Trofeo Laigueglia: Santiago Buitrago bolts from breakaway for solo victory

Santiago Buitrago of Bahrain Victorious secured a decisive solo victory at Trofeo Laigueglia, attacking from a strong breakaway group in the race's final kilometres. The Colombian climber left his companions behind on the arduous Colla Micheri climb, crossing the finish line comfortably ahead of second-placed Antonio Tiberi (Team Bahrain Victorious) and third-placed Jan Tratnik (Visma-Lease a Bike). This marks Buitrago's first win of the 2024 season and a significant early-season triumph for his squad.

This victory is particularly pertinent for Buitrago, who has shown flashes of brilliance in Grand Tours and one-day races but often lacked the final punch. Coming off a strong performance at the Tour of the Alps last year and a stage win at the Giro d'Italia in 2022, this solo effort against a quality field, including several WorldTour teams, signals a potential step up in his consistency and leadership capabilities. For Bahrain Victorious, a 1-2 finish at a prestigious Italian classic underlines their early-season form and depth.

Buitrago's solo effort was a masterclass in timing and power. While the field might not have been Grand Tour calibre, taking a win of this nature so early in the season suggests he's ready to turn potential into palpable results.