“We expected a lot from Antonio" - Tiberi sent Bahrain-Victorious warning as he's told rider 'can't afford' similar performances in 2027
Cycling
Antonio Tiberi is under pressure at Bahrain-Vicotrious following a hot-and-cold 2026 season, with a sports director for the team publicly stating that the Italian rider disappointed this season. However, a Giro olive branch has been extended ahead of next season.
According to Franco Pellizotti, consistency is the key for the 25-year-old. Following an impressive stage win and second place at the UAE Tour in February, Tiberi failed to bring in the same results throughout the rest of the season.
He rode Tirreno Adriatico, Itzulia Basque Country, Tour of Romandie and Tour de Suisse over the following months, taking just two top tens before an underwhelming Tour de France saw him finish just 37th - with few notable performances to take away from the race.
He did re-find some form in September with three top tens in Italian classics before a second overall at the CRO Race, but signs off on a disappointing season that promised more following his promising Jebel Mobrah mountain victory at the UAE Tour.
For Pellizotti, the rider could have been better suited to a Giro d'Italia participation rather than the Tour as he claimed the rider was 'always chasing' the race throughout the Grand Tour.
“We expected a lot from Antonio, but he went largely unnoticed in many of his races,” Pellizotti told Lega del Ciclismo Professionistico.
Antonio Tiberi
Tiberi 'largely unnoticed in many of his races'
"For an Italian rider, the Giro offers greater motivation. At the Tour de France, he should at least have fought for stage wins. He could have joined breakaways. Instead, he was always chasing."
Looking forward to the 2027 season, the Giro d'Italia is on the agenda for the rider. However, despite the team's plans to give him a Corsa Rosa shot, they wanted that 'missteps' can't be afforded as they warn other riders in the team could soon be given similar opportunities.
He added: “But from now on, he can't afford many more missteps. We also have other emerging young talents in the team."
Tiberi likely to ride 2027 Giro d'Italia
The team's best overall performances in 2026 came in the form of Afonso Eulalio's Giro sixth place and spell in the Maglia Rosa, Lenny Martinez's Tour fifth place and Jakob Omrzel's Vuelta stage win and seventh place.
Speaking to Tuttobiciweb after the 2027 Giro d'Italia route was presented, Pellizotti declared: "For now, Tiberi is in our plans for the Giro. Antonio needs the warmth of the fans."
A return to the Giro will back fond memories for Tiberi. In the 2024 edition, he finished fifth place overall and claimed the white jersey for best young rider. Since then, he's taken podiums at World Tour stage races such as Tirreno Adriatico and Tour de Pologne before his UAE Tour performance this year.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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