Tirreno AdriaticoThe shortened queen stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico has also become a prey for Primoz Roglic. The 33-year-old Jumbo-Visma rider was the strongest in an uphill sprint for the second consecutive day. The Slovenian also took the lead in the general classification thanks to the 10 seconds bonus.
The weather gods impose their will on the cycling peloton this Friday. The sixth stage in Paris-Nice was completely canceled due to strong winds and fallen trees. Cycling was possible in the Tirreno-Adriatico, although the fifth stage was slightly shortened. High winds were expected in the finish, the ski area of Sassotetto at an altitude of just under 1,500 meters, so the line was drawn 2.4 kilometers earlier on the final climb.
Primoz Roglic was already the strongest in an uphill sprint on the Wall of Tortoreto the day before. However, the Slovenian conceded 6 counts to the leader’s jersey Lennard Kämna in the general classification, with the entire top 10 within half a minute. In the queen stage with five climbs in the last 50 kilometers, there was a lot at stake. After all, the riders only had tomorrow’s hill stage and a flat final stage ahead of them.
A breakaway of six riders was formed early in the day, but as is the case with all of this Tirreno, the escapees had little success. It was mainly watching the favorites, who were all together in the most important phase of the game. Towards the foot of the last col to Sassotetto (10.7 kilometers at 7.3%), Movistar set the pace on behalf of Enric Mas. Bora-Hansgrohe was also well placed with classification leader Kämna and contender Aleksandr Vlasov, with Roglic’s Jumbo-Visma and the number 5 in the classification Wilco Kelderman not far behind.
With 6 kilometers to climb, the men of UAE Team Emirates took it a step further. Damiano Caruso took care of the next selection with an attack. In the chase they were looking at each other and that gave the 35-year-old Italian the chance to cycle a gap of 25 seconds in windy conditions. In the end, however, it started with the favorites and the lead quickly declined. It was sprinting again and Roglic, dropped by Kelderman, was the fastest, ahead of Giulio Ciccone and Tao Geoghegan Hart.
The win also gave the Slovenian 10 bonus seconds, enough to become the new leader. In the new position, Kämna follows on 4 counts. João Almeida completes the provisional podium, Kelderman follows 19 seconds behind his leader Roglic in fifth.
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