Bahrain warn Tiberi after disappointing season: ‘He can't afford many more missteps’

“We expected a lot from Antonio, but he went largely unnoticed in many of his races,” Pellizotti said in an interview with Lega del Ciclismo Professionistico, reflecting on a season in which the 25-year-old struggled to live up to expectations.

Tiberi had started the year impressively, winning the mountain stage to Jebel Mobrah at the UAE Tour before finishing second overall behind Isaac del Toro. It appeared to be a promising response to a difficult 2025 campaign, but that early form never translated into the results Bahrain had hoped for at the Tour de France.

The Italian finished 37th overall in Paris, more than three hours behind Tadej Pogačar, without seriously challenging for the general classification or a stage victory.

Pellizotti admitted that Bahrain may have made the wrong decision by sending Tiberi to France rather than the Giro d'Italia, where he had finished fifth overall and won the young rider classification in 2024.

"For an Italian rider, the Giro offers greater motivation," he explained, acknowledging that the team might have handled Tiberi's calendar differently.

However, Pellizotti was considerably less forgiving about the way his rider approached the Tour once his general classification ambitions had disappeared.

“At the Tour de France, he should at least have fought for stage wins. He could have joined breakaways. Instead, he was always chasing,” Pellizotti said.

The criticism comes despite signs of improvement in the closing months of the season. Tiberi recorded several top ten finishes in the Italian autumn classics before finishing second overall at the CRO Race, just four seconds behind winner Tobias Svarre. He also secured the mountains classification.

Pellizotti acknowledged those results, although he pointed out that the Italian one day races are not necessarily suited to Tiberi's strengths, particularly when they finish in bunch sprints.

Tiberi's lack of consistency has become more difficult to overlook given the performances of his teammates.

Lenny Martinez finished fifth at the 2026 Tour de France, while 20-year-old Jakob Omrzel enjoyed a remarkable debut at the Vuelta a España, claiming a stage victory and finishing seventh overall.

Afonso Eulálio also made a significant breakthrough at the Giro d'Italia. The Portuguese rider spent nine days in the pink jersey before securing sixth place overall and the young rider classification.

Those results have given Bahrain several promising options for its future Grand Tour ambitions. They have also changed the circumstances for Tiberi, who was previously regarded as one of the team's leading prospects for three week races.

Pellizotti insisted that Bahrain still believes in the Italian, who remains under contract until the end of 2027, but made clear that the expectations have not changed.

“But from now on, he can't afford many more missteps. We also have other emerging young talents in the team,” the sports director warned.

Despite the criticism, Bahrain appears prepared to give Tiberi another opportunity to establish himself as a Grand Tour leader.

Speaking to Tuttobiciweb following the presentation of the 2027 Giro d'Italia route, Pellizotti confirmed that the Italian is currently part of the team's provisional plans.

"For now, Tiberi is in our plans for the Giro," he said, explaining that the final race programmes will be discussed during Bahrain's December training camp in Calpe.

Pellizotti believes the route could suit Tiberi, with two individual time trials offering opportunities for a rider who combines climbing ability with a strong performance against the clock. The demanding final week, featuring the Mortirolo and Monte Zoncolan, will nevertheless require him to arrive in considerably better condition than he managed at this year's Tour.

"Antonio needs the warmth of the fans," Pellizotti added, pointing to the emotional importance of a race that features two stages in Tiberi's home region of Lazio and finishes in Rome.

Tiberi himself is keen to return to the race where he achieved the biggest result of his career.

"I'm working to return to my 2024 level and, why not, do even better," he told Sky Sport at the route presentation.