Santiago Buitrago
Santiago Buitrago, born 26 September 1999 in Bogotá, is a Colombian climber and one of the brightest Grand Tour talents of his generation. Riding for Bahrain Victorious, he is a proven mountain stage winner at the Giro d'Italia and a genuine general-classification contender at the highest level. With Grand Tour stage wins, a top-ten Vuelta a España finish and early-season classic success to his name, he carries Colombia's rich climbing heritage into the modern peloton. Find Santiago Buitrago's latest news, results, stats and race program on this page.
Biography of pro cyclist Santiago Buitrago
Santiago Buitrago is a Colombian climber who combines pure mountain ability with the steadiness needed to contend across three weeks. Calm and consistent, he has grown from a promising stage hunter into a trusted Grand Tour leader at Bahrain Victorious.
He belongs to a proud lineage of Colombian climbers, but has carved his own identity as an all-round stage racer capable of winning hard mountain stages and finishing high on general classification.
Early life and rise
Buitrago was born in Bogotá and came up through Colombia's strong development scene, a country that has produced a long line of world-class climbers. He moved to Europe young and joined the Bahrain Victorious set-up, where he progressed quickly from a support climber into a leader.
His early performances in mountainous terrain marked him out as one of the most promising Grand Tour prospects of his age group.
Giro d'Italia stage wins and GC breakthrough
Buitrago's signature results have come at the Giro d'Italia, where he won mountain stages in 2022 and 2023, announcing himself as a top-level climber who could win from the front in the high mountains.
He then translated that stage-winning form into general-classification results, finishing tenth overall at the 2024 Vuelta a España, his best Grand Tour finish to date. In early 2026 he added the Italian classic Trofeo Laigueglia, a sign of his sharp early-season form.
Rider profile: strengths and style
Buitrago is a lightweight, pure climber who is strongest when the road goes uphill for long stretches. He is a smart, patient racer who paces his efforts well over three-week tours, and he has the tactical maturity to both chase stage wins and protect a high overall position. His steady consistency, rather than explosive attacking, is the foundation of his GC ambitions.
Personal life
Buitrago hails from Bogotá and represents the next generation of Colombian Grand Tour riders, following in the wheel-tracks of his country's celebrated climbers.
Records and milestones
- Born 26 September 1999 in Bogotá, Colombia
- Giro d'Italia mountain stage wins in 2022 and 2023
- 10th overall at the 2024 Vuelta a España, his best Grand Tour GC finish
- Winner of Trofeo Laigueglia (2026)
- Grand Tour leader for Bahrain Victorious
What's next for Santiago Buitrago?
Still in his mid-twenties, Buitrago's ambitions point toward Grand Tour general classification, with the goal of converting top-ten finishes into podium contention. As a designated Bahrain Victorious leader, he will continue targeting both mountain stage wins and the overall at the sport's biggest races.
