Tirreno-Adriatico 2020: Woods bests Majka in two-up sprint to move into GC lead

The finale of the 3rd stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico features explosive material. Michael Woods attacks on the steep Poggio Murella before Rafal Majka rejoins him in the descent. The Candian wins the sprint, while Wilco Kelderman finishes in third place. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage Tirreno-Adriatico

1. Michael Woods (can)
2. Rafal Majka (pol) + 0.01
3. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.20
4. Patrick Konrad (aut) s.t.
5. Aleksandr Vlasov (rus) s.t.
6. Luca Pacioni (ita) s.t.
7. Tanel Kangert (est) s.t.
8. Fausto Masnada (ita) s.t.
9. Jakob Fuglsang (den) s.t.
10. Geraint Thomas (gbr) s.t.

11. Simon Yates (gbr) s.t.
23. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 0.33

GC after stage 3
1. Michael Woods (can)
2. Rafal Majka (pol) + 0.05
3. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.26
4. Luca Pacioni (ita) + 0.30
5. Geraint Thomas (gbr) s.t.
6. Patrick Konrad (aut) s.t.
7. Fausto Masnada (ita) s.t.
8. Tanel Kangert (est) s.t.
9. Simon Yates (gbr) s.t.
10. Aleksandr Vlasov (rus) s.t.

Race report
It’s almost twenty minutes into the race when Eenkhoorn, Pernsteiner, Tonelli, Van Hooydonck, Claeys, Thomas (Benjamin) and Holmes join forces. Frapporti bridges across and the eight race to a lead of almost 8 minutes before the peloton speeds up.

Thomas goes alone when the gap has fallen to 3 minutes and with 44 kilometres left the chasers rejoin him.

Frapporti begins a solo with 20 kilometres remaining. Holmes catches the Italian on the Poggio Murella, but the peloton brings him back before the summit.

Woods goes solo with Kelderman, Thomas (Geraint), Fuglsang, Majka, Yates (Simon) and Vlasov still in the mix.

Majka chases down Woods with 6.2 kilometres to go and the two push on together. The Canadian outsprints the Pole on the line to take the leader’s jersey.

Another interesting read: route 3rd stage 2020 Tirreno-Adriatico.