Bahrain Victorious all-in on Tiberi for the Giro, who's determined to reach the podium at all costs

Sports director Gorazd Stangelj doesn't hide Bahrain Victorious' ambitions in the Giro. "We have one clear objective: Antonio for the GC to try to make it onto the podium," Stangelj says on his team's website. "He is the one and only leader of the team, and if everything goes as we would like or as we are planning, then yes, full focus on this." Last year, Tiberi finished fifth in the Giro d'Italia, slightly more than two minutes off the podium and with the white jersey for best young rider in his possession.

One of the Italian rider's greatest strengths is his time trial. He won his only stage race to date (the Tour of Luxembourg) thanks to a strong time trial and also finished third in the time trials of the Tour of the Algarve and Tirreno-Adriatico. "Antonio’s biggest, let’s say, challenge are the two time trials where we would like to gain some time. Then it’s the last few days, especially stages 19 & 20, where we expect the biggest battle. Probably he will be mostly on here his own against other GC riders to show the quality."

Tiberi's preparation was not ideal: after an excellent Tirreno, he had to withdraw halfway through the second stage of the Tour of the Alps. He had fallen ill, but he has now recovered. He is, therefore, eagerly awaiting the start. "I’m definitely very, very happy to participate in the Giro d’Italia again and I can’t wait to start. These days I’ve been working really well, and the legs seem good, so let’s go! Damiano [Caruso] and I work well together, so let’s see how the sensations are in the race. I can’t wait to leave and try to do my best."

Bahrain Victorious is keeping a close eye on the opening weekend in Albania, where a lot can happen. "We don’t know what is coming," explains Stangelj. "It’s too early to panic, but to approach it with some caution is probably not a bad thing. When we arrive we will go to see stage 1, or at least the closing parts, and the time trial. Stage 3 is a bit more complicated to get to know the roads, so we will rely more on streetview etc."

With Andrea Pasqualon, they have an experienced man to navigate Tiberi through the flat stages, and there is a lot of talent across the board. "We have a really balanced team, with mountain support, mid mountain support; we are covered everywhere. We also have riders who we can count on when we need someone in the breakaway or even winning from a breakaway."

Damiano Caruso will be the road captain in the mountains. The Italian finished second in the Giro in 2021, but Pello Bilbao also brings the necessary experience. "Pello’s role is similar to Damiano's. He will shadow Antonio as mountain support for him, and he will also have the chance to fight for the stage win. Especially the gravel one where he’s normally good on Strade Bianche and he points out this stage that he will like a lot." The rest of the team comprises Afonso Eulálio, Matevz Govekar, Fran Miholjevic, and Edoardo Zambanini.