Jose De Cauwer applauds Antonio Tiberi's progress: "He races very attractively and dares to attack"

In his first years among pros, Antonio Tiberi didn't make himself a good name. But he was offered shelter at Bahrain - Victorious. Steadily working to develop his gift from the cycling gods, he's beginning to write a new chapter in his career - one of a talented GC rider. Even if the burdens of past may forever haunt him, there is hope that people will remember Tiberi for his performances on (and not off) the bike.

It is not rare that riders are able to carry their good legs over to Critérium du Dauphiné/Tour de Suisse and it's something Tiberi will attempt to capitalize on ahead of National Championships (time trial on June 20, road race June 23). "Normally we will see Tiberi at the front," thinks Jose De Cauwer, who spoke at Sporza. "Although he had to go quite deep at the end of the Giro. That could be a bad thing for him this week."

Tiberi did impress De Cauwer at the Giro. "I don't know if many people would have seen his 5th place coming before the Giro." The Italian initially lost more than two minutes due to double mechanical on Orropa, but with combination of strong time trials and high-level consistency in second and third week, even podium was not as far as it may have seemed.

De Cauwer doesn't hide the fact that he liked how Tiberi approached the situation in Italy, which wasn't developing in his favor, to turn it around and secure a top 5 spot as well as the white jersey. "He races very attractively and dares to attack. I can only applaud his progress."

Regarding Tiberi's chances at Dauphiné, De Cauwer is cautiously optimistic. But normally, if the Bahrain-Victorious rider performs on a similar level he's shown at Corsa Rosa, he could add another top result to his season palmares. "If Tiberi has enough energy, we will see him fighting at the front in the coming week."