Bahrain - Victorious put down hard pace for Antonio Tiberi on final climb of stage 10: "In the final we decided to put the team in front to defend my position"

The top echelons of the general classification haven't seen much action today, with all the big guns arriving together on stage 10. However the bottom half of top 10 saw big moves with many riders close in GC jumping into the breakaway. In the end, Bahrain - Victorious accepted responsibilty for defending Antonio Tiberi's 6th place by pacing the final of the stage.

After the finish, Tiberi looked back on a 'very difficult day' with Eurosport. "It was a race from the start. There was a really fierce battle to get into the breakaway of the day. In the end, Damiano Caruso was there for us. That was perfect."

On the final climb of the Bocca della Selva, Bahrain - Victorious decided to take up the gauntlet. "In the final we decided to put the team in front, as Romain Bardet was up front," explains the young Italian. "The boys did very well. Damiano waited to support me, after which he rode hard in the lead for two or three kilometers."

And then it was up to Tiberi to throw in the towel. "I had good legs and so I decided to attack. This way I could gauge the competition. I am currently sixth in the rankings and I don't want Bardet to pass me again. I have already had bad luck in this Giro to Oropa and now I mainly want to use my good legs to gain time. Also with a view to the time trial."