photo credit @ Twitter
Jens Debusschere (Lotto-Soudal) claimed stage 1 of this year’s Tirreno-Adriatico, after emerging victorious from a 153 kilometer crash-marred stage from Camaiore to Cascina, Italy.
“It was really hectic today. The last five kilometers, the speed went full gas up,” said the winner. “No one could make a proper lead-out. We managed to place ourselves in the Quick-Step train. And I could come out [in the sprint].
“I think, after the Belgian championship, this is the nicest victory in my career.”
Race Highlights
A small breakaway group containing Edoardo Zardini (Bardiani-CSF), Carlos Quintero (Colombia) and Cristiano Salerno (Bora-Argon 18), got underway early on in today’s race. From there, the escapees went to establish a substantial seven minute lead over the peloton. However, as the race reached the final 15 kilometer mark, they were caught.
With just 11 kilometers remaining, a crash occurred within the field, subsequently ensnaring riders like Matteo Pelucchi (IAM Cycling) and Orica-GreenEdge’s Adam Yates.
As the race enter into the final 10 kilometers, teams such as Tinkoff-Saxo, MTN-Qhubeka and Astana, began ushering their respective sprinters to the front.
With two kilometers left, Zdenek Stybar (Etixx-Quick-Step) took up the pacing setting amid several MTN-Qhubeka riders.
However, it was Edvald Boasson-Hagen (MTN-Qhubeka), who led the field into the final kilometer. However, at that moment, the peloton was plagued by yet another crash, this time claiming Team Sky’s Elia Viviani and Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) as its victims.
Apparently, Viviani had touched Mark Cavendish’s wheel, which in turn set-off a chain reaction, leaving a group of just 10 riders able to contest the final sprint.
It was Debusschere who emerged from the chaos, after spring-boarding from the wheel of an MTN rider, to seize the victory.
Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) followed in second place, with Bennett (Bora-Argon 18) rounding out the podium in third spot.
“Today was not so easy, but we stayed out of the three crashes,” said race leader Adriano Malori (Movistar), who kept his overall lead. “It was very stressful in the group, with a lot of crosswind. With 200 riders, crashes are bound to happen. I was happy to have the jersey today, but tomorrow, Sagan, Cancellara, or Greg Van Avermaet will probably take it.” With the time bonus for second place, Sagan moved up to second overall on the same time as Malori, ahead of Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing), who is now third.
“It was very dangerous, but I was in good position and avoided the crashes,” said Sagan. “Today was fast, and I was second so tomorrow is more my style, and I hope to finish even better. The condition is improving, and I want to get a win for the team.”
Stage 2 Results
BEL 1 DEBUSSCHERE, Jens (LOTTO SOUDAL) 3:30:18 SVK 2 SAGAN, Peter (TINKOFF – SAXO) IRL 3 BENNETT, Sam (BORA-ARGON 18) RUS 4 PORSEV, Alexander (KATUSHA) USA 5 FARRAR, Tyler (MTN – QHUBEKA) DEN 6 NIELSEN, Magnus Cort (ORICA GreenEDGE) GER 7 KLUGE, Roger (IAM CYCLING) ITA 8 RUFFONI, Nicola (BARDIANI CSF) AUS 9 DEMPSTER, Zakkari (BORA-ARGON 18) AUS 10 RENSHAW, Mark (ETIXX – QUICK STEP)
General Classification after Stage 2 ITA 1 MALORI, Adriano (MOVISTAR) 3:36:22 SVK 2 SAGAN, Peter (TINKOFF – SAXO) SUI 3 CANCELLARA, Fabian (TREK FACTORY RACING) + 1 BEL 4 VAN AVERMAET, Greg (BMC RACING) + 2 AUT 5 BRANDLE, Matthias (IAM CYCLING) POL 6 BODNAR, Maciej (TINKOFF – SAXO) ITA 7 OSS, Daniel (BMC RACING) + 4
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