"Arensman is my first challenger and tomorrow will be a very tough day" - Antonio Tiberi expecting fierce battle for White Jersey on Giro's queen stage

Continuing to impress in his first crack at the general classification of a Grand Tour, Bahrain - Victorious' Antonio Tiberi finished 6th on the stage 14 individual time-trial, consolidating his place in the top-5 of the general classification in the process.

“Yes, I am very happy with today's time trial,” reflects the leading Italian in his post-stage interview with Cycling Pro Net immediately following his the conclusion of his efforts. “I finished sixth, so that's great. This morning I was a bit scared. I was a bit worried that my performance today would be disappointing. When I saw the result, I was very satisfied. I can be proud.”

Although a podium place is still 1:21 off for Tiberi, his lead in the race for the White Jersey for Best Young Rider, the 22-year-old leads nearest rival Thymen Arensman by 1:13 heading into Sunday's monumental stage 15 challenge which poses as the queen stage of this Grand Tour. With the riders having gone so deep in the ITT, the already challenging stage 15 is made even more likely to rip up the general classification due to the riders' efforts against the clock.

“I still wear the white jersey. Arensman is my first challenger and tomorrow will be a very tough day," previews Tiberi, anticipating a fierce battle with the INEOS Grenadiers star on the mountains of stage 15. "He is also very good on the climbs, but I hope to feel very good tomorrow as well.”

As mentioned, the podium isn't completely out of the question either. So far at the Giro, Tiberi has arguably been the most active and attacking GC rider not named Tadej Pogacar, so will he again try to go on the attack on the queen stage and hunt down a place on the podium?

“Until now I was indeed almost the only one (to attack Pogacar and fellow GC challengers ed.)," Tiberi admits in conclusion. "Tomorrow it might be better to be a bit more wait-and-see and see what the others want to do on the last climbs. It's so tough tomorrow.”