CYCLING – ANTONIO Tiberi will headline Team Bahrain Victorious’s general classification ambitions at the UAE Tour – the Middle East’s only UCI World Tour stage race, held across seven stages starting from today and continuing until Sunday next week.
The team returns to a race where it has consistently delivered strong performances in recent years, including three podium finishes in the last four editions through Pello Bilbao. This season, leadership shifts to the next generation, with Tiberi stepping forward to guide the team’s GC challenge following an encouraging start to the year and a fourth-place finish at the Volta Valenciana.
Now firmly establishing himself as a contender in week-long stage races, the Italian arrives in confident form and ready to target the overall classification on a course that rewards both climbing strength and time trial ability.
The eighth edition of the UAE Tour presents a slightly reshaped route that should make the general classification (GC) battle more selective than in previous years.
The first key test comes early with stage two’s 12.2 km individual time trial (ITT) on Hudayriyat Island, where we will see the first meaningful time gaps.
Attention then turns to the mountains. Stage three introduces a new challenge to the race with the summit finish on Jebel Mobrah, replacing Jebel Jais. The climb measures 13.2km at an average gradient of 8.1 per cent, steeper and more irregular than its predecessor, potentially creating bigger splits among the favourites.
The decisive moment is expected on the penultimate stage with the iconic Jebel Hafeet summit finish – a climb that has historically crowned the overall winner and remains the race’s ultimate proving ground for GC contenders.
Outside of the climbs and time trial, the remaining stages are likely to favour the sprinters, although crosswinds and echelons on the exposed desert roads can quickly reshape the race and demand full-team vigilance.
While Tiberi leads the GC charge, Bahrain Victorious brings a balanced line-up capable of competing across all terrains.
Daniel Skerl will target the sprint opportunities. Entering his second professional season, the young Italian continues to show progress and confidence after finishing seventh on the Breakwater stage last year and delivering strong performances earlier this season.
Road captain Damiano Caruso provides invaluable experience and climbing support, acting as Tiberi’s key lieutenant in the decisive uphill finishes. Afonso Eulalio and Rainer Kepplinger return to racing in the Gulf following a successful showing at the Al Ula Tour, adding depth and versatility in the hills. Mathijs Paasschens offers strength and protection on the flat stages, while Nikias Arndt brings experience in crosswind conditions and will guide Skerl through the sprint lead-outs.
Bahrain Victorious sports director Franco Pellizotti said: “The guys are doing very well and the team atmosphere is strong. We’ve been close to a win already this season and we feel it’s only a matter of time before everything comes together. Hopefully that moment arrives here in the UAE.
“Antonio will be our leader. He has started the season well and his condition is improving step by step. The new climb is an unknown for everyone, but we’re confident. The whole team will ride for him, protecting him on the flat stages and supporting him in the mountains, while Skerl gives us opportunities in the sprints. We believe we can be competitive across all terrain.”
Tiberi returns to the UAE Tour having last competed in the race in 2023, where he impressed with a strong top 10 overall finish, and is now looking at competing for the podium.
“I raced the UAE Tour in 2023 and I still remember it really well,” Tiberi said. “It’s always a race that gives me a nice feeling when I think about it. It’s such a different place compared to what we’re used to in Europe, something unique, and that makes it special.
“Going back, I have some memories – the bad being a crash in the ITT, but the good was placing in the top 10.
“After the good performance recently in Volta Valencianca, my confidence is high and of course I go there with ambitions. The goal is to fight for the GC and be up there with the best guys. The longer climbs and the time trial should suit me, so we’ll try to make the difference there.
“We also have this new climb which looks pretty hard, so I think it will be a key moment for the race and maybe create some bigger gaps. It should make things interesting and I am hoping for a good UAE Tour.”
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