Soler, Serrano on the attack under the rain

Tirreno-Adriatico (st. 5)

/ Today’s Route A long stage (205 km) divided in two very different sectors. Starting in Castellalto the riders faced a completely flat 100 km. Then arrived to a circuit, where a wall of almost 15% gradient had to be climbed four times, and again for a fifth one just before the finish line in […]

/ Today’s Route

A long stage (205 km) divided in two very different sectors. Starting in Castellalto the riders faced a completely flat 100 km. Then arrived to a circuit, where a wall of almost 15% gradient had to be climbed four times, and again for a fifth one just before the finish line in Castelfidardo.

The sky didn’t announce what was to come later (c) BettiniPhoto

/ Weather Report

As the race headed north parallell to the Adriatic Sea, wind blew strong from east (20 km/h), temperature was in line with previous stage (14º). Rain threatened again on the flat sector and showed up with strength whenever the climbs arrived.

/ Keys to the Race

Quite a fight at the beginning with several attempts to form a break. Five men succeeded at 40 km from the start and managed to have a 3′ gap with the peloton just before getting into the circuit.

With the break controlled the race went calm until hills and rain appeared (c) BettiniPhoto

Two attacks by Van der Poel (AFC) broke the peloton and made a selection that joined the breakers. Gonzalo Serrano eventually made it to the front group, but a sudden acceleration by Bernal broke the pack in two, leaving our rider in a chasing group.

At 45 km to go Van der Poel went solo. The main contenders regrouped and Gonzalo Serrano made his move, although the chasers caught him just before the third pass of Castelfidardo.

Belgian classic scent on the Adriatic seaside, with a hilly and rainy route that led to attacks by our riders and a victory for Van der Poel from an early move. — Gonzalo Serrano was the first to attack in the chase for Van der Poel (c) BettiniPhoto

Marc Soler made contact with the chasing group on the penultimate lap and responded to a move by Felline (APT), followed by De Marchi (ISN), just before entering the final lap. Pogačar (UAD) joined them shortly after, trying to distance Van Aert (TJV) further on the GC, the Belgian was on close pursue.

The GC battle took over the protagonism, Pogačar (UAD) flew from the break, Van Aert (TJV) contacted Marc group and went alone on the chase for Pogačar minutes later.

Marc Soler took his chance on the last lap (c) BettiniPhoto

Van der Poel (AFC) won the stage followed by Pogačar (UAD) who managed to increase his gap over Van Aert (TJV) with the advantage of the Belgian on the final TT in his mind. Marc Soler ended up 11th and Gonzalo Serrano finished at 18th.

/ Upcoming Goals

Hilly terrain and circuits are the norm in this edition of Tirreno-Adriatico as tomorrow we’ll have another “bumpy” stage starting in Castelraimondo. 169 km with a total of eleven short climbs, ending in a final four lap circuit with a flat finish line in Lido di Fermo.

– Start 12.10 h, arrival from 16.00 h, broadcasted by Eurosport 2 and GCN+ from 13.30 h. (All times GMT+1).

Cover image (c): BettiniPhoto