Twelve years ago, on the roads of the Euregio, Vincenzo Nibali laid the first stone towards his definitive consecration, winning the Giro del Trentino before triumphing at the Giro d'Italia. An unforgettable edition, that of 2013, which started precisely from Lienz, the capital of Osttirol where this year's Tour of the Alps will conclude (21-25 April).

A sign of destiny? Perhaps yes, if viewed from Antonio Tiberi's perspective. The rider from Lazio has for years been the prime candidate to inherit the "Shark's" legacy in stage races, which have been so stingy with satisfaction for Italian colors since the Messina native's retirement, and is expected to make the definitive quality leap.

Antonio Tiberi believes in it, and so does Bahrain-Victorious, the team that decided to trust him and build the squad around him for stage races. A choice rewarded in 2024 with third place at Tour of the Alps and the best young rider jersey, the latter achievement repeated at the Giro d'Italia where he finished just off the podium in fourth position.

"This year I will again take part in Tour of the Alps, the race that gave me morale and the right confidence in 2024. The difference is that this year I feel more ready and stronger: I will be at the start to win," Tiberi began.

A challenge thrown down by the 23-year-old Italian who has approached 2025 with even higher ambitions. His third place at Tirreno-Adriatico further consolidated his confidence as a stage race rider, and he has already meticulously studied the Tour of the Alps stages. "The stage that suits me best is the fourth. It's the queen stage, the decisive day. I've already circled it in red, that day I'll try everything, just like last year in Valsugana when I came very close."

An approach to major events that recalls Nibali's. The Sicilian also regularly chose Giro del Trentino, and later Tour of the Alps, in his path towards the Giro d'Italia. Tiberi will arrive at the San Lorenzo Dorsino start after a high-altitude training camp at Teide and, once the #TotA is finished, will return to altitude to finalize his preparation for the Pink Race.

"Since turning professional, I've been associated with Nibali's image, as his successor. For me, this represents pride but also a stimulus to reach his level, to try to be his successor in terms of results," Tiberi explains. – "We have similar characteristics, which is why our approach to races is very similar: like Vincenzo, I also consider Tour of the Alps an essential appointment before the Giro d'Italia, due to the quality of its routes and its calendar placement".

Italy has been waiting twelve years for a new champion on the Euregio roads. A wait that weighs heavily and makes one dream. The pressure is high, the desire for Italian cycling to become great again even more so. Antonio Tiberi has the opportunity to take the decisive step, to transform from promise to champion. Tour of the Alps represents the most severe and truthful of exams. From the Maglia Verde Melinda to the pink jersey of the Giro d'Italia, the road is traced: now it's up to Tiberi to travel it.