World champion Julian Alaphilippe won a thrilling uphill sprint finish to take victory in stage two of Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy. Photo: Supplied
World champion Julian Alaphilippe won a thrilling uphill sprint finish to take victory in stage two of Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy on Thursday.
Dutch star Mathieu van der Poel crossed second ahead of Belgian Wout van Aert, who retained the overall lead, after the 202km stage from Camaiore to Chiusdino in Tuscany.
“This first victory of the season is a relief for me,” said Frenchman Alaphilippe.
“I was in a perfect situation with Almeida at the front.
“Kasper Asgreen and Zdenek Stybar helped me position myself.
“I didn’t know what was going on behind me, but when I saw Joao (Almeida) ahead of me, I knew I would win.
“I could just focus on keeping my position. I went full gas when my time came.
“When Geraint Thomas made his move, I understood my time had come to make my move too, even though there was a headwind.
“It’s been a finale full of suspense, very intense. During the race, the rhythm was always very high,” added Alaphilippe.
Jumbo-Visma rider Van Aert retained the race lead with a four-second advantage on Alaphilippe with Van der Poel third at eight seconds.
“It’s not a win, but a good result,” said Van Aert, who had won the opening stage.
“The third place is the maximum I could get. When Julian accelerated I was already at my limit. He was the strongest today.
“We didn’t close it quickly but we kept the breakaway a short distance ahead of us. Joao Almeida survived for so long and it was a hard sprint.”
Friday’s third stage over 219km will start in Monticiano in Tuscany and end in an uphill finish in the Umbrian town of Gualdo Tadino.
Stage two results:
1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/DEC) 5:01:32
2. Mathieu van der Poel (NED/ALP)
3. Wout van Aert (BEL/JUM)
4. Tadej Pogacar (SLO/UAE)
5. Alex Aranburu (ESP/AST)
6. Robert Stannard (AUS/BIK)
7. Joao Almeida (POR/DEC)
8. Greg van Avermaet (BEL/AG2)
9. Tim Wellens (BEL/LOT)
10. Giulio Ciccone (ITA/TRE)
Overall standings after stage two:
1. Wout van Aert (BEL/Jumbo) 8:37:35
2. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/DEC) at 0:04
3. Mathieu van der Poel (NED/ALP) 0:08
4. Pavel Sivakov (RUS/INE) 0:11
5. Mikel Landa (ESP/BAH) 0:13
6. Andrea Vendrame (ITA/AG2) 0:14
7. Robert Stannard (AUS/BIK) 0:14
8. Joao Almeida (POR/DEC) 0:14
9. Tadej Pogacar (SLO/UAE) 0:14
10. Alex Aranburu (ESP/AST) 0:14
