Bahrain Victorious have confirmed the signing of Attila Valter on a contract running through to the end of the 2028 season. The Hungarian climber, who has spent the past three years with Team Visma | Lease a Bike, will bring proven stage race pedigree and leadership experience to the squadโs Grand Tour ambitions.
A three-time national road race champion, Valter has long been regarded as one of Hungaryโs most successful road cyclists. His palmarรจs includes wins at both the elite national time trial and road race championships, most recently doing the double in 2023 and 2024. He also famously wore the maglia rosa at the Giro dโItalia in 2021 while riding for Groupama-FDJ, a moment that catapulted him onto the wider international stage.
Speaking about the move, Valter said: โThe teamโs goals are perfectly matching with my personal ones. This gives me a lot of confidence and Iโm excited to start this journey together with them!โ
Since his WorldTour debut with CCC Team in 2020, Valter has consistently improved in the mountains. Alongside his national titles, his past results include a stage win at the Tour de lโAvenir, a victory at the Gemenc Grand Prix I, and two top-10s at the Tour de Hongrie, including 5th overall in 2020. He was also 6th in the 2023 Giro dellโEmilia and featured in support roles at both the Tour de France and Giro dโItalia.
Milan Erลพen, Team Managing Director at Bahrain Victorious, explained the thinking behind the signing: โWe are very pleased to welcome Attila to Bahrain Victorious. He is a rider weโve followed for a long time and believe he has the potential to take another step forward with us. Over the next two years, we see him playing a crucial role in the mountains – supporting our GC leaders while also having the freedom to chase his own results.โ
At 27, Valter arrives at a key point in his career. While capable of domestique duties in week-long stage races or Grand Tours, his steady improvement suggests more personal opportunities could lie ahead, particularly on mountainous terrain.
Main photo credit: A.S.O./Tony Esnault