The Colombian sprang away from Andrea Bagioli (QuickStep Alpha Vinyl) in the final hundred metres to take out the second stage and move into the race lead of the Saudi Tour.
“It means a lot to me, thank you to the team," said Buitrago. "I’m very happy with a first pro win.”
The Colombian climber claimed the win and moved into the leader's green jersey, with Australian sprinter Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) clinging onto second overall after a battling performance on the climb to finish fifth on the day.
Martin Urianstad (Uno-X), Jeroen Meijers (Terengganu Cycling Team) and Polychronis Tzortakis (Kuwait Pro Cycling) formed the early move of the day, with Tzortakis and Urianstad both veterans of the previous stage’s breakaway.
The trio hung off the front of the peloton, but never looked like beating them to the finish, with Meijers the final man caught with 13 kilometres remaining.
Julius Jayde (Kuwait) tried a late attack, but was brought back with five kilometres left to ride as the teams tried to position themselves heading into the climb that concluded the stage.
The final ramp up to the climbed at a difficult average of 7.7% for 1.6 kilometres, enough for the main sprinters to be put into serious difficulty on what was a rough road surface.
Buitrago was the first to mount a significant attack on one of the steepest sections, surging away from the rapidly diminishing main group. Daniel Oss (Total Energies) bridged across to the lone attacker, with Bagioli attacking to join the front of the race.
Buitrago and Bagioli surged again to distance Oss, as behind, Lotto Soudal led what remained of the peloton to try and deliver Caleb Ewan to a second consecutive stage win.
Buitrago kicked again to distance Bagioli and win the stage within the final 100 metres, with the Italian finishing in second, with Anton Charmig (Uno-X) third.
Australian Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) relinquished his hold on the leader’s jersey he obtained by winning the first stage, but was optimistic about his chances of re-claiming the overall race leadership on Stage 3.
The Saudi Tour continues with Stage 3, a 185-kilometre route from Tayma Hadaj Well to AlUla Old Town that should suit the sprinters. Watch on SBS On Demand from 2330 AEDT.
