Antonio Tiberi prepares for brutal stage in the mountains of Andalucia: "It's quite simple: it's about trying to follow the best"

Antonio Tiberi confirmed to be among the main contenders for the Vuelta a Espana podium in the eighth stage of the Spanish Grand Tour. On the steep finish in Cazorla, the Italian surpassed his limits to finish fourth, losing only 17 seconds on the stage winner Primoz Roglic.

"I suffered a little bit, but not as much as expected. I felt really good," Tiberi said after the stage. "It was a tough climb, especially in the first and last part. The rest was very good, even though I was a bit covered in the wheel. It was going flat out from the beginning, and I finished 4th. I think it's a very good result for me on this climb."

Primoz Roglic try to put his opponents under pressure from the foot of the climb but Tiberi was able to hold on very well: "I was thinking: 'this is the moment to try to follow, but the pace is really hard'. Primoz Roglic is very strong on this type of climb. With these slopes, I'm not very good, but I'm trying to do my best," he confided.

Today's stage will be the first big test for GC favourites (at least those who still remain in the mix) as the double ascent to Alto de Hazallanas will test their legs through and through. "Honestly, I don't know the climbs very well. I'll study them tonight and tomorrow morning. But it's quite simple: it's about trying to follow the best, Roglic and the others. I'll try to do my best every day, and we'll see how it goes."

After eight days of racing, Tiberi leads the Youth classification, 15 seconds ahead of Lennert Van Eetvelt. In the overall standings, the Bahrain - Victorious riders is fourth, 1:11 shy of Roglic and exactly five minutes behind the red jersey Ben O'Connor.