Welcome to the third day of the 2019 Tirreno - Adriatico. After a prologue and a flat stage, we now raise the difficulty with today's hilly stage. The riders will soon leave behind the starting line in Castelraimondo, a village with roughly 5,000 inhabitants.
The first part of the stage will be very fast, as we start with 45km of downhill, before attacking the first of five category 2 hills - meaning a rider can gain a maximum of 50 KoM points today. Dal Col will definitely have to ride an active race if he wants to keep his jersey!
The first KoM will be reached after 50.8km mainly in North-Eastern direction, followed by the first intermediate sprint 8.3km later, straight South.
The stage then leads eastwards, until we arrive at the Adriatic coast in Civitanova Marche. The riders then ride by the seaside for roughly 40km, passing the second intermediate sprint in Porto Recanati after 85km, before climbing first an unclassified hill, and then the second KoM in Osimo, after 117.2km.
We then have the same pattern as yesterday, as we'll arrive at the finish line in Filottrano, a 10,000 inhabitant commune, after 143.8km, with a circuit of roughly 15km to be ridden twice. There's a KoM at each passing of the finish line, even though the main climb ends about 3km before.
Lots of ups and downs, but no really hard hills - what type of rider should be favored today? Probably not the pure sprinters, so after two wins by Bryan Coquard we'll likely see someone else celebrate in a few hours - and maybe we'll even get a new GC leader. The bookies think it's the pure puncheurs who will be in front today, with Spilak, Gesink and Betancourt getting three stars - especially the latter will want to take revenge for yesterday's bad race.
Then, we have Taaramäe, Lopez and Herklotz all with two stars, followed by Preidler, Boily, Yates and Formolo. No sprinters on the list - which is really not surprising, as none of them likes hills. But let's see how the race unfolds - we've already seen all kinds of outcomes on this type of stage this year!
On this descending first part of the stage, it takes almost 10km until we see the first attacks. It's Vliegen together with Shapira, Uwizeyimana and Andersen who try their luck, pursued by Vink.
And we have more attacks from the peloton: Manulang and Herrada quickly close in on Vink, and this trio is 15" behind the four leaders.
But some teams seem to be unhappy with this situation, as Kenyeres, Blythe, Chhetri, Dlamini and Van Winden take turns and chase the escapees with more than 50km/h!
Finally, Weber does the last bit of work to reel in the pursuing trio - but Vink attacks again as soon as he feels the peloton breathing down his neck! To no avail, again.
After having tried a third time, he finally gives up, and the pack immediately slows down.
The pace seemingly became too slow for Robov, who attacks and tries to bridge the one-minute-gap on his own!
Only little later - with Robov still chasing the leading group - Serrano does the same. He's 1'20 behind the leaders, with the peloton following 50" later.
As there are no further attacks, the overall pace slows down - giving Robov and Serrano the possibility to close the gap to the leaders. Just before the start of the first hill, today's Breakaway of the Day is complete. Just to recall the riders up front: Uwizeyimana - decent climber, OK puncheur Andersen - the best TTer in the group, but that won't help him a lot today Vliegen - good puncheur Shapira - good climber, OK puncheur, strong acceleration Serrano - good climber, good acceleration, but may struggle on the hills Robov - OK climber, good puncheur
The situation looks great for Podium Ambition, as they've got the two best puncheurs in the leading group. What can they get out of it?
The peloton, where Mraouni, Van Winden, Kenyeres, Kalaba, Chhetri and Dlamini are taking turns, is 3'23 back as the leaders reach the foot of the first steep climb.
Surprisingly, it's Uwizeyimana who reaches the top first, after an early attack:
1. Uwizeyimana - 10
2. Serrano - 8
3. Shapira - 6
4. Robov - 4
5. Vliegen - 2
Not well played by Robov and Vliegen, if the KoM jersey is their goal. Maybe they're just saving some fuel for later on.
The peloton is already 5'41 back.
Andersen, who lost contact on the first hill, caught up with his breakaway companions and even leaves them behind at the first intermediate sprint:
1. Andersen
2. Uwizeyimana
3. Robov
Peloton, now led by Sbaragli, Blythe, Martinelli and Mai: + 4'01
We've almost reached the halfway point of today's stage, meaning the leaders cross the line at the second intermediate sprint:
1. Robov
2. Uwizeyimana
3. Andersen
All of these therefore have won 8 points and 8" - having no significant impact in GC or points standings.
