{"id":1831680,"date":"2026-03-16T04:53:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T01:53:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1831680"},"modified":"2026-03-16T04:53:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T01:53:48","slug":"another-podium-but-no-win-for-sam-welsford-in-hectic-and-dive-bombing-final-tirreno-adriatico-sprint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1831680","title":{"rendered":"Another podium but no win for Sam Welsford in &#8216;hectic&#8217; and &#8216;dive bombing&#8217; final Tirreno-Adriatico sprint"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-1024-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Another podium but no win for Sam Welsford in &#8216;hectic&#8217; and &#8216;dive bombing&#8217; final Tirreno-Adriatico sprint<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nSimone Giuliani <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-16T04:53:48Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;Every time I looked down I was doing over 500 watts&#8217; says Welsford of furious pace driven by Van der Poel on climb <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Sam Welsford (Ineos Grenadiers) finishes second behind Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) on stage 7 of Tirreno-Adriatico<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\"><span class=\"font-normal\">0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get the Cyclingnews Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"3321ec25-4b1d-4cc5-9a83-7770f1fae4f3\">The final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico on Sunday may have ended up delivering the expected sprint but it was far from straightforward for the likes of Sam Welsford (Ineos Grenadiers) and Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) to get to the point where they could vie for victory. The climbs may have came early, but it turned out there was also another lofty challenge to overcome: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) on the front and intent on putting in a big effort.<\/p>\n<p>The climbing kicked in at less than 30km into the day of racing on the 143km stage 7, with two climbs in quick succession and while Alpecin-Premier Tech riders were swapping through to keep up the pace on the initial ascent and early on the second it was when Van der Poel took a position at the front at about 97km to go that the the field really began to splinter.<\/p>\n<p id=\"3321ec25-4b1d-4cc5-9a83-7770f1fae4f3-2\">Then he stayed there for pretty much the entirety of the next 30km \u2013 in a move viewed as an in-race Milan-San Remo training effort \u2013 making it far from an easy task for the sprinters to reconnect, even though it was essentially just one rider that did the lions share of the work to both create the split and keep the chase at bay well into the flat finishing circuits.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Mathieu van der Poel plays stage 4 finale perfectly before launching incredible sprint to win from reduced group<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Mathieu van der Poel beats Isaac del Toro to thrilling stage 2 victory as wet gravel roads cause chaos<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Isaac del Toro seals overall victory as Jonathan Milan wins stage 7 sprint for third consecutive year<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;This was crazy. The climb was so hard,&#8221; Welsford told <em>Cycling Pro Net<\/em> after the stage. &#8220;They just rode so fast to drop the sprinters and I felt really good on the climb. I had all the guys around me pulling and every time I looked down I was doing over 500 watts and I was just like this is just incredible. We weren&#8217;t catching them either.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;But the boys did a fantastic job on the climb for me. They paced me, looked after me and then in the circuit we had to chase pretty hard to catch the split and I think Van der Poel was pulling that by himself.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The first chase group, containing many of the sprinters, ultimately made it back with around 67km to go but that was not where the challenges ended for the riders who were hoping for a bunch battle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;It was a crazy finish,&#8221; said Welsford, who ended up taking second place behind Milan in a messy, close sprint where riders were spread across the road and separated by the smallest of margins.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Jk2ki9tvutGRCyLaZYigtB\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Jk2ki9tvutGRCyLaZYigtB slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">For a start Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) tried to get a jump on the fast finishers in the final seven kilometres, but a final effort from Welsford&#8217;s teammate Filippo Ganna drew him back in at the last moment. Still that was also after a crash on a corner at 2.6km which took out some others, including Alpecin-Premier Tech&#8217;s Jasper Philipsen.<\/p>\n<p>Welsford, however, was among those who managed to avoid the crash \u2013 just.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;It&#8217;s always going to happen when you have got four guys dive bombing for the same metre of road,&#8221; said Welsford. &#8220;It was really close to me and thankfully I&#8217;m all right but hopefully all the guys who went down are OK because you don&#8217;t want to see that on the last day of the race.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>For Welsford it ended with a WorldTour stage podium finish \u2013 his fourth of the season so far \u2013 though of course another spot up the results tally was what he was really after.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I felt really good today,&#8221; Welsford told <em>Cycling Pro Net<\/em>. &#8220;The boys did really well for me so a bit disappointed with second, you know you always want to be on the top step but good signs of things coming.