"The white jersey and in the top five, that would be really a dream" - Antonio Tiberi readying himself for big weekend at the Giro d'Italia

One of the breakthrough stars of the GC fight at the 2024 Giro d'Italia so far, Bahrain - Victorious' Antonio Tiberi is well positioned with 12 stages in the legs, sitting 5th overall, with the White Jersey of Best Young Rider safely on his shoulders.

“I'm a bit surprised,” admits the 22-year-old Italian in conversation with GCN. “Because it's the first time that I'm trying to do the GC, and for sure it's not easy. It's also my first Giro d'Italia, so maybe I don't have a lot of experience. I'm really happy about my Giro until here, and now I'm fifth on GC, and I'll try for sure to maintain this position or also maybe move a bit up and gain some time on some stages, especially the time trial.”

In the first time-trial of the race, Tiberi launched himself up the general classification with a solid effort in comparison to many of his GC rivals. “The TT in Perugia went really well, also the feeling was super nice, especially in the final climb. So it gave me some confidence for this second TT, also because it's completely flat, so for sure I'll try to do my best,” he previews of stage 14. “It was amazing for me as an Italian, wearing a jersey in the Giro d'Italia. It's like a dream come true for me.”

With Italian cycling searching for a replacement for Vincenzo Nibali in contending for Grand Tour victories, could Tiberi be the man to fill the 'Shark of Messina's boots? Perhaps not at this race, with Tadej Pogacar in such dominant form. The podium though is still within touching distance for Tiberi and with a big weekend ahead, there is opportunity to move up.

“This weekend will be super hard, beginning with the time trial which is also really long, and after on Sunday we have a super hard stage, the monster of the Giro. For sure there we will see there the final GC, more or less," Tiberi analyses. “I would like to come to Rome in the position I am in now, with the white jersey and in the top five, that would be really a dream, but for sure from here until Rome I'll try to do my best and maybe gain something on GC.”