Antonio Tiberi, the professional rider who used an air rifle to kill a cat belonging to the former head of state for San Marino, has had his contract with Trek-Segafredo terminated by mutual consent, according to a team announcement.
The 21-year-old Italian had served a suspension without pay but the team have said his actions during his time away from racing “did not meet our criteria for a return to competion.” Trek-Segafredo added that Tiberi is now free to sign with another team.
Tiberi was handed a €4,000 fine by the courts after his conviction in February. Trek also suspended him for 20 days and donated his salary for that period to an animal-welfare charity. The cat’s owner, Pedini Amati, who still holds office as the Minister of Tourism, said Tiberi should also have his San Marino residency permit taken away.
“I deeply regret my shameful actions …” Tiberi said after the court ruling. “I accept with a sense of responsibility and repentance the consequences and the blame for my action.” Trek never formally announced an end to Tiberi’s suspension, and his last race for the team was the UAE Tour, which ended two days before his court sentence. But his departure was apparently not due solely to the original offence.
“Trek-Segafredo and Antonio Tiberi have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately, after the rider’s actions during his suspension did not meet our criteria for a return to competition,” the statement read. “With the rider’s contract now terminated, he is free to sign with another team. No further comments will be given at this time.”
We asked Trek-Segafredo for more information regarding Tiberi’s actions during his suspension that led to his termination, but the team declined comment.
Bahrain Victorious are said to be the frontrunners to sign Tiberi, who won the men’s junior time trial at the 2019 World Championships, with Astana-Qazaqstan having also been linked.
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