Despite the extremely difficult weather conditions, with a strong wind that blew throughout the day, the 5th stage of Tyrrhenian-Adriatic could come to an end. And as in Tortoreto the day before, it’s Primoz Roglic who won at Sassotetto, the rider of the Jumbo Visma having regulated a group of about fifteen runners in the sprint. The Slovenian beat the Italian Julius Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo), le Britannique Tao Geoghegan Hart (INEOS Grenadiers), l’Australia Jai Hindley and the German Lennard Kämna (BORA-hanshroghe). In the game of bonuses, the latter loses the blue jersey in favor of Primoz Roglic. Two stages from the end of the event, the winner of the 2019 edition is 4″ ahead of Feel and 12 out João Almeida (POR / UAE Team Emirates). Arrived within the group of cadors, Thibaut Pinot (FRA / Groupama-FDJ) is clocked in at 47 seconds.
Another victory for Primoz Roglic over Tirreno-Adriatico!
Bouhanni and Simon non-runners, the peloton does not leave much room for the six men in the lead
Nacer Bouhanni (Team Arkéa-Samsic), Jonathan Caicedo, Julius van den Berg (EF Education-EasyPost) and Julian Simon (TotalEnergies) not taking the start, they are 166 to start from Morro d’Oro. Quickly, seven runners take to their heels: Anthony Perez (Courtesy), Eric Fetter (AEOLO-Comet), David Dancers (Soudal Quick-Step), Simon Guglielmi (Team Arkéa-Samsic), Florian Stork (Team DSM), Zdenek Stybar (Team Jayco AlUla) et Quinn Simmons (Trek-Segafredo). With a maximum lead of 3 minutes, this breakaway doesn’t have much time to believe it, which pushes Simmons to get up, the American thus leaving his six runaway companions to continue the adventure without him.
And the rest of the stage gives reason to the winner of a stage on the last Tour de San Juan since 50 kilometers from the finish, the breakaways are only 45 seconds ahead of a pack led by the team BEST-hansgrohe blue jersey Lennard Kämnathen the INEOS Grenadiers of Tao Geoghegan Hart. In the first listed climb of the day, San Ginesio, Eric Fetter et Zdenek Stybar let go in front. In the descent, Simon Guglielmi there is a big scare in a slight curve to the right. If he does not fall, the runner of the Team Arkea-Samsic loses contact with the leading group, and they are thus only three in front of the peloton.
The headwind blocks the race, Damiano Caruso is the first to attack
But a few moments later, there is no one left in front of the pack, Anthony Perez, David Dancers et Florian Stork being taken back. 20 miles from goal, the Movistar Team d’Enrique Mas decides to take matters into his own hands, the objective being to toughen up the race before starting the final climb. No attack is to be reported in the first kilometers of ascent, the strong headwind slowing down the enthusiasm of all the runners. It’s 6 terminals from the goal, when we change direction, that it comes alive, the UAE Team Emirates picking up the pace with David FormoloThen George Bennett.
The first attack is the work of Damian Carusothe Italian of Bahrain Victorious going on the offensive just under 5 kilometers from the summit. A few moments later, Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step) is left behind, just like Alexey Lutsenko (Astana Qazaqstan Team) et Warren Barguil (Team Arkéa-Samsic). While Caruso is about ten seconds ahead of the blue jersey group, Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) decided to react, but the Briton couldn’t tell the difference and the pace slowed.
Damiano Caruso resumed, the discreet Primoz Roglic emerges 100 meters from the line
This suits the leading man, who widens the gap a little, this amounting to more than 20 seconds at 1.5 terminals from the finish. Julius Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) attempts an attack, then Enrique Mas (Movistar Team) places a counter that hurts. The Spaniard is followed by Ciccone, Hugh Carthy (EF Education-EasyPost) and Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious), these four runners making the junction with Caruso. Many runners then return 400 meters from the finish, including Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma). Very discreet so far, the Slovenian comes out of his box 100 meters from the line and lets his speed speak to win the stage and take the blue jersey at Lennard Kämna in the bonus game.