Gesink Takes Lead at Tirreno-Adriatico
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Gesink took over the lead in Chieti with a strong ride in the mountains. Cor Vos photo.
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A sixth-place finish in Saturday's Stage 4 of Tirreno-Adriatico made Robert Gesink the second Rabobank rider to wear the leader’s jersey in the weeklong Italian stage race.
On a tough, decisive day of racing, the GC riders emerged, battling it out on the final climb of the long 240km stage from Narni to Chieti. Riding his Giant TCR Advanced SL, Gesink finished 12 seconds behind stage winner Michele Scarponi to take the overall lead. The 24-year-old Dutchman now holds a 10-second advantage over Australian Cadel Evans with three stages left.
The Rabobank team started Tirreno-Adriatico on a winning note, dominating Wednesday’s opening day team time trial, putting Lars Boom in the leader’s jersey for a day. Gesink raced aggressively on Stages 3 and 4, keeping himself in position for the expected GC battle in the mountains.
Riders face another long, hilly stage on Sunday. Stage 5, also 240km, heads north along the Adriatic Sea and includes the difficult Sasso Tetto climb.
On a tough, decisive day of racing, the GC riders emerged, battling it out on the final climb of the long 240km stage from Narni to Chieti. Riding his Giant TCR Advanced SL, Gesink finished 12 seconds behind stage winner Michele Scarponi to take the overall lead. The 24-year-old Dutchman now holds a 10-second advantage over Australian Cadel Evans with three stages left.
The Rabobank team started Tirreno-Adriatico on a winning note, dominating Wednesday’s opening day team time trial, putting Lars Boom in the leader’s jersey for a day. Gesink raced aggressively on Stages 3 and 4, keeping himself in position for the expected GC battle in the mountains.
Riders face another long, hilly stage on Sunday. Stage 5, also 240km, heads north along the Adriatic Sea and includes the difficult Sasso Tