The cancellation of the key mountain stage of Tirreno-Adriatico has left a numbers of riders with a chance of winning this year’s race, with every second up for grabs on Monday’s road stage and Tuesday’s final time trial perhaps making the difference between winning and losing.
Zdenek Stybar (Etixx-QuickStep) started Monday’s sixth stage in the leader’s blue jersey but 10 riders are within 20 seconds of the Czech rider, with many of them hoping to move up in the classification and score precious WorldTour points.
Thanks to BMC winning the opening team time trial and consistent riding in the other stages, Damiano Caruso, Greg Van Avermaet and Tejay van Garderen are just nine seconds down on Stybar. Bob Jungels (Etixx-QuickStep) is fifth at 11 seconds with Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) also a threat at 14 seconds. Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) is eighth at 18 seconds, with Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) 11th at 24 seconds. The Italian is still angry about the cancellation of the mountain stage to Monte San Vicino and has promised to fight for every WorldTour point.
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Fabian Cancellara won the final time trial last year and won Tirreno-Adriatico in 2008. He revealed to Cyclingnews that he will not target the time trial this year due to the effects of a cold and named a former teammates as his favourite to snatch victory from Stybar.
“Bob Jungels,” Cancellara said.
“Perhaps… I think Bob has a great chance. Of course today’s stage could also influence things too. Tuesday’s time trial is short and so even riders like Greg Van Avermaet and Tejay van Garderen could do well and even win it.”
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