German professional cyclist Lennard Kämna has taken the overall lead in the week-long Italian stage race Tirreno-Adriatico.
The 26-year-old from Team Bora-hansgrohe reached the finish of the 218 km long fourth stage from Greccio to Tortoreto within striking distance of the group of top favorites and is now six seconds ahead of the three-time Vuelta winner Primoz Roglic in the overall standings.
“I’m super happy that it was enough to take over the overall classification. I think it will be very, very difficult to defend it. But it’s a wonderful snapshot. I’m very happy about it,” said Kämna.
The Slovenian Roglic celebrated his first win of the season. The 33-year-old from Team Jumbo-Visma, who wants to fight for overall victory at the Giro d’Italia in May, sprinted ahead of former world champion Julian Alaphilippe (France/Soudal-Quick Step) and Adam Yates (Great Britain/UAE Emirates). .
“It’s always nice to win. It’s nice to be back,” said Roglic, who is contesting his first race since last year’s Vuelta.
Two top stars fell just before the short but intense final ascent to Tortoreto, which had to be conquered four times. Belgian Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and Brit Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) fell after contact but were able to continue the race.
A preliminary decision in the battle for overall victory will be made on Friday. The 168 km long fifth stage leads from Morro d’Oro to the mountain finish in Sarnano-Sassotetto. The final climb is 13.1 km long with an average gradient of 7.3 percent.