Adam Yates’ strong performance on the climb to Terminillo at Tirreno-Adriatico lifted him to second overall behind Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and confirmed his ability for important Italian stage racing after his success at the 2016 Tour de France.
Yates will lead Orica-Scott at the Giro d’Italia and his natural aggression and ability to read a race seems highly suited to the unpredictable racing that makes the corsa rosa so great to watch.
The 16km climb to Terminillo was about steady power for the first half and then the ability to go with Quintana’s expected attack in the final kilometres. Yates proved he had both in his first big outing of the year.
“It’s pretty much the first big effort like that on a long climb this season, so I’m happy. I’d say that’s a pretty good performance,” Yates told the media at the race after a hot shower helped him recover from the cold.
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“It shows I’m on track. I knew where I was with my preparation and its good to find out in a race with a big effort. Everything is on track.”
Yates, Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) and Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) formed the select attack group on the second part of the climb along with Quintana. When the Colombian made several surges, the other three were unable to go with him but they were strong and did not crack.
Thomas got the closest to Quintana, with Yates pacing his effort carefully and closing the gap to just 24 seconds at the line, with Thomas only six seconds ahead of him. It was the first time that two British riders had finished on the podium of a Tirreno-Adriatico stage, confirming the depth of British talent in the peloton.
Difficult to crack Quintana
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