GREG VAN AVERMAET IS THE NEW LEADER OF THE GC

Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing Team) is the new Maglia Azzurra NamedSport.

STAGE RESULT
1 – Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) 229km in 5h51’44”, average speed 39.063kph
2 – Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) at 9″.
3 – Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) at 9″.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 – Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing Team)
2 – Rohan Dennis (BMC Racing Team) s.t.
3 – Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing Team) s.t.

JERSEYS

Maglia Azzurra (blue), general classification leader, sponsored by NamedSport – Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing Team)
Maglia Rossa (red), sprinter classification leader, sponsored by FSA – Geraint Thomas (Team Sky)
Maglia Verde (green), King of the Mountains classification leader, sponsored by Snello Rovagnati – Davide Ballerini (Androni Giocattoli)
Maglia Bianca (white), young rider general classification leader, sponsored by Selle Italia – Bob Jungels (Quick-Step Floors)

Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the winner Geraint Thomas said: “My attack wasn’t planned really. We just wanted to be well positioned in the steep part of the climb. We rode really hard and when Bob [Jungels] attacked, I was feeling ok and Kwiato [Michal Kwiatkowski] said on the radio ‘have a go!’ That’s what I did. I didn’t think it was going to stick until 150 metres to go but I’m pleased to get that win. We’ve worked really hard since November. I haven’t raced since the Tour Down Under so I wasn’t sure how I’d cope with the rhythm of the race after the training camp in South Africa. Fighting for positions when the bunch moved, I was obviously feeling ok.”

The Maglia Azzurra, Greg Van Avermaet, said: “I was a little bit surprised when Geraint Thomas attacked but we had Damiano [Caruso] with him at the beginning with two more guys. Thomas went alone and we were in a bad situation. I’m disappointed because it was a very good stage for me to win. It’s nice to be in the leader’s jersey but this is due to the strong performance of the team in yesterday’s team time trial. The team is doing well – to lead a big race is always a good thing.”

Press conference interviews and further details to follow.

TOMORROW’S STAGE
Stage 3 – Monterotondo Marittimo – Montalto di Castro, 204km
Start Meeting Point: Largo Garage Comunali, Monterotondo Marittimo
Sign-on procedures: 09.50 – 11.10
Alignment: 11.15
Start – KM 0: 11.20 (transfer 2,000m)
Finish: Via Aurelia Tarquina, Montalto di Castro – 16.15 Approx.
Headquarters: Complesso Monumentale San Sisto, Via Tirrenia 14, Montalto di Castro

ROUTE
The stage is fast and wavy, suited to end in a bunch sprint. However, sprinters will have to prove they really deserve to win. The route starts mostly downhill and runs through the geothermal area, heading for Massa Marittima. Once the road has flattened out, the route heads south and towards the Maremma, reaching Grosseto. After clearing the first categorised climb in Scansano, the course follows the constant, moderate undulations leading through some quaint tufa limestone villages, up to Pitigliano. A very long sprint follows, descending all the way to the finish line in Montalto di Castro.

Final kilometres
After a first downhill stretch, a short climb (with 3-4% gradients) leads to the heart of Montalto di Castro, marking the beginning of the home straight, with just a mild bend and running slightly uphill (with 2-3% gradients) on asphalt road.

DOWNLOAD

Tirreno-Adriatico NamedSport 2017 Roadbook
Tirreno-Adriatico NamedSport 2017 Maps

Photo credits: LaPresse – D’Alberto / Ferrari

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