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-Jk2ki9tvutGRCyLaZYigtB\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-Jk2ki9tvutGRCyLaZYigtB slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Simone Giuliani<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Australia Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Simone is a degree-qualified journalist that has accumulated decades of wide-ranging experience while working across a variety of leading media organisations. She joined <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> as a Production Editor at the start of the 2021 season and has now moved into the role of Australia Editor. Previously she worked as a freelance writer, Australian Editor at <em>Ella CyclingTips<\/em> and as a correspondent for <em>Reuters<\/em> and <em>Bloomberg<\/em>. Cycling was initially purely a leisure pursuit for Simone, who started out as a business journalist, but in 2015 her career focus also shifted to the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Mathieu van der Poel plays stage 4 finale perfectly before launching incredible sprint to win from reduced group<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Mathieu van der Poel beats Isaac del Toro to thrilling stage 2 victory as wet gravel roads cause chaos<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Isaac del Toro seals overall victory as Jonathan Milan wins stage 7 sprint for third consecutive year<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/USyggVjS5vahcgFBpmzVqM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/USyggVjS5vahcgFBpmzVqM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/USyggVjS5vahcgFBpmzVqM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/USyggVjS5vahcgFBpmzVqM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/USyggVjS5vahcgFBpmzVqM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour Down Under: Sam Welsford sprints to seventh Tour Down Under victory and first for Ineos Grenadiers in chaotic stage 3 finale<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/P7dgQcHRoqExx5sxjwwd5L-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/P7dgQcHRoqExx5sxjwwd5L-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/P7dgQcHRoqExx5sxjwwd5L-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/P7dgQcHRoqExx5sxjwwd5L-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/P7dgQcHRoqExx5sxjwwd5L-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There&#8217;s only one winner&#8217; &#8211; Big name Tirreno-Adriatico sprinters left empty handed as Decathlon-CMA CGM celebrate again<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VaYWATgqWuK6AbodFz4b4h-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VaYWATgqWuK6AbodFz4b4h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VaYWATgqWuK6AbodFz4b4h-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VaYWATgqWuK6AbodFz4b4h-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VaYWATgqWuK6AbodFz4b4h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Italian sprint star takes final stage as Isaac Del Toro takes Tirreno-Adriatico 2026 overall<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Pro Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;ve struggled with it because I felt like I was more under the watchful eye&#8217; \u2013 Ur\u0161ka \u017digart opens up about handling attention and reaching potential with the belief of her team<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Violent robbery&#8217; caught on camera as British team&#8217;s race bikes ripped from locked roof rack in broad daylight<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Have we already seen a Milan-San Remo dress rehearsal? Here&#8217;s what Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice might reveal about the first Monument of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">British rider among Lidl-Trek Junior Racing programme that aims to &#8216;find and develop the very best junior talent&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Eleonora Ciabocco escapes with only cuts and stitches after frightening crash in Trofeo Alfredo Binda<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s unacceptable that our safety keeps being compromised &#8216;for the shot&#8221; \u2013 Two riders almost run over by driver of media vehicle at Mid South gravel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Violent robbery&#8217; caught on camera as British team&#8217;s race bikes ripped from locked roof rack in broad daylight<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">British rider among Lidl-Trek Junior Racing programme that aims to &#8216;find and develop the very best junior talent&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Eleonora Ciabocco escapes with only cuts and stitches after frightening crash in Trofeo Alfredo Binda<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s unacceptable that our safety keeps being compromised &#8216;for the shot&#8221; \u2013 Two riders almost run over by driver of media vehicle at Mid South gravel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He can&#8217;t do more than what he is doing now&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen aiming for Flemish Classics as Milan-San Remo all but ruled out<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AnmeAXPBRm6hp3STDoRLTY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AnmeAXPBRm6hp3STDoRLTY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AnmeAXPBRm6hp3STDoRLTY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AnmeAXPBRm6hp3STDoRLTY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AnmeAXPBRm6hp3STDoRLTY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m not thinking about retirement yet&#8217; &#8211; Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d confirms he will miss Tour de France but is not done yet<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Violent robbery&#8217; caught on camera as British team&#8217;s race bikes ripped from locked roof rack in broad daylight<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Have we already seen a Milan-San Remo dress rehearsal? Here&#8217;s what Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice might reveal about the first Monument of 2026<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">British rider among Lidl-Trek Junior Racing programme that aims to &#8216;find and develop the very best junior talent&#8217;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">SunGod Airas Iris Photochromic glasses review: For when the weather can\u2019t make up its mind<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It&#8217;s