WorldTour
Giulio Pellizzari Third After Gravel Showdown: Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 2
Pellizzari sprinted to third place after a selective finale on wet gravel roads and the steep cobbled rise into San Gimignano.
Pellizzari sprinted to third place after a selective finale on wet gravel roads and the steep cobbled rise into San Gimignano.
The 206-kilometre stage from Camaiore unfolded patiently for much of the afternoon, with an early breakaway controlled by the peloton before the race gradually sharpened across the rolling terrain of Tuscany. As the kilometres ticked down, attention shifted to the final gravel sector placed close to the finish, a stretch of white road that promised to reshape the race.
Rain arrived late in the day, making the gravel damp and unpredictable and raising the tension in the bunch as teams fought for position ahead of the decisive section.
When the race hit the white roads, the tempo immediately surged. Van der Poel forced the pace on the gravel, and the selection quickly narrowed. Pellizzari was among the riders able to follow the decisive move, soon forming a leading trio together with Van der Poel and Del Toro as the race split apart behind.
Giulio Pellizzari on Stage 2 of Tirreno-Adriatico
© Getty Sport
The three riders emerged from the gravel sector clear of the peloton and carried their advantage towards the steep uphill finish in the historic centre of San Gimignano. On the cobbled run to the line, Pellizzari launched the sprint early, accelerating inside the final metres on the rising road. However, van der Poel was able to come past in the closing metres to take the stage victory, with Del Toro second and Pellizzari completing the podium after his impressive ride in the finale.
Behind the leaders, Primož Roglič finished 11th on the stage after remaining well positioned through the decisive sectors. For Pellizzari, racing on Italian roads, the performance marked another strong display in a demanding finale that combined gravel, rain and a steep uphill finish.
After the stage, the young Italian rider reflected on the team effort that placed him in contention for the win:
Today was a big ride for me and for the whole team. We entered the gravel sector in a perfect position with Primož, Gianni and the guys, and everyone did a really strong job to keep us at the front. In the final kilometres we went full gas and tried to win the stage. We were close today, but there are still five stages left and we will keep trying.
