Tirreno-Adriatico 2020: Yates takes GC lead with Queen Stage win

The Queen Stage in the Tirreno comes down to the finish climb. Simon Yates attacks inside the last 5 kilometres and solos to victory. Rafal Majka and Geraint Thomas finish in second and third. Yates is the new GC leader. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 5th stage Tirreno-Adriatico

1. Simon Yates (gbr)
2. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 0.35
3. Rafal Majka (pol) s.t.
4. Aleksandr Vlasov (rus) + 0.39
5. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.54
6. James Knox (gbr) + 0.58
7. Fausto Masnada (ita) + 1.00
8. Jai Hindley (aus) + 1.05
9. Gianluca Brambilla (ita) + 1.11
10. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 1.46

11. Michael Woods (can) s.t.
14. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 2.21
25. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 4.13

GC after stage 5
1. Simon Yates (gbr)
2. Rafal Majka (pol) + 0.16
3. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 0.39
4. Aleksandr Vlasov (rus) + 0.49
5. Fausto Masnada (ita) + 0.54
6. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 1.00
7. James Knox (gbr) + 1.21
8. Michael Woods (can) + 1.22
9. Gianluca Brambilla (ita) + 2.28
10. Jack Haig (aus) + 2.44

Race report
Edoardo Zardini breaks clear on the climb to Forca di Ancorano and Canola, Visconti, Frank, Restrepo and Bernard join him, while Hagen, Carretero and Dainese bridge across later. The latter can’t follow the pace, but Van der Poel and Gebreigzabhier rejoin the leaders.

Bernard and Ghebreigzabhier are the remaining attackers on the finish climb, but they are reeled in quickly.

GC riders are together with 6 kilometres to go when Lucas Hamilton drops back. Vincenzo Nibali can’t follow the pace either.

Simon Yates attacks inside the last 4.5 kilometres and he solos to victory. Rafal Majka, Geraint Thomas and Aleksandr Vlasov go after him, but the Briton extends his lead bit by bit to win the race 35 seconds ahead of the chasers.

Overnight leader Michael Woods finishes 1.46 minutes behind Yates, who moves into the race lead.

Another interesting read: route 5th stage 2020 Tirreno-Adriatico.