Antonio Tiberi Secures Second Overall at the UAE Tour
# Antonio Tiberi Rides to Second Place in the UAE Tour, Making History Along the Way
In a remarkable display of talent and tenacity, Antonio Tiberi finished second overall at the UAE Tour, just shy of clinching the coveted red jersey. The 22-year-old Italian marked a significant milestone in the race’s history with an impressive solo victory at Jebel Mobrah, a challenging climb featured for the first time this year. By conquering this ascent, Tiberi became the inaugural winner on its summit, showcasing his exceptional skills and endurance.
The UAE Tour 2026, now in its eighth edition, saw Tiberi stamp his authority, particularly with his Stage 3 win. He attacked decisively, leaving his competitors in his wake and securing his position in the red jersey. His triumph came on February 18, 2026, during the event’s 183 km third stage from Umm al Quwain to Jebel Mobrah.
Heading into Stage 6 with a 21-second lead, Tiberi faced a fierce challenge on the slopes of Jebel Hafeet. Despite the formidable efforts of Isaac Del Toro from UAE Team Emirates XRG, who repeatedly surged ahead, Tiberi couldn’t maintain his lead in the closing kilometers, ultimately losing the race lead after a commendable fight.
However, Tiberi’s performance throughout the seven-day WorldTour was nothing short of impressive, solidifying his formidable form after a strong showing at the Volta Valenciana earlier that month. His extraordinary ride on Jebel Mobrah not only secured Bahrain Victorious’ first stage win at the UAE Tour but also marked the team’s best-ever general classification result at this illustrious race.
With this accolade, Bahrain Victorious has now found itself on the overall podium in four of the last five editions of the UAE Tour, underlining the team’s continued dominance in the region.
Reflecting on his accomplishments, Tiberi expressed his satisfaction, stating, “The race finished today. With second place overall, I can say that I’m really happy with what the team and I achieved. I think we can be very pleased with this week. Yes, it was a really nice victory on Stage 3 — the best win of my career so far. It was especially special as it was also a new climb at the UAE Tour. There were some really hard moments, but I enjoyed every metre. It’s amazing to look back on it now.”
Looking ahead, Tiberi conveyed his eagerness to return, sharing, “I would definitely like to come back. This is the third time I’ve ridden the UAE Tour, and I really like this race. The location is also quite different from the usual races, and I enjoy racing here.”
As the UAE Tour wraps up its 2026 edition, Antonio Tiberi’s perseverance and history-making journey leave a lasting impression on the cycling world and promises exciting prospects for future competitions.
