The 2024 Giro d’Italia came to a close with the traditional procession around the streets of the Italian capital ending in a bunch sprint, won by Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step).
The finish line was on the Via dei Fori Imperiali, site of Roman monuments celebrating the glories of the emperors of Ancient Rome, and on Sunday two new rulers were crowned.
To the names Caesar, Augustus, Nerva and Trajan, were added Tadej Pogačar (UAE), and Team Bahrain Victorious’ Antonio Tiberi.
Pogačar won the overall title at a canter, his winning margin of 9’56” the largest since Vittorio Adorni in 1965. Tiberi became the first Italian to win the ‘Best Young Rider’ classification in nearly a decade, and only the third to do so this century.

“It’s impossible to describe this feeling,” said Antonio. “It’s just like a dream; to be here in my home region, with the Giro white jersey and 5th on GC is just amazing. My family, and the fans are all here, and I feel like I’ve only just begun to understand what I’ve achieved and what it means. It’s super emotional for me, a super special moment.”

Bahrain’s leader took the jersey on Stage 11 and has held it ever since, despite losing nearly a minute to his rivals in the competition on stage 15. His effort on the Mottolino climb – which afterwards he said was the hardest day he’d had on a bike – was a demonstration of digging deep on a ‘jour sans’, that enabled him to hold onto the lead by a few precious seconds. From that day forward, and little by little, he increased the gap to Thymen Arensman (IGD) who finished second.

Performance Manager Vladimir Miholjević reflected on what has been a second consecutive Giro with a Bahrain rider winning a classification:
 “Winning the white jersey on the Giro d’Italia is an achievement for the team that we planned for, to which we dedicated ourselves, and we are super proud. It’s also a result that gives us a good look at what Antonio may be able to do in the future. And with him having signed a contract extension at the start of the race that is very exciting for us and for him. We are ready to support him and help him make the most of the talent that he has”
The foundations of the victory were two phenomenal time trial performances, in both of which Antonio finished 6th. The first, on stage 7, finished with a testing climb to Perugia, before stage 14’s flat test of 31.2km. Add to that a third week in which he showed that – other than Pogačar – he had the best legs and the most courage of the leaders’ group, and the winning margin was 1’42”.
Indeed, but for an unfortunate double puncture on stage 2 which forced the 22-year old to do the final climb with a flat tire, his impressive 5th place on GC would have been even better. There is however, nothing but pride and joy within the team at what this young man has achieved, and anticipation about what he may be capable of.”

Road captain Damiano Caruso has been alongside Antonio every pedal stroke for three weeks, as well as being his roommate!


“I spent almost a month sharing the room with Antonio, and it’s wonderful to now share the emotions of this fantastic achievement in his first Giro d’Italia. I was impressed by how well he managed the pressure from the media, the public, and the team. It’s a testament to his character. He likely felt the pressure—it’s impossible not to—but it’s remarkable how he handled it. He also did an excellent job managing his energy throughout the three weeks, especially in the final stage. I’m glad he listened to my suggestions, keeping everything under control and not being overly worried about the result. By focusing on himself and how he was feeling, he ultimately reached the spot he deserved.”

Although a crash and illness forced Torsten Træen & Phil Bauhaus to abandon, Italians Edoardo Zambanini and Andrea Pasqualon, as well as Jasha Sütterlin and Rainer Kepplinger have been instrumental in this success, and all made it to Rome.
Tiberi himself paid homage to his teammates at this, his first Giro d’Italia:
“The team have been unbelievable. They’ve done such a great job taking care of me, supporting me on the road, and protecting me. But also outside the race we’re had a very good atmosphere and I’m so proud to be here with this team and with this group of guys. I can’t thank them enough,
and the same goes for the fans who have got behind me so much in the roadside, on socials, and everywhere. It’s really humbling to be honest.”

After a gruelling three weeks, Bahrain were once again ‘Victorious’ at the Giro, and the future looks very bright indeed with the young talent coming through in the team. Next on the calendar are the build up races for July’s Tour de France: the Dauphiné and the Tour de Suisse, which we will be riding as always, in memory of Gino Mäder, who lost his life there last year.
Congratulations to Antonio Tiberi, winner of the ‘Maglia Bianca’ for the best young rider at the 2024 Giro d’Italia.

#rideforGino