Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quick Step) imposed himself for the first time on the roads of Tirreno-Adriatico as he won a bunch sprint in Foligno, beating no less than triple world champion Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and his arch-rival, Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates).
Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) came safely home to retain the lead in the overall classification.
The stage winner, Elia Viviani, said: “It’s been a pretty quiet stage. Sometimes, breakaway riders take up to a 12-minute lead. Today we made a deal straight away with UAE Team Emirates so we controlled the race with one rider each. The finish was technical but the last curve wasn’t dangerous. Peter Sagan launched the sprint sitting on his saddle. He’s not a pure sprinter but, after 230km of racing, he can beat any of us. Fortunately, I still had some extra speed that we’re never sure to have left at the end of such a long race. This is my first race on Italian soil wearing the tricolour jersey so I’m enjoying every moment even more.
“I am very happy with this win and continuing my good form. This victory is important in my build-up to Milano-Sanremo not only confidence-wise, but also because it came in Italy with the national champion jersey on my shoulders. Having it is an honour, that’s why I’m trying to enjoy every single moment and give something to cheer about to all the Italian fans who come to see me”, a smiling Elia said after bringing the home nation’s first win in four years at Tirreno-Adriatico.
Viviani praised his teammates, who were once again prominent at the front and played an important role in his success as he became the first reigning Italian Champion in 15 years to score a stage win at the race: “The guys did a remarkable job and we remained calm at all times despite the break having a big advantage at one point. The tricky finish made things chaotic and Sagan came out first from the last bend, but I was in a good position thanks to Styby and had a powerful sprint, which helped me maintain my perfect start to the season, with victories in all the races I’ve started with Deceuninck – Quick-Step.”
The Maglia Azzurra, Adam Yates, said: “The next two stages are definitely the hardest of the race. Stage 5 looks pretty nasty but, as I said before, we’ll take it stage by stage. The guys looked after me all day. They kept me fresh for tomorrow and we’ll try something. I have two opportunities to gain the time I need before the closing ITT. If it’s tomorrow, it’s great; otherwise I’ll wait for another day.”
Viviani scored the 155th Italian victory in the history of Tirreno-Adriatico but it’s the first one since Adriano Malori took the inaugural individual time trial in 2015. It’s been the longest drought for Italian riders in the Race of the Two Seas: 24 stages won by foreigners. Malori was also Italian time-trial champion when he won at Lido di Camaiore. The last Italian road-racing champion to win a stage at Tirreno-Adriatico was Paolo Bettini – stage 4 to Paglieta in 2004 (he was leading the overall classification and went on to win stage 6 to Torre San Patrizio).
With 17 wins this year, Deceuninck-Quick Step takes the lead of the victories tally among all professional teams for the first time in 2019. Astana is second with 16, Mitchelton-Scott third with 13.
It’s Peter Sagan’s 19th podium in a stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. The first one was stage 3 to Terni in 2012 on the eve of his first stage win in Chieti. The last one was a second place to Marcel Kittel on stage 6 to Fano last year.
TOMORROW’S STAGE: Foligno – Fossombrone 221km
This is a very challenging stage, taking in a number of harsh climbs (“walls”), although not all categorized, especially in the final part. After the first 80km, quite uncomplicated until Cagli, the route ascends to San Gregorio di Fermignano and passes close to the finish. Next, the route takes in climbs up Sant’Ippolito, Villa del Monte (KOM, max. gradient: 19%), Cartoceto and Monteguiduccio (KOM, max. gradient: 19%), and drops down to the finish line in Fossombrone, marking the beginning of the final circuit (to be covered twice).
The route ascends in hairpins up the Cappuccini climb (2.8km), with gradients constantly above 12% and peaks topping out at 19% halfway. The last climb marks 5.6km from the finish line, including 4 km of a fast-running descent with some hairpins, and 1,600m on level road. The home straight is 700m long, on asphalt road, with a mild uphill gradient.
Stage 3 Brief Results:
- Elia Viviani (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) at 5h36’45”
- Peter Sagan (Bora – Hansgrohe) s.t.
- Fernando Gaviria Rendon (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.
General Classification After Stage 3:
- Adam Yates (Mitchelton – Scott)
- Brent Bookwalter (Mitchelton – Scott) s.t.
- Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo – Visma) at 7″
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