Italian Antonio Tiberi, who ‘parted methods’ along with his former Trek-Segafredo squad in April after a three-month suspension for capturing a cat, has been confirmed as a brand new mid-season signing for Bahrain Victorious.
Tiberi, 21, was suspended in February by Trek-Segafredo after it emerged that he had killed the cat final June, close to his residence in San Marino, with an air rifle.
Trek-Segafredo then introduced in late April that the rider and squad had “mutually agreed to half methods, efficient instantly, after the rider’s actions throughout his suspension didn’t meet our standards for a return to competitors.”
The previous Junior World TT Champion is now anticipated to begin racing once more, this time in Bahrain Victorious colors, within the Tour de Suisse on June 11.
Talking in a press launch, Bahrain Victorious workforce supervisor Milan Ezren stated “Antonio becoming a member of the workforce is a extremely constructive transfer, each for us and for him. He’s a super-talented child who we consider will thrive on this setting, the place we wish to experience not solely to win, but in addition to encourage the subsequent era.”
“He’s clearly a proficient rider, and may obtain nice issues within the sport, however simply as vital for us is his private progress and schooling. Antonio has made some errors, however he realises that, and our deal with self-discipline, character constructing & steering will assist him on a path to long-term success each on and off the bike.”
Tiberi, 21, turned professional in 2020 with the Italian Continental squad Colpack previous to becoming a member of Trek-Segafredo on the finish of that 12 months. This season he had made a promising begin, selecting up eighth total within the Santos Tour Down Below and seventh within the UAE Tour.
Nevertheless, information then broke in February that after he had acquired a 4,000 euro high-quality for capturing the cat, which belonged to San Marino’s Minister of Tourism and former Head of State, Pedini Amati, he had been suspended by his workforce.
On the time Tiberi issued an announcement expressing deep remorse for his actions, which he known as “tremendously silly and irresponsible.”
“My intention was merely to measure the weapon’s capturing vary, so I used to be concentrating on a no parking signal,” Tiberi stated, in response to Il Corriere della Sera.
“I additionally admit that I (simply as foolishly and unconsciously) tried to shoot a cat. And to my shock, I really shot it. I had no intention of killing the animal. In actual fact, I used to be satisfied the weapon was non-lethal.”
Tiberi confessed the crime when questioned by police in November, however Pedini Amati then argued the punishment – a €4,000 high-quality and the confiscation of the air rifle – was too mild, sustaining that the rider also needs to have had his residency revoked.
“The cat wasn’t bothering anybody,” Amati stated in response to Il Corriere.
“It had been with us for a very long time. My three-year-old daughter Lucia adored it. You’ll be able to’t kill a pet and get away with a €4,000 high-quality. I appreciated that the man admitted the actual fact. That stated, we need not give these individuals residency.”
It has not but emerged if Tiberi continues to be a resident of San Marino.
Talking in the identical press launch that confirmed his signing with Bahrain Victorious, Tiberi himself referred considerably euphemistically to his suspension and the cat-shooting incident as “an enforced cease” and “the error made up to now” however stated he was wanting ahead to shifting forward with a brand new squad.
“I’m delighted to begin a brand new chapter in my profession with Workforce Bahrain Victorious from each a efficiency side and a human perspective. Wanting from the surface, it has all the time appeared like a well-organized and strong workforce, so I didn’t hesitate once I acquired the provide.”
“I already know some Italian workers members and riders, and all people within the group has welcomed me warmly. With the assistance of this workforce, I’ll reveal that I realized from the error made up to now.”
“I began my 2023 season effectively, however after an enforced cease, possibly I’ll undergo a bit in selecting up the tempo. I wish to come again racing so badly, so I’m coaching at altitude to organize for my return on Swiss roads subsequent week.”
“It’s a fantastic problem, and I wish to repay the boldness of the individuals who gave me this chance in the very best approach. Will probably be a path that can assist me be a greater bike owner and a greater man.”
