With Mikel Landa’s imminent departure to Soudal-Quickstep, Damiano Caruso and Santiago Buitrago will become the main leaders of the Bahrain team for the Grand Tours starting in 2024. In light of this, the team has extended the contracts of both cyclists, with Caruso now contracted until 2025 and Buitrago until 2026. Yukiya Arashiro has also extended his contract for one more year, until the end of 2024.
Caruso, now 35 years old, is already thinking about the end of his career but wants to race for at least two more years. “This extension was purely a formality. I feel like part of a family that I really enjoy, both as an athlete and as a person,” says the 2nd place finisher in the 2021 Giro d’Italia. “I like the idea that I might possibly end my career at Bahrain Victorious.”
Buitrago already had a contract until the end of 2024 but it was rescinded and extended until the end of 2026. “Over the last four seasons, the team has helped me in my growth,” said the Colombian, who has already won two stages of the Giro and finished third in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. “I still believe in the team’s plan for me. I hope to give the team as much success as possible to repay their trust.”
The experienced 39-year-old Arashiro will also stay with Bahrain Victorious for another year. 2024 will mark his eighth year with the team. “They appreciate my work as a domestique and respect my career,” says Arashiro. “I believe I can still contribute something. I can’t wait to race for another year and enjoy another year in the WorldTour.”