Van der Poel’s spectacle, Pogačar’s test of strength

The Dutch national champion takes a second win after a 50km solo effort despite running out of energy at the end

The top riders of the Tirreno-Adriatico started the battle with 70km to go in the “stage of the walls” contested in difficult weather conditions. Van der Poel rode away solo with 50km remaining. Several counter attacks took shape, one forming a trio with Marc Soler, Fabio Felline and Alessandro De Marchi. They were overhauled by Pogačar who attacked his GC rival Van Aert 17km before the end. As Van der Poel struggled towards the finale, his advantage of 2’48” vanished but he preserved 10” seconds over Pogačar while Van Aert rounded out the podium.

STAGE RESULT

1 – Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix), 205km in 4h48’17”, average speed 42.666kph

2 – Tadej Pogačar (UAE-Team Emirates) at 10”

3 – Wout van Aert (Team Jumbo-Visma) at 49”

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1 – Tadej Pogačar (UAE-Team Emirates)

2 – Wout van Aert (Team Jumbo-Visma) at 1’15”

3 – Mikel Landa (Bahrain – Victorious) at 3’00”

4 – Egan Arley Bernal Gomez (Ineos Grenadiers) at 3’30”

5 – Matteo Fabbro (Bora-Hansgrohe) at 3’54”

Le Maglie dei leaders e le statistiche

Maglia Azzurra (blue), General Classification Leader, sponsored by Sara Assicurazioni – Tadej Pogačar (UAE-Team Emirates)

Maglia Ciclamino (cyclamen), General Individual Classification by Points Leader, sponsored by Segafredo Zanetti – Wout van Aert (Team Jumbo-Visma)

Maglia Verde (green), King of the Mountains Classification Leader, sponsored by Enel – Tadej Pogačar (UAE-Team Emirates); to be worn by Mads Würtz Schmidt (Israel Start-Up Nation)

Maglia Bianca (white), Young Rider General Classification Leader, sponsored by Sportful – Tadej Pogačar (UAE-Team Emirates); to be worn by Egan Arley Bernal Gomez (Ineos Grenadiers)

STATISTICS

A third stage win for Mathieu van der Poel, the same number as Julian Alaphilippe and Mark Cavendish. Among current professional riders, only Peter Sagan has won more stages of the Tirreno-Adriatico (7). In the past, just one Dutch rider has won more stages than him: Erik Breukink (4).

Van der Poel’s first win at Tirreno-Adriatico came last year in Loreto, only 8km away from Castelfidardo.

Wout van Aert has concluded all of the first five stages in the top 10: winner, 3rd, 2nd, 9th and 3rd.

Finish line quotes and tomorrow's Stage

The stage winner Mathieu van der Poel said: “I got cold and I wanted to race from far out on the lap. We made a front group of twenty good riders but we didn’t work well together. I found myself away alone in a descent while I was eating. I felt good until the last 20km then I was extremely cold and my body was empty. I was too cold to put something on. I didn’t expect to be so cold. For sure this was one of my toughest days on the bike. I’m happy to take the win because I didn’t have much left over Tadej [Pogačar]. I’m really happy to finish it off.”

The Maglia Azzurra and leader of the GC Tadej Pogačar commented: “I attacked at the end when I saw there was a chance to drop Wout van Aert. I had good legs for this freezing weather so I tried. I made a gap and I reached the finish line in a good position with a nice advantage so I’m really happy. Anything can happen in cycling but I hope everything will go smoothly until the end of the Tirreno-Adriatico and I’ll keep my focus until the finish line of the last stage.”

Wout van Aert, in the Maglia Ciclamino, said: “I was aiming for the stage win but you saw how the finale went and Tadej [Pogačar] was stronger than me and everybody else. I expected that Mathieu [van der Poel] would try early. He did an impressive effort. Tadej has definitely showed that he’s the strongest and he’s now too far in front of me on the GC. I’m in good position for getting second place overall. I’ll also try to win another stage but first of all I have to recover from this very hard race.”

TOMORROW’S STAGE

Stage 6, Castelraimondo – Lido di Fermo (169km)

An initially undulating stage that flattens out almost entirely along a closing circuit (ridden for 1 long lap and 4 smaller laps). After the riders arrive in Fermo, the route crosses the finish line to begin the long lap that heads back up to the town before descending back to the Tre Archi and crossing the line. Four smaller laps are then ridden.

Last km

Four short laps are covered in the finale, each ascending the first kilometer of the Capodarco climb before heading back to San Marco and then arriving at the finish. The stage ends with a flat finishing straight, 8.5m wide, with an asphalt surface.

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