Antonio Tiberi the 'one and only leader' of Bahrain - Victorious at 2025 Giro d'Italia: “We have one clear objective: Try to make it onto the podium"

Antonio Tiberi starred at the 2024 Giro d'Italia, finishing 5th overall and taking home the White Jersey for Best Young Rider. As he prepares to return to his home Grand Tour in 2025, Bahrain - Victorious have backed their climbing talent with some strong climbing support.

“We have one clear objective: Antonio for the GC to try to make it onto the podium. He is the one and only leader of the team," explains Bahrain - Victorious' lead sports director Gorazd Štangelj in a press release to the team's official website. "If everything goes as we would like or as we are planning, then yes, full focus on this. Antonio’s biggest, let’s say, challenge are the two time trials where we would like to gain some time. Then it’s the last few days, especially stages 19 & 20, where we expect the biggest battle. Probably he will be mostly on here his own against other GC riders to show the quality.”

"We have a really balanced team, with mountain support, mid mountain support; we are covered everywhere. We also have riders who we can count on when we need someone in the breakaway or even winning from a breakaway," Štangelj continues, with the support of Damiano Caruso, Pello Bilbao, Edoardo Zambanini, Andrea Pasqualon, Matevz Govekar, Fran Miholjevic and Afonso Eulalio being counted on by Tiberi.

"Damiano is road captain, and the shadow of Antonio during all the race. He also has some personal objectives to join some breaks and try for a stage win. If there is going to be the space for it, we hope for it. So this is his goal," explains Štangelj. "Pello’s role is similar to Damiano, he will shadow Antonio as mountain support for him, and he will also have the chances to fight for the stage win. Especially the gravel one where he’s normally good on Strade Bianche and he points out this stage that he will like a lot."

"Edoardo is mid-mountain support, and one of the fastest riders we have in the team. He also showed us a few stages where he would like to have the freedom to play his cards and again, hopefully we can give him this," the DS adds. "Fran Miholjevic will be flat and mid mountain support and he’s really a master of positioning people at the crucial time, crosswinds and so on. Govekar here as support on the flat. He’s the fastest rider in the team, but as all the focus is on GC with Antonio, we will see how many chances Matevz can have for himself."

As for Tiberi himself, confidence is high in the Italian. “I’m definitely very, very happy to participate in the Giro d’Italia again and I can’t wait to start," he previews with some optimism and excitement. "These days I’ve been working really well, and the legs seem good, so let’s go! Damiano [Caruso] and I work well together, so let’s see how the sensations are in the race. I can’t wait to leave and try to do my best.”

Antonio Tiberi
Damiano Caruso
Pello Bilbao
Edoardo Zambanini
Andrea Pasqualon
Matevz Govekar
Fran Miholjevic
Afonso Eulalio