Strong Antonio Tiberi at Giro d’Italia

While Team BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS missed out on a stage win in the 107th edition of the Giro d’Italia, Antonio Tiberi finished the Grand Tour as the best-placed Italian rider in 5th on GC. He also won the White Jersey of the Young Riders classification.

Antonio Tiberi had gone into the first rest day of the 107th Giro d’Italia, sitting in 6th on GC and in 2nd in the young riders’ classification. Despite having to do without Torstein Traeen early on, Team BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS was well on course to meet the targets it had communicated in the run-up to the first of the season’s three Grand Tours - being a top5 result in GC and competing for the White Jersey of the best young rider. Stage 13 came down to a bunch sprint, and Phil Bauhaus managed to add a second 3rd place to his count, scoring a podium result. On the next day, Antonio Tiberi repeated his strong performance from the first individual time trial, clocking the 6th fastest time again on a mostly flat course. He did so riding in a white skin suit since he had taken over the White Jersey earlier in the week when his main rival, Cian Uijtdebroecks, had to withdraw from the race due to illness.

In the finale of the Queen's stage up to Livigno, Antonio Tiberi had a weak moment and got close to losing the White Jersey, having to let his rivals go up the road. He lost time not only to the superior overall leader but also to some of his main rivals for a top5 spot on GC and the White Jersey. Thus, the second rest day of the race could not have come at a better time for Team BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS. The day after Antonio Tiberi was looking a lot sharper in the finale of a stage that had to be altered and shortened due to snowfall and heavy rain. And he got some precious support from Damiano Caruso. Stage 17 featured another uphill finish that made for animated racing. Antonio Tiberi was one of the most active riders on the way up to Passo Brocon, leading home a strong chase group to cross the finish line in 3rd and add some extra seconds to his lead in the young riders classification.

Having amassed an impressive lead before the closing weekend, GC leader Tadej Pogacar looked to be the safe winner of the 107th Giro d'Italia. But in his wake, the time gaps were much smaller, so the penultimate promised an animated fight for the places on the podium and in the top5. The equally long and steep Monte Grappa had to climb twice in the second half of the stage. Antonio Tineri went into this stage in 5th on GC and never got into danger of losing this position. Much rather Tiberi rode an impressive stage and did not only match his rivals' speed on the steepest gradients but managed to put them under some serious pressure and finished the stage in 4th place. Since its designated sprinter, Phil Bauhaus, had already withdrawn from the race, Team BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS focussed on getting Tiberi to Rome safely throughout the conclusive stage and did so without serious issues.

With his 5th place on GC of the 107th Giro d'Italia 22-year-old Antonio Tiberi has shown his qualities and his capability as a stage racer. Adding to the value of this result is the fact that he was the best-placed Italian rider and won the White Jersey. Team BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS did its utter best in supporting Tiberi's efforts and finished the Grand Tour in 4th in the team classification. While the team may have missed out on a stage win, it gathered a lot of positive memories throughout the last three weeks in Italy. And it has shown some great promise for the future.  

RESULTS:
107TH GIRO D’ITALIA, STAGE 13: RICCIONE - CENTO, 179KM
1. Jonathan Milan, ITA, in 4:02.03 hours
2. Stanislaw Aniolkowski, POL, st
3. Phil Bauhaus, GER/TEAM BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS, st

STAGE 17: SELVA DI VAL GARDENA - PASSO BROCON, 159KM
1. Georg Steinhauser, GER, in 4:28.51 hours
2. Tadej Pogacar, SVN, + 1.24
3. Antonio Tiberi, ITA/TEAM BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS, + 1.42

YOUNG RIDERS CLASSIFICATION:
1. Antonio Tiberi, ITA/TEAM BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS, in 79:26.52 hours
2. Thymen Arensman, NED, + 1.42
3. Filippo Zana, ITA, + 11:10

Photos: Sprint Cycling Agency