The 35-year-old experienced Belgian spends 150 kilometers in the front on Sunday.
"The Race of the Two Seas" continued with a 178km hilly stage between Castelraimondo – the site of Philippe Gilbert's maiden victory at Tirreno-Adriatico, seven years ago – and Filottrano, where the organizers, riders and fans paid homage to former race winner Michele Scarponi.
Breakaway specialist Iljo Keisse – a man whose Tour of Turkey stage triumph a couple of years ago left an indelible mark – joined the escape soon after the start, and helped the five-man group put more than six minutes between them and the peloton. With the stage win and important bonus seconds on the line, the peloton wasn't willing to let the men in the lead fight for the honors, and reeled them in with around 15 kilometers to go. The battle for the victory unfolded in the final four kilometers, when Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) rode away from the bunch and grabbed the win.
"I like riding in the break. Today it wasn't an easy stage, with the circuit in Filottrano that took us up that double-digit climb several times, but I enjoyed being on the front, it was a lot nicer than staying in the peloton. I gave my best in the group and at the end of the day I am satisfied with my effort and how I felt", Iljo said after spending 150 kilometers on the roads of the Marche region in the escape.
The penultimate stage of Tirreno-Adriatico will take place on Monday, between Numana and Fano (153 kilometers) and should have the sprinters in the spotlight.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele/ Getty Images
