“They were just stronger than us”: Pellizzari settles for third as Jorgenson’s late bonus-second move pays off

The 2026 Tirreno-Adriatico concluded with a thrilling final day of racing in San Benedetto del Tronto. While Jonathan Milan showcased his raw power to win the bunch sprint and Isaac del Toro safely secured the overall title, late GC drama unfolded as Matteo Jorgenson executed a perfect tactical move to snatch second place overall from Giulio Pellizzari.

While the stage win was the primary focus for the sprinters, the intermediate sprint on the finishing circuit turned into a crucial battleground for the general classification podium. Team Visma | Lease a Bike executed a flawless lead-out to support Matteo Jorgenson, who swept up the maximum bonus seconds. This brilliant tactical move allowed the American rider to leapfrog Giulio Pellizzari and claim second place overall behind Del Toro.

Despite slipping to third overall in the final kilometers, Red Bull - Bora - Hansgrohe's Giulio Pellizzari remained positive after an incredible week of racing. The young Italian had experienced the thrill of wearing the leader's jersey and racing through his hometown. After the stage, he reflected on the team's performance and the surreal experience of having Grand Tour champions working for him.

"Yeah, I mean it was a super unbelievable week for us as a team," Pellizzari explained in a post-race interview. "We can be proud of what we did, and it is something we will remember for sure."

When asked about having legends like Primoz Roglic and Jai Hindley riding in his service, Pellizzari was incredibly humbled. "Yeah, for me it's crazy. Just to race with them is unbelievable, and this week they helped me a lot. So I have to say thank you to them and to all the team. We did a super good job and we will try for something more."

Regarding the late GC swap with Jorgenson, Pellizzari accepted the outcome with grace, acknowledging the American was simply stronger than him at the intermediate sprint. "No, I mean, of course I prefer to be second, but we tried. We tried to go for the bonus seconds, but they were just stronger than us."

He also noted the blistering pace of the final stage, choosing safety over unnecessary risks in the chaotic finale. "Yeah, it was really, really fast. We did the second climb really, really full gas, but then the end was a bit dangerous, so I just stayed in the back and we arrived safe at the finish."