unacceptable that our safety keeps being compromised &#8216;for the shot&#8221; \u2013 Two riders almost run over by driver of media vehicle at Mid South gravel<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Another podium but no win for Sam Welsford in &#8216;hectic&#8217; and &#8216;dive bombing&#8217; final Tirreno-Adriatico sprint<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nSimone Giuliani <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-16T04:53:48Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;Every time I looked down I was doing over 500 watts&#8217; says Welsford of furious pace driven by Van der Poel on climb <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Sam Welsford (Ineos Grenadiers) finishes second behind Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) on stage 7 of Tirreno-Adriatico<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\"><span class=\"font-normal\">0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get the Cyclingnews Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"3321ec25-4b1d-4cc5-9a83-7770f1fae4f3\">The final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico on Sunday may have ended up delivering the expected sprint but it was far from straightforward for the likes of Sam Welsford (Ineos Grenadiers) and Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) to get to the point where they could vie for victory. The climbs may have came early, but it turned out there was also another lofty challenge to overcome: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) on the front and intent on putting in a big effort.<\/p>\n<p>The climbing kicked in at less than 30km into the day of racing on the 143km stage 7, with two climbs in quick succession and while Alpecin-Premier Tech riders were swapping through to keep up the pace on the initial ascent and early on the second it was when Van der Poel took a position at the front at about 97km to go that the the field really began to splinter.<\/p>\n<p id=\"3321ec25-4b1d-4cc5-9a83-7770f1fae4f3-2\">Then he stayed there for pretty much the entirety of the next 30km \u2013 in a move viewed as an in-race Milan-San Remo training effort \u2013 making it far from an easy task for the sprinters to reconnect, even though it was essentially just one rider that did the lions share of the work to both create the split and keep the chase at bay well into the flat finishing circuits.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Mathieu van der Poel plays stage 4 finale perfectly before launching incredible sprint to win from reduced group<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Mathieu van der Poel beats Isaac del Toro to thrilling stage 2 victory as wet gravel roads cause chaos<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Isaac del Toro seals overall victory as Jonathan Milan wins stage 7 sprint for third consecutive year<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;This was crazy. The climb was so hard,&#8221; Welsford told <em>Cycling Pro Net<\/em> after the stage. &#8220;They just rode so fast to drop the sprinters and I felt really good on the climb. I had all the guys around me pulling and every time I looked down I was doing over 500 watts and I was just like this is just incredible. We weren&#8217;t catching them either.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;But the boys did a fantastic job on the climb for me. They paced me, looked after me and then in the circuit we had to chase pretty hard to catch the split and I think Van der Poel was pulling that by himself.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The first chase group, containing many of the sprinters, ultimately made it back with around 67km to go but that was not where the challenges ended for the riders who were hoping for a bunch battle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;It was a crazy finish,&#8221; said Welsford, who ended up taking second place behind Milan in a messy, close sprint where riders were spread across the road and separated by the smallest of margins.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Jk2ki9tvutGRCyLaZYigtB\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Jk2ki9tvutGRCyLaZYigtB slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">For a start Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) tried to get a jump on the fast finishers in the final seven kilometres, but a final effort from Welsford&#8217;s teammate Filippo Ganna drew him back in at the last moment. Still that was also after a crash on a corner at 2.6km which took out some others, including Alpecin-Premier Tech&#8217;s Jasper Philipsen.<\/p>\n<p>Welsford, however, was among those who managed to avoid the crash \u2013 just.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;It&#8217;s always going to happen when you have got four guys dive bombing for the same metre of road,&#8221; said Welsford. &#8220;It was really close to me and thankfully I&#8217;m all right but hopefully all the guys who went down are OK because you don&#8217;t want to see that on the last day of the race.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>For Welsford it ended with a WorldTour stage podium finish \u2013 his fourth of the season so far \u2013 though of course another spot up the results tally was what he was really after.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I felt really good today,&#8221; Welsford told <em>Cycling Pro Net<\/em>. &#8220;The boys did really well for me so a bit disappointed with second, you know you always want to be on the top step but good signs of things coming.