Simon Yates takes the win and the lead atop Sassotetto

Simon Yates (Mitchelton – Scott) has won the fifth stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico EOLO. After forcing the pace in the final kilometers of the Sassotetto climb with a select group of riders that included Geraint Thomas (Team Ineos), Rafal Majka (Bora – Hansgrohe) and Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana Pro Team), the Briton then attacked again and soloed to win, taking the Maglia Azzurra in the process.

STAGE RESULT

1. Simon Yates (Mitchelton – Scott) – 202km in 5h30’43”, average speed 36.648 km/h
2. Geraint Thomas (Team Ineos) at 35″
3. Rafal Majka (Bora – Hansgrohe) s.t.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Simon Yates (Mitchelton – Scott)
2. Rafal Majka (Bora – Hansgrohe) at 16″
3. Geraint Thomas (Team Ineos) at 39″
4. Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana Pro Team) at 49″
5. Fausto Masnada (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) at 54″

JERSEYS

• Maglia Azzurra (blue), General Classification Leader, sponsored by Gazprom – Simon Yates (Mitchelton – Scott)
• Maglia Arancio (orange), Sprinter Classification Leader, sponsored by Sportful – Pascal Ackermann (Bora – Hansgrohe)
• Maglia Verde (green), King of the Mountains Classification Leader, sponsored by Enel – Hector Carretero (Movistar Team)
• Maglia Bianca (white), Young Rider General Classification Leader, sponsored by Sara Assicurazioni – Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana Pro Team)

STATISTICS

• This is Simon Yates’ first victory at the Tirreno-Adriatico. He is the 9th British rider to win at the race, the previous British stage winner being his twin brother Adam, who took a stage victory at Filottrano in 2018.
• Geraint Thomas, who crossed the line second, completes the first ever British ‘1-2’ stage finish in the Tirreno-Adriatico. Thomas took his third stage podium at the ‘Race of the Two Seas’ today, having previously won Stage 2 and finished second at Terminillo in 2017’s race.
• Rafal Majka has taken his second stage podium at this year’s race, having already finished in second place in Saturnia (Stage 3). In 2018, Majka took the second step on the podium in Stage 4 of the race, riding the very same climb up to Sassotetto to finish.

PRESS CONFERENCE

The stage winner and Maglia Azzurra Simon Yates, said in the press conference: “Today was an important test to see where I am with my form. After having already tried yesterday, I wanted to capitalise on any opportunity that came today. I’m now wearing the Maglia Azzurra but this race is not over yet and Geraint Thomas and Rafal Majka are the main contentenders, especially for the time trial on the last day. Riding the Tirreno-Adriatico, I am building up for the Giro d’Italia, and I’m happy with my current form so far. I’ve developed a lot in the last 2 years, not just as a rider but as a person, so I’m very aware that it takes a calm attitude and patience to win the Giro d’Italia coming up.”

Geraint Thomas said: “In the last climb I was feeling good, but when the attacks started, I waited for Woods to close the gaps at first. Then, he didn’t seem to have the legs so I had to close things down myself; probably not ideal. With the other three riders at the front we were messing around a bit, attacking each other, but that’s just how it goes in cycling. I am pretty happy with my performance, it shows the work that I’ve been doing has been worth it, it’s encouraging.”

The Maglia Bianca Aleksandr Vlasov, said: “It was a hard day, with a lot of ups and down. When Simon Yates attacked I would have followed him but he was climbing too fast, he was the strongest today. The Tirreno-Adriatico is not over yet for me, on Sunday there is another hard stage with many short but steep hills and anything can happen. Then on Monday in the final ITT, the GC might change even more. It will be the first ITT for me this year so I’m looking forward to it.”

The Maglia Verde Hector Carretero said: “Today was a very hard stage, I went in the breakaway but once I got the points I needed for the jersey I decided to slow down and rejoin the peloton. From there, I only thought about arriving at the finish. I will try to keep the jersey, luckily tomorrow looks like it’s going to be an easier day.”

The Maglia Arancio Pascal Ackermann said: “I feel happy and my legs were good today, I was surprised how well I was climbing. Now we look forward to tomorrow where we will have an opportunity to sprint. I won’t have as much support as before in the lead out but I am sure the team will work hard as always and then I will try to get the win.”