The pack is 2'42 behind, i.e. they have gained 3 minutes since the KoM.
The peloton now leaves the coast as well, and it's still the same teams controlling the pack: Aegon, Generali, ISA - Hexacta, Evonik and T-Mobile.
On the unclassified hill preceding the next KoM climb, Kenyeres pulled really, really hard, and the peloton already starts breaking into pieces! We can see KoM-leader Dal Col behind, as well as most of Team Tinkoff. No stage or GC favorites though. But the pace has clearly increased even more!
Meanwhile, the breakaway is already in the next uphill part - meaning we'll see another KoM sprint soon! Surely they have no time to enjoy the beauty of these old buildings - but we can take it.
The peloton just 2'04 behind, meaning another 40" gone for the leaders.
It's again Uwizeyimana who's clearly the strongest - or just has the best timing:
1. Uwizeyimana - 10
2. Serrano - 8
3. Shapira - 6
4. Robov - 4
5. Andersen - 2
The Rwandan is in a good position for taking over the KoM jersey, but there are still 30 points at stake.
The peloton crosses the line 1'47 back.
Although it's not relevant for the race, let's just mention the creativity of the Filottrano inhabitants. The breakaway reaches the arrival venue, and will soon cross the finish line for the first time - fighting for the next 10 KoM points!
While Vliegen has completed his work and is swallowed by the peloton in the steepest part of this climb, Coquard is still looking very good, very attentive at the front of the pack.
Just 1'25 left for the last 33km - the remaining BotD riders will have to hurry up a bit.
And now it's Robov springing into action. Vliegen has seemingly tired the remaning breakaway riders, and so the Bulgarian now goes all-in! The first thing he wins are 10 KoM points - what else can he do?
1. Robov - 10
2. Serrano - 8
3. Shapira - 6
4. Uwizeyimana - 4
5. Andersen - 2
Serrano and Uwizeyimana are now tied having 24 points each - but there are two more KoM sprints to come.
The race situation is as follows:
Robov
+ 12" Serrano
+ 7" Shapira, Uwizeyimana
+ 31" Andersen
+ 46"
Peloton, led by Sequera
Some decent climbers/puncheurs like Vink, Fiorelli, Iturria, Ndayisenga, Novikov or Laengen have lost contact to the pack and are already 1'50 behind!
On the second-to-last lap, the peloton, now pulled by Brändle, reels in one escapee after the other: Andersen has already been caught, Uwizeyimana's fate is sealed right now, and Shapira and Serrano aren't really far ahead, either.
But Robov is still doing a great race, and currently keeps an advantage of 1'20!
Meanwhile, at the back of the peloton, some more riders struggle a lot and already have a small gap: Kolar, Poljanski, Godoy or young riders Carthy and Geoghegan Hart.
He was strong, but not strong enough: Robov is already reeled in on the same lap, on the steepest section, just as his teammate Vliegen one lap before. Sequera is pushing really hard now, after Dekker had done a great job as well!
No-one seems to be interested by the KoM points, and so Sequera takes them as he's still leading the pack. And look at the guy in 3rd position:
1. Sequera - 10
2. Spilak - 8
3. Coquard - 6
4. Taaramäe - 4
5. Herklotz - 2
The stage's top favorites are all there - but do we have to add the race leader to the list? Just one lap - and one steep climb - to go, and he's still looking great!
Of the previously distanced riders, only Vink, Fiorelli, Novikov and Laengen have missed out on re-joining the peloton.
15km to go.
Not much happens during the next 10 kilometers, but as we reach the 5km arc, the last steep climb awaits us!
Ji now has taken the lead, ahead of workhorse Sequera and Dees. Mraouni close behind, along with Isostar domestiques Polanc, Kalaba and Frankiny. Herklotz, Spilak, Martin, Morton and the likes are well positioned - as is Coquard! Can the Frenchman stay ahead after the climb and create the surprise?
It's Dekker leading the peloton in this final hard uphill section, followed by Ji and Wellens. Which one of the favorites will step into action first?
Disappointingly, no-one. As the riders reach the top, Dekker still leads ahead of Wellens, with Keinath in third - and Coquard in 4th! He has survived all of today's major obstacles, and he's got a huge opportunity to make it three out of three!
But all the good puncheurs are still there as well - and now we can spot Groenewegen in a good position as well! So it will really be sprinters vs puncheurs - or could we get a surprise attack on these last 3 kilometers?
Final kilometer, and we'll indeed see a bunch sprint! Here are the current positions:
Wellens
Lecuisinier
Herklotz
Dekker
Denifl
Dombrowski
Groenewegen
Pernsteiner
Sequera
Latour
Coquard
Gesink
Spilak
Morton
Preidler
Martin, Taaramäe and Betancourt are slightly further back, and we're missing Lopez, Boily, Yates and Formolo as well!
700m to go, and Lecuisinier and Wellens have now passed Wellens. Denifl and Dombrowski are still in a good position, too. Pernsteiner leads out the sprint for Spilak, while Coquard has taken Groenewegen's wheel! Latour is leading Gesink on the final meters, but is a bit stuck behind Dekker right now!
With 500 meters left, it seems to be a very open race! Groenewegen now is on one line with Lecuisinier and Herklotz, with Coquard still in perfect position! Wellens still keeps his high pace, whereas Pernsteiner now has an open lane ahead! Denifl is still going strong as well, while Dombrowski and Latour are desperately trying to find a breach!
Just 300m to the finish line, and Groenewegen now is clearly the fastest man on the road! He's left Herklotz and Lecuisinier behind, while Coquard is fading and will probably miss out on the triple.
But Spilak has now passed his leadout Pernsteiner and is still in the fight for at least a podium. Dombrowski still squeezed in, while Denifl and Wellens seem to have not much left.
200m to go, and Groenewegen's lead is getting bigger and bigger. Herklotz and Lecuisinier still 2nd and 3rd, but Spilak is going really fast now - and Dombrowski is level with him! All others seem to be weaker and "just" fighting for a Top 10 now.
We're on the final 100 meters, and nothing will probably stop Groenewegen now! However, it's a three-way-fight for the remaining podium places, with Herklotz 2nd, Lecuisinier 3rd and Spilak 4th at the moment.
And he's done it! Dylan Groenewegen really upsets the puncheurs today for a great win on this 3rd stage! While he was in no man's land yesterday, he got a perfect position today and was simply the strongest - congratulations to Aegon - Lavazza, who have worked really hard for this win all day long!
Behind him, Herklotz seems to hold on to 2nd, while the race between Spilak and Lecuisinier for 3rd will be really, really close!
Indeed, it's Silvio Herklotz getting a bitter-sweet 2nd place - being the strongest puncheur just wasn't enough today!
And Simon Spilak just sneaks past Pierre-Henri Lecuisinier on the final meters - the German-Slovenian duel is definitely on!
Joseph Dombrowski then finishes 5th. He seemed to be very strong as well, but just didn't have the best position - bad luck for him. Stefan Denifl and Tim Wellens get really good results with 6th and 7th as well.
Lachlan Morton has never been a good sprinter, and his bad acceleration clearly punished him as well. But at least he gets a Top 10, just as Pierre Latour and Robert Gesink.
And on the following positions we have:
11. Martin
12. Preidler
13. Coquard, who easily preserves his jerseys, but will still be disappointed by his sprint
14. Pernsteiner
15. Formolo
16. Betancourt
17. Guldhammer
18. Taaramäe
19. Berhane
20. Yates
For many of the stage favorites, the finale probably wasn't hard enough - which is confirmed by the fact that 131 riders get the same time. This will probably be different tomorrow - but first let's clap those who did a great job today!
First and foremost, this counts for Dylan Groenewegen, who surprisingly kept up with the best puncheurs today and then finished off his team's work in style! He'll surely get another chance on stage 7, where he will hope to be positioned much better than yesterday.
Bryan Coquard makes one less appearance than the two previous days, but he still keeps the GC leader and points jerseys. Whereas it would be a blowoff if he could keep the first one tomorrow, he should still have a chance of defending the latter.
In the KoM standings, we have a tie, just as yesterday. The jury has decided to award the jersey to Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, who leads these standings together with Rafael Serrano.
We don't have any notable changes in the team standings, meaning Generali keeps the lead.
And Silvio Herklotz just extends the lead in the U25 standings with his 12 bonus seconds.
All is said and done for today - stay tuned for tomorrow's first mountain test!
Tirreno - Adriatico 