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-Jk2ki9tvutGRCyLaZYigtB\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-Jk2ki9tvutGRCyLaZYigtB slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Simone Giuliani<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Australia Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Simone is a degree-qualified journalist that has accumulated decades of wide-ranging experience while working across a variety of leading media organisations. She joined <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> as a Production Editor at the start of the 2021 season and has now moved into the role of Australia Editor. Previously she worked as a freelance writer, Australian Editor at <em>Ella CyclingTips<\/em> and as a correspondent for <em>Reuters<\/em> and <em>Bloomberg<\/em>. Cycling was initially purely a leisure pursuit for Simone, who started out as a business journalist, but in 2015 her career focus also shifted to the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Mathieu van der Poel plays stage 4 finale perfectly before launching incredible sprint to win from reduced group<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Mathieu van der Poel beats Isaac del Toro to thrilling stage 2 victory as wet gravel roads cause chaos<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Isaac del Toro seals overall victory as Jonathan Milan wins stage 7 sprint for third consecutive year<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/USyggVjS5vahcgFBpmzVqM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/USyggVjS5vahcgFBpmzVqM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/USyggVjS5vahcgFBpmzVqM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/USyggVjS5vahcgFBpmzVqM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/USyggVjS5vahcgFBpmzVqM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour Down Under: Sam Welsford sprints to seventh Tour Down Under victory and first for Ineos Grenadiers in chaotic stage 3 finale<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/P7dgQcHRoqExx5sxjwwd5L-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/P7dgQcHRoqExx5sxjwwd5L-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/P7dgQcHRoqExx5sxjwwd5L-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/P7dgQcHRoqExx5sxjwwd5L-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/P7dgQcHRoqExx5sxjwwd5L-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There&#8217;s only one winner&#8217; &#8211; Big name Tirreno-Adriatico sprinters left empty handed as Decathlon-CMA CGM celebrate again<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VaYWATgqWuK6AbodFz4b4h-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VaYWATgqWuK6AbodFz4b4h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VaYWATgqWuK6AbodFz4b4h-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VaYWATgqWuK6AbodFz4b4h-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VaYWATgqWuK6AbodFz4b4h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Italian sprint star takes final stage as Isaac Del Toro takes Tirreno-Adriatico 2026 overall<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Pro Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;ve struggled with it because I felt like I was more under the watchful eye&#8217; \u2013 Ur\u0161ka \u017digart opens up about handling attention and reaching potential with the belief of her team<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Violent robbery&#8217; caught on camera as British team&#8217;s race bikes ripped from locked roof rack in broad daylight<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Have we already seen a Milan-San Remo dress rehearsal? Here&#8217;s what Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice might reveal about the first Monument of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">British rider among Lidl-Trek Junior Racing programme that aims to &#8216;find and develop the very best junior talent&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Eleonora Ciabocco escapes with only cuts and stitches after frightening crash in Trofeo Alfredo Binda<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s unacceptable that our safety keeps being compromised &#8216;for the shot&#8221; \u2013 Two riders almost run over by driver of media vehicle at Mid South gravel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Violent robbery&#8217; caught on camera as British team&#8217;s race bikes ripped from locked roof rack in broad daylight<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">British rider among Lidl-Trek Junior Racing programme that aims to &#8216;find and develop the very best junior talent&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Eleonora Ciabocco escapes with only cuts and stitches after frightening crash in Trofeo Alfredo Binda<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s unacceptable that our safety keeps being compromised &#8216;for the shot&#8221; \u2013 Two riders almost run over by driver of media vehicle at Mid South gravel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He can&#8217;t do more than what he is doing now&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen aiming for Flemish Classics as Milan-San Remo all but ruled out<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AnmeAXPBRm6hp3STDoRLTY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AnmeAXPBRm6hp3STDoRLTY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AnmeAXPBRm6hp3STDoRLTY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AnmeAXPBRm6hp3STDoRLTY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AnmeAXPBRm6hp3STDoRLTY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m not thinking about retirement yet&#8217; &#8211; Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d confirms he will miss Tour de France but is not done yet<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Violent robbery&#8217; caught on camera as British team&#8217;s race bikes ripped from locked roof rack in broad daylight<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Have we already seen a Milan-San Remo dress rehearsal? Here&#8217;s what Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice might reveal about the first Monument of 2026<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">British rider among Lidl-Trek Junior Racing programme that aims to &#8216;find and develop the very best junior talent&#8217;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">SunGod Airas Iris Photochromic glasses review: For when the weather can\u2019t make up its mind<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It&#8217;s unacceptable that our safety keeps being compromised &#8216;for the shot&#8221; \u2013 Two riders almost run over by driver of media vehicle at Mid South gravel<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Another podium but no win for Sam Welsford in &#8216;hectic&#8217; and &#8216;dive bombing&#8217; final Tirreno-Adriatico sprint<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nSimone Giuliani <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-16T04:53:48Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;Every time I looked down I was doing over 500 watts&#8217; says Welsford of furious pace driven by Van der Poel on climb <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\"><span class=\"font-normal\">0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get the Cyclingnews Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"3321ec25-4b1d-4cc5-9a83-7770f1fae4f3\">The final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico on Sunday may have ended up delivering the expected sprint but it was far from straightforward for the likes of Sam Welsford (Ineos Grenadiers) and Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) to get to the point where they could vie for victory. The climbs may have came early, but it turned out there was also another lofty challenge to overcome: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) on the front and intent on putting in a big effort.<\/p>\n<p>The climbing kicked in at less than 30km into the day of racing on the 143km stage 7, with two climbs in quick succession and while Alpecin-Premier Tech riders were swapping through to keep up the pace on the initial ascent and early on the second it was when Van der Poel took a position at the front at about 97km to go that the the field really began to splinter.<\/p>\n<p id=\"3321ec25-4b1d-4cc5-9a83-7770f1fae4f3-2\">Then he stayed there for pretty much the entirety of the next 30km \u2013 in a move viewed as an in-race Milan-San Remo training effort \u2013 making it far from an easy task for the sprinters to reconnect, even though it was essentially just one rider that did the lions share of the work to both create the split and keep the chase at bay well into the flat finishing circuits.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3ujZ7K9FAoNu8k4AVRPoi8-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Mathieu van der Poel plays stage 4 finale perfectly before launching incredible sprint to win from reduced group<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QnYkq6mZ8izV9TVrWLaWnP-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Mathieu van der Poel beats Isaac del Toro to thrilling stage 2 victory as wet gravel roads cause chaos<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/q4aD3CSGFnt5swbgigbA4M-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Tirreno-Adriatico: Isaac del Toro seals overall victory as Jonathan Milan wins stage 7 sprint for third consecutive year<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;This was crazy. The climb was so hard,&#8221; Welsford told <em>Cycling Pro Net<\/em> after the stage. &#8220;They just rode so fast to drop the sprinters and I felt really good on the climb. I had all the guys around me pulling and every time I looked down I was doing over 500 watts and I was just like this is just incredible. We weren&#8217;t catching them either.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;But the boys did a fantastic job on the climb for me. They paced me, looked after me and then in the circuit we had to chase pretty hard to catch the split and I think Van der Poel was pulling that by himself.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The first chase group, containing many of the sprinters, ultimately made it back with around 67km to go but that was not where the challenges ended for the riders who were hoping for a bunch battle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;It was a crazy finish,&#8221; said Welsford, who ended up taking second place behind Milan in a messy, close sprint where riders were spread across the road and separated by the smallest of margins.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Jk2ki9tvutGRCyLaZYigtB\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Jk2ki9tvutGRCyLaZYigtB slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">For a start Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) tried to get a jump on the fast finishers in the final seven kilometres, but a final effort from Welsford&#8217;s teammate Filippo Ganna drew him back in at the last moment. Still that was also after a crash on a corner at 2.6km which took out some others, including Alpecin-Premier Tech&#8217;s Jasper Philipsen.<\/p>\n<p>Welsford, however, was among those who managed to avoid the crash \u2013 just.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;It&#8217;s always going to happen when you have got four guys dive bombing for the same metre of road,&#8221; said Welsford. &#8220;It was really close to me and thankfully I&#8217;m all right but hopefully all the guys who went down are OK because you don&#8217;t want to see that on the last day of the race.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>For Welsford it ended with a WorldTour stage podium finish \u2013 his fourth of the season so far \u2013 though of course another spot up the results tally was what he was really after.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I felt really good today,&#8221; Welsford told <em>Cycling Pro Net<\/em>. &#8220;The boys did really well for me so a bit disappointed with second, you know you always want to be on the top step but good signs of things coming.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/so-hectic-after-chasing-an-unrelenting-mathieu-van-der-poel-and-dodging-dive-bombing-crash-sam-welsford-remains-steadfast-to-take-second-in-last-chance-at-tirreno-adriatico\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QBnK4TRyiRWMLapUj9cteK-1024-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Another podium but no win for Sam Welsford in &#8216;hectic&#8217; and &#8216;dive bombing&#8217; final Tirreno-Adriatico sprint News By Simone Giuliani published 16 March 2026 &#8216;Every time I looked down I was doing over 500 watts&#8217; says Welsford of furious pace driven by Van der Poel on climb When you purchase [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1831680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1831680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1831680"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1831680\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1831680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1831680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1831680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}