Tiberi, the apology of the cyclist who shot the minister’s cat: “I am ashamed” – Corriere.it

“I deeply regret what happened. Shooting the cat was a terribly stupid and irresponsible gesture whose seriousness and danger I only realized in retrospect
». She has decided not to hide anymore Antonio Tiberithe 21-year-old from Frosinone, a great promise of blue cycling, former world junior time trial champion, che killed a cat last year in the center of San Marino, where he resides for tax reasons, with a powerful air rifle. The Trek-Segafredo rider (suspended without pay for at least 20 days by the Italian-American team, will miss the Laigueglia Trophy, Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico) received a fine of 4000 euros and on Monday, the citizenship of the small republic could be revoked.

Shoot the cat, Tiberi apologizes

I don’t want to find any kind of excuse, “if” or “but” to comment. I accept – wrote the former 2019 junior world champion on his social channels – with a sense of responsibility and repentance, the consequences and the blame for my gesture. If I haven’t spoken about it publicly before (alas, wrongly) it’s only out of a strong sense of shame and regret. I understand the criticism from the fans, the media and people in general. I can’t help but apologize to them, as I did with the team, innocent victims of the affair, for my conduct which is not at all suitable for a professional and, more generally, for a responsible person. I apologize again and publicly to the Minister of San Marino, Pedini Amati, for the emotional damage I have caused him, as well as to the citizens of San Marino. Finally, I repeat to everyone that it was not my intention to kill the cat: it was an accident.

Donation to associations

Tiberi, seventh in the general standings last Sunday at the UAE Tour, concludes by saying that: «Cr
AndI also have a duty not to limit myself to apologies alone, but also to take action with facts. I have therefore decided to make an economic donation based on the prizes I will earn in the current season to some associations in the San Marino area that take care of stray cats, in choosing which I would like to collaborate with the Government. Furthermore, I would like to choose one of these associations and spend some of my free time to help out actively. I realize that all this comes only in retrospect but now I can’t help but follow up my repentance with a concrete and useful gesture. I made a big mistake and I believe that now the only thing I can do is act to fix it».