“A big ride for me” - Giulio Pellizzari takes the fight to Van der Poel and Del Toro on Tirreno-Adriatico gravel

Giulio Pellizzari emerged as one of the revelations of Tirreno-Adriatico’s chaotic second stage, matching attacks with Mathieu van der Poel and Isaac del Toro before sprinting to third place after a dramatic gravel finale in San Gimignano.

The 206-kilometre stage from Camaiore had unfolded patiently for much of the afternoon before exploding on the wet Tuscan sterrato, where Van der Poel launched the decisive acceleration that shattered the peloton.

Only a handful of riders could respond to the Dutchman’s move. Del Toro was the first to bridge across, while Pellizzari also managed to close the gap as the race fragmented across the slippery gravel sector.

From that moment, the stage victory would be decided between the trio, who quickly carved out an advantage over the chasing peloton on the run toward the steep cobbled finish.

For Pellizzari, the moment was the reward for the work his Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe team had done to position their leaders before the gravel sector.

“Today was a big ride for me and for the whole team,” Pellizzari said afterwards. “We entered the gravel sector in a perfect position with Primoz, Gianni and the guys, and everyone did a really strong job to keep us at the front.”

With the race exploding on the sterrato, the Italian rider committed fully to the move that had formed at the front. “In the final kilometres we went full gas and tried to win the stage.”

The trio remained clear of the peloton as the race reached San Gimignano, where the steep cobbled rise toward the finish line provided the final test.

Pellizzari launched the sprint first on the uphill run to the line, accelerating inside the final metres in an attempt to catch his rivals by surprise.

Van der Poel, however, managed to come past in the closing metres to take the victory, with Del Toro finishing second and Pellizzari completing the podium after an aggressive ride in the finale. “We were close today,” Pellizzari said afterwards.

While Pellizzari came within touching distance of victory, the performance also offered encouragement for the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe camp as the race continues.

Team leader Primoz Roglic finished safely in the peloton behind the leading trio and remains well positioned in the general classification heading into the next stages of the race.

For Pellizzari himself, the podium finish on home roads was another step forward as he continues to establish himself among the strongest riders in demanding race finales. “There are still five stages left, and we will keep trying,” he said.