TIRENNO-ADRIATICO. Victory for Caleb Ewan in the sprint in this third stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. The rider from the Lotto-Soudal team is ahead of Arnaud Démare and Olav Kooij on the podium.
[Mis à jour le 8 mars 2022 à 17h23] After a 1st stage marked by the demonstration of Filippo Ganna during the time trial, a victory by Tim Merlier in the sprint during the 2nd stage, Caleb Ewan won this Wednesday, March 9 during the 3rd stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. The Australian, favorite for the stage, is ahead of Frenchman Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ) and Olav Kooij (Team Jumbo-Visma) At the start of the stage, five men paved the way throughout the day: Luca Rastelli (Bardiani- CSF Faizanè), Mattia Bais (Drone Hopper – Androni Giocattoli), Edoardo Zardini (Drone Hopper – Androni Giocattoli), Mirco Maestri (EOLO-Kometa) and Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux) but the breakaway was resumed 47 kilometers from the finish.
Note that Amelia’s intermediate sprint allowed four riders to make the hole 25 kilometers from the finish, including Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates) who took 3 seconds from Filippo Ganna (Team Ineos Grenadiers) and Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl). An attack in vain for the cyclists caught 12 kilometers from the finish, giving way to the sprinters and the Australian Caleb Ewan who won this 4th stage of Tirreno-Adriatico ahead of Arnaud Démare and Olav Kooij who completed the podium. Nacer Bouhanni, sprinter from the Arkéa-Samsic team finished 4th.
The runners have an appointment with seven stages in this mythical race. Regarding the route, there will be something for everyone with a first time trial stage in Lido di Camaiore, 13.9 kilometers long. Three days rather intended for sprinters will follow before two finishes where the Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe will have a card to play. A mountain stage will precede the last day of the race on Sunday March 13.
Among the 37 successes of Julian Alaphilippe in his career, only three relate to general classifications of stage victories (Tour of California (2016), Slovenia and Great Britain (2018)). So the reigning double world champion wants to correct the situation during this 57th edition of Tirreno-Adriatico where stages correspond to his profile as a climber-puncher. Alaphilippe does not arrive in the best conditions for this week, victim of a fall on Saturday March 5 during the Strade Bianche.
Heavy fall for Julian Alaphilippe
Surprised by the wind and a runner who fell just in front of him, the world champion was the victim of an impressive cabriole which will probably prevent him from playing for the win in Siena!#LesRP @alafpolak1 pic.twitter.com/POD6JRkTsB
— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) March 5, 2022
Tirreno-Adriatico title holder Tadej Pogacar is aiming for the double this year. The route contains only one mountain stage, the penultimate which will arrive at the bottom of the double ascent of Monte Carpegna: “It’s the queen stage, but on a race like this, you have to be vigilant every days. The bonuses could be significant too.” Winner of the Stade Bianche on Saturday March 5, the Slovenian will face Julian Alaphilippe, Remco Evenepoel, Jonas Vingegaard or Richard Carapaz.
After Caleb Ewan’s victory in the sprint during the third stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, the general classification remains the same. Filippo Ganna retains the blue jersey ahead of Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogacar.