Slightly critical Caruso sees team leader Tiberi crack in the Giro: "There’s still room for improvement"

Thursday, 29 May 2025 at 10:04

Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google

Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.

Damiano Caruso traveled to the Giro d’Italia in support of team leader Antonio Tiberi. But his eighth appearance in the race took an unexpected turn, as a crash sidelined Tiberi, suddenly putting Caruso in a position to chase the general classification himself. And the 37-year-old Bahrain Victorious veteran seems to be handling it just fine.

Even when Tiberi was still high in the standings, Caruso consistently stayed with the best riders. The experienced Italian steadily climbed the rankings, allowing Bahrain Victorious to shift their focus to him. In Stage 17, Tiberi was dropped early on the Mortirolo climb, and Caruso was given the green light to ride for himself. Once again, he delivered a strong performance, now sitting in fifth place overall.

It’s been an impressive Giro so far, especially for a rider many thought was nearing retirement. “I really believed this would be my final year, and I wanted to finish strong,” Caruso told TuttoBiciWeb, reflecting on his preparation. “I spent all winter getting ready for the Giro, aiming to perform well with Antonio and hopefully reward myself with a stage win.”

Still, that plan fell apart when Tiberi crashed and saw his hopes of a strong overall finish go up in smoke. “What’s done is done. Unfortunately, not every body reacts the same,” said Caruso, who has been surprising even himself this Giro. “Honestly, I’ve noticed I’m in much better shape than I expected. There are still a few tough days ahead, and I want to enjoy them to the fullest. After a period of bad luck and physical issues, I’ve rediscovered the joy of cycling. That’s exactly why I’ve decided to extend for another year,” said the Italian, who has signed on for one more season.

Read more below the photo!

Antonio Tiberi was dropped very early on the Mortirolo

Caruso sets his sights on Giro goals: "Stage win will be tough"

The brutal third week still holds tough mountain stages on Friday and Saturday. Could Caruso possibly strike with a stage win? “That’ll be difficult, but never say never, anything can still happen. At the moment, finishing in the top ten is a solid and realistic goal, even though I’d love to end up in the top five. That would be amazing for me, almost like a victory.”

He currently sits in fifth place, 3 minutes and 6 seconds behind the pink jersey, Isaac del Toro. That’s why Italian hopes now rest firmly on Caruso. “Of course, it’s nice to know that Italians see me as a role model. I hope I’m a good one. I especially want to be a good example for Antonio, because there’s still some room for improvement,” said the Italian, still a bit critical of his teammate.

And when asked who he thinks will win the Giro in Rome, Caruso didn’t hesitate. “Carapaz,” he answered without blinking.

Read also

Write a comment

Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief

Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.

Bram van der Ploeg | Lindkedin | Email

See author's posts

IDL-productions

Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race

Pogačar, Vingegaard and Van Aert went faster again in 2026... except when they didn't

Team GB dominate, China on the rise, Lavreysen the best ever? Five takeaways from the 2026 Track World Championships

Track World Championships day 2: A golden day for Team GB, Levreysen goes 2 for 2, and Kopecky eliminates the competition

Rumours, speculation and guesswork: 2027 Tour de France route will be revealed live on October 22 in Paris

Latest Cycling News

Vote for the best mens rider of the 2026 cycling season: Pogačar, Pidcock, Vingegaard, McNulty, and more

Alberto Contador thinks 2027 Tour de France will be different: 'Pogačar is only this good because of Vingegaard'

Bas Tietema chats with Wout Poels about why he's staying with Unibet Rose Rockets for one more year

Former cyclocross star and Indurain's lead-out man, now 62: 'Struggling with an opponent he can’t shake'

Vanthourenhout guiltily admits wrongdoing after confrontation with Scot Cameron Mason: 'That's a closed chapter'

Popular Cycling News

99 steps await the European Cyclocross Championship competitors: 'There’s no hill quite like it'

Cameron Mason brushes off Vanthourenhout's angry abuse : 'A taste of his own medicine'

Video shows Vanthourenhout lashing out at Brit Cameron Mason after mistake costs him the win at Middelkerke

Wout van Aert's 2027 Calendar | There is one big title missing from his list of wins...