Damiano Caruso has one last Tour de France dream before retirement

The Bahrain Victorious rider, who confirmed at the end of last year that 2026 would be his final season as a professional, has previously celebrated stage victories at the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España. He has never crossed the line first at the Tour.

Speaking on the Domestique Hotseat Podcast, Caruso described the opportunity to complete his Grand Tour set as a dream. He knows how difficult it will be, but intends to approach his final Tour without regrets.

“For me, the Tour de France is the biggest race in the world, so I feel proud to be selected,” Caruso said.

“I also feel emotional because it is my last chance to win a stage at the Tour de France. I have already won at the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España, so it would be a dream.

“I know it is not only difficult, it is super difficult to win a stage at the Tour de France. But dreaming is free and I did everything I could to be there. At least I want to try.”

Caruso had not been certain of his Tour selection before the Giro d’Italia.

Bahrain Victorious were forced to rethink their 2026 Giro campaign after Santiago Buitrago crashed out on stage 2. The team shifted its focus to 24 year old Portuguese rider Afonso Eulálio, who claimed the maglia rosa on stage 5 and held it for nine days before losing the lead to Jonas Vingegaard.

Caruso finished ninth overall and left the race with renewed confidence.

“After the Giro d’Italia, I was not sure I would be part of the selection for the Tour de France,” he said. “But I came out of the Giro with really high morale and feeling happy.

“I asked myself: ‘Can I go? Can I make it?’ And I decided I could go to the Tour de France.”

The Italian spent the period between the two Grand Tours in Villars Hotel in Switzerland, where his recovery and training programme included cryotherapy, infrared light therapy and hyperbaric protocols. A Bahrain Victorious team doctor and coach were also present.

“We went there to try a new protocol to speed up my recovery,” Caruso explained. “I am an old guy, almost 39 years old, and I already have the Giro d’Italia in my legs.

“I do not know whether it will help in the long term. I will discover that later. But what I can say now is that I feel really good.”

Bahrain Victorious have selected Antonio Tiberi and Lenny Martinez as their leaders for the Tour.

Caruso, Matej Mohorič, Phil Bauhaus, Kamil Gradek, Robert Stannard and Vlad Van Mechelen complete the eight rider squad.

Caruso believes a top ten finish is a realistic target for Tiberi, who will make his Tour de France debut after gaining Grand Tour experience at the Giro.

“My realistic goal for Antonio Tiberi is a top ten finish, although he will have to fight really hard,” Caruso said. “It is his first Tour de France, but he already has experience from the Giro d’Italia. I think he has the qualities to try this new adventure.”

He also backed Martinez to challenge for a stage victory when the right opportunity arrives.

“We have Lenny Martinez, who has already shown many times what he can do when it is the right day,” he said. “He is a talented rider who can really win a stage at the Tour de France.

“We also have good helpers such as me, Kamil Gradek and Robert Stannard. Realistically, we can win a stage with Lenny and finish inside the top ten with Antonio.”

The opening 19 kilometre team time trial in Barcelona could be one of Bahrain Victorious’ most challenging stages.

Caruso admitted the team are not expecting to compete for the stage victory. Their priority will instead be to protect Tiberi’s general classification ambitions by limiting any time losses.

“We have only one goal that day: to reduce the gap as much as possible,” he said.

“We do not have the team to aim for the stage podium. We have to defend and limit the damage.”

Caruso has represented Bahrain Victorious since 2019 and is set to move into a sports director role with the team in 2027.

Knowing that his professional career is coming to an end has changed the way he views the demands of racing, training and preparation.

“Everything I am doing now is for the last time, so I just enjoy every single moment,” he said. “That is the case during training, on the bike and away from the bike.

“Even the nutrition is really strict, but it is not a problem because it is the last time. I am happy with that. I just want to enjoy every single moment.”

Caruso has completed all but one of his seven previous Tours. His only withdrawal came in 2022, when a positive COVID 19 test forced him to leave the race.

That resilience has defined much of his career. In his farewell season, it has taken on even greater meaning.

“I am ready to give everything,” Caruso said. “I want to arrive in Paris without any regrets and give everything for the team because it is the last time.

“My mentality has changed a lot over the years, especially in this final season. You do not get many chances to be part of this big circus.”

Listen to the full Hotseat podcast with Damiano Caruso 👇