium. But here's where it gets controversial...
With a strategic advantage, the Bahrain Victorious team knew they had to outmaneuver Romain Grégoire, the faster finisher on paper. And it was Buitrago who delivered, leaving Grégoire in his wake during the final ascent of the challenging Colla Micheri climb.
Grégoire, forced to ride solo for much of the finale, couldn't catch up to Buitrago, but his strong performance earned him a well-deserved second place.
The race unfolded on a picturesque 192-kilometer route from Albenga to Laigueglia, offering a preview of the iconic climbs of Milan-San Remo. Early on, Louis Vervaerke (Soudal-QuickStep) showed his strength, but as the race progressed, the top climbers took center stage.
As the race entered its crucial final circuits, a group of four formed at the front, including the dynamic Bahrain Victorious duo, Antonio Tiberi and Santiago Buitrago, along with Quinten Hermans and Romain Grégoire. They tackled the Colla Micheri climb with 30km to go, setting the stage for an exciting finale.
Vervaerke's early breakaway almost defied belief, as he maintained a solo lead for almost 90km, only to be caught by the top climbers with just 19km remaining. With another challenging ascent of Micheri ahead, the front group grew to five, leaving the chasers 20 seconds behind.
In the final 10km, a group of five riders, including Diego Ulissi and Gianmarco Garofoli, gave it their all to catch the Bahrain riders and Grégoire, but they fell short. Buitrago's attack on the final Colla Micheri ascent, though narrow, proved decisive, as he extended his lead with Tiberi's support and crossed the finish line in Laigueglia with a margin of less than 20 seconds.
And this is the part most people miss... The race results, powered by FirstCycling, showcase the incredible talent and strategy at play. James Moultrie, a renowned NCTJ journalist, brings us this thrilling account, having covered prestigious races like Paris-Roubaix and interviewed cycling legends.
So, what do you think? Was Buitrago's victory a strategic masterpiece, or did Grégoire's performance deserve more recognition? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's spark a discussion!
