Tirreno-Adriatico 2019: Viviani sprints to victory, Yates stays in GC lead

The 3rd stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico is a long ride across central Italy. Hills in the first part, but as the route levels out in the second half the race comes down to a bunch sprint. Elia Viviani outguns Peter Sagan and Fernando Gaviria, while Adam Yates stays in the GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results
1. Elia Viviani (ita)
2. Peter Sagan (slo) s.t.
3. Fernando Gaviria (col) s.t.
4. Giacomo Nizzolo (ita) s.t.
5. Jens Keukeleire (bel) s.t.
6. Davide Cimolai (ita) s.t.
7. Clement Venturini (fra) s.t.
8. Jasper Stuyven (bel) s.t.
9. Davide Ballerini (ita) s.t.
10. Luca Pacioni (ita) s.t.

GC
1. Adam Yates (gbr)
2. Brent Bookwalter (usa) s.t.
3. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 0.07
4. Laurens De Plus (bel) s.t.
5. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 0.22
6. Sam Oomen (nld) s.t.
7. Søren Kragh Andersen (den) s.t.
8. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) + 0.27
9. Wout Poels (nld) + 0.47
10. Jonathan Castroviejo (spa) s.t.

Race report
Maestri, Tonelli, Schönberger, Kurianov, Berhane and Cataford go on the attack once the flag is dropped. The five race to a lead of more than 4 minutes before the main group takes them on a leash. Maestri pockets the KOM points before he waits for the peloton. Kurianov is dropped inside the last 40 kilometres.

They are brought back inside the last 5 kilometres before the race boils down to a bunch sprint in the streets of Foligno. Bike handling is essential as the finish features a number of tight corners. Elia Viviani stays focused and delivers a strong sprint, finishing a bike length ahead of Peter Sagan and Fernando Gaviria.

Adam Yates keeps the leader jersey as he finishes in the main group.

Another interesting read: route 3rd stage Tirreno-Adriatico 2019.