Tirreno-Adriatico (st. 4)

The mountains of the Abruzzo region shaped today the GC of Tirreno-Adriatico 2021 in a stage that changed the leader after many attacks on the final climb.

/ Today’s Route

The first and only high mountain stage of this Tirreno-Adriatico. 148 km with two major climbs: Passo Capannelle (3.8 km with 4.5 % average gradient) and the arrival at Prati di Tivo (14.6 km with 7% average).

/ Weather Report

Sunny and clear day (16ºC), western wind (13km/h) that pushed the riders to the east. Temperatures dropped by a few degrees and snow made it’s appearance on the side of the road in both Passo Capannielle and Prati di Tivo.

/ Keys to the Race

• Five men broke from the peloton a rapidly built a gap bigger to 9′, UAD and TJV managed the chase at the peloton. The advantage kept at 8′ until the start of Passo Capannelle where the break lost two men.

• At the foot of Prato di Tivo the three breakers had less than 4′ and IGD took the leadership of the main group preparing for the attacks of Bernal and Thomas at 8 to go. This moves led to a selection of sixteen men in which Dario Cataldo was present.

• Pogačar (UAD) counterattacked at 5 to the summit, eventually catching the remnants of the early break, along with Thomas (IGD) who couldn’t keep the Slovenian’s pace.

• After several moves by Bernal (IGD), Simon Yates (BEX) went into the chase for Pogačar in a wrestle that lasted up to the finish line, were the UAE rider took the win. Marc Soler and Dario Cataldo ended up three minutes behind the new race leader.

/ Upcoming Goals

Tomorrow’s stage (205 km) is divided in two very different sectors. First a completely flat 100 km that from the depart in Castelalto. Then a circuit, where the riders will face a wall of almost 15% gradient four times, and again for a fifth one just before the finish line in Castelfidardo.

– Start 11.00 h, arrival from 15.59 h, broadcasted by Eurosport 2 and GCN+ from 13.30 h. (All times GMT+1).

Cover image (c): BettiniPhoto