Cycling: Mathieu van der Poel has won the fifth stage of Tirreno - Adriatico. The Dutch champion was able to prevail in the cold and wet ahead of Tadej Pogacar and Wout van Aert. Contrary to what was expected, today there was a big fight between the favorites, so that all professionals reached the finish line individually or in small groups.
Van der Poel shows his class
Although yesterday's section was described as the king's stage, today the cycling fans got to see what is probably the most interesting race from Tirreno - Adriatico in years. Emerge as big winners Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Fenix) as stage winner and Tadej pogacar (UAE) first overall. In cold and wet conditions, the Dutchman and the Slovenian crossed the finish line in Castelfidardo as soloists in 1st and 2nd place. Before that, they covered 205 kilometers after the start in Castellalto - and they were really tough.
An abnormal course of the race
First the stage started as usual. Five breakaways were able to break away from the main field. Robert Stannard (BikeExchange), Jonas Rickaert (Alpecin-Fenix), bilbao hair (Bahrain-Victorious), David Ballerini (Deceuninck – Quick Step) and Filippo Gana (Ineos) were only able to extend their lead in the flat first half of the race though. After that, the favorites began to tear each other apart. Mathieu van der Poel it was finally who, as a harmless man for the general classification, rode a solo attack. Behind them, the peloton got smaller and smaller until it finally didn't exist anymore. 16 pursuers disagreed before this group also fell apart on hilly terrain.
Also Pogacar & Van Aert on the road as soloists
The stage win seemed Mathieu van der Poel no longer to be taken. With a lead of almost three minutes and only 15 kilometers to go, it was only a question of second place - and of course the overall ranking. Tadej pogacar succeeded, adversary wout van aert (Jumbo – Visma) to distance. He was also a soloist for the last few kilometers and the number of cameras was no longer sufficient to capture all the interesting racing situations. Shortly afterwards, Wout van Aert was in the picture again. The Belgian completed the podium as the third soloist.
Van der Poel breaks in but saves himself
In the last few kilometers, the almost inhuman-looking showed Mathieu van der Poel then human traits. His lead of almost three minutes collapsed. The facial features slipped and the kick became more and more difficult. But the cross-country world champion managed to cross the finish line with the last of his strength, but he couldn't celebrate anymore. 10 seconds later almost reached footed Tadej pogacar the goal. The Slovenian takes adversaries wout van aert valuable seconds and is therefore close to the overall victory.
And we say: Thank you guys for this great race!
🇳🇱@mathieuvdpoel of 🇧🇪@AlpecinFenix wins stage 5 of 🇮🇹@TirrenAdriatico #TirrenoAdriatico (📺@RaiSport) pic.twitter.com/qm0md1AzcH
- World Cycling Stats (@wcsbike) March 14, 2021
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