Xandro Meurisse second in 5th stage Tirreno-Adriatico

Warren Barguil (Arkéa Samsic) won the fifth stage in Tirreno-Adriatico (WorldTour) on Friday. The thirty-year-old Frenchman took it after 155 kilometers, with a start in Sefro and an uneven finish in Fermo, ahead of Xandro Meurisse (Alpecin-Fenix) and the Italian Simone Velasco (Astana).

Barguil was part of an early breakaway and drove away from his fellow refugees in the final kilometers. In the steep streets of Fermo he soloed to victory. It is for Barguil his seventh professional victory.

Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) showed up in the background with an attack 9 kilometers before the finish. Leader Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) followed, but the trio were misdirected due to an organization error. Evenepoel had to chase for a while, but eventually returned in the group of favorites. The toppers finished together. Tadej Pogacar finished sixth and remains leader, Evenepoel finished ninth.

The queen stage awaits the riders in Tirreno-Adriatico on Saturday. The peloton is presented with 215 kilometers between the start place Apecchio and the finish in Carpegna. The final is colored by a double ascent of Monte Carpegna, 6 km at 9.9 percent, and a descent to the finish.