The Spanish cyclist Juan Ayuso, riding for UAE Emirates, emerged victorious in the Tirreno-Adriático on Sunday, after finishing in the peloton during the seventh and final stage, which was won by Italian Jonathan Milan of Lidl-Trek in a sprint. Ayuso’s overall victory had been all but secured following his triumph in the previous stage, but it was the intermediate sprint that provided some last-minute drama. Filippo Ganna of Ineos Grenadiers picked up three precious seconds, allowing the Italian to leapfrog his compatriot Antonio Tiberi of Bahrain into second place in the general classification.
Ganna’s late surge ultimately saw him finish 35 seconds adrift of Ayuso, with Tiberi taking third, a mere second behind the two-time world time trial champion. The final stage may not have provided the most nail-biting conclusion to the Tirreno-Adriático, but the overall standings were shuffled in an intriguing manner. Meanwhile, Rui Oliveira, the sole Portuguese rider still in contention, unfortunately failed to complete the final stage.
General Classification Shake-up
The Tirreno-Adriático has once again proven itself to be a thrilling early-season test for the world’s top cyclists. Ayuso’s dominance was a highlight, but the battle for the lower steps of the podium was fierce. The top three finishers were:
- Juan Ayuso (UAE Emirates)
- Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) – 35 seconds behind
- Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain) – 36 seconds behind
As the cycling season continues to unfold, these riders will look to build on their performances and make their mark on the sport’s biggest stages. For now, Ayuso can bask in the glory of his Tirreno-Adriático triumph, a testament to his skill and dedication to the craft.
