“It has been a very difficult tour of France”

Santiago Buitrago, in stage 16 of the Tour de France.

Foto: @BHRVictorious

Santiago Buitrago signed on Tuesday His best performance in the Tour de France 2025 With a brilliant third place at the top of Mont Ventoux, during stage 16.

The Colombian Bahrain-Victorus was the protagonist of the escape of the day and endured until the end in the trio of Punta that the victory was played in the last meters. The triumph was for the French Valentin Paret-Paintre, who overcame the Irish Ben Healy and Buitrago himself in an exciting closure in one of the most mythical ports of world cycling.

“My family has believed in me”: Santiago Buitrago

For Buitrago, this podium in Ventoux was also a personal rematch. In the first week of the Tour he suffered a very strong fall that left him beaten and without prominence in the initial stages.

However, he did not give up and over the days he was recovering sensations. This Tuesday, on a day that demanded courage, intelligence and resistance, he showed himself again as one of the best escalators in the platoon.

“It has been a very difficult tour for me, but my family has always believed a lot in me, as well as the team. In spite of everything, this third place means enough,” he told ESPN with the broken voice and visibly moved when he reached the finish line.

Buitrago, one of the referents of current Colombian cycling, found in the mountain the ideal scenario to demonstrate his character.

BUITRAGO UPS 17 POSITIONS IN THE GENERAL

In addition to the result in the stage, Bogotano managed to ascend 17 positions in the general classificationnow being in 46th position. Although it is still far from the first places, its performance revitalizes its options to fight for another stage in what remains of the tour. The Ventoux went up with determination and celebrated not only for the result, but for the recovery process he has lived during the race.

“There are very hard stages and as we will always continue trying. A shame not to have been able to win at the end of today,” he added, making it clear that his ambition does not end with this podium.

Buitrago arrived very close to victory and knows that there is still land to try, especially in the next high mountain stages, where he can shine if the forces accompany him.

Stage 17, on the other hand, does not seem tailored. There will be 160.4 kilometers between Bollène and Valence, in a half mountain day that will end, almost for sure, in a mass packaging. For Buitrago it will be an active recovery day, before facing new opportunities in the last stages of the Tour, which will enter its decisive line and the mountain will make a difference again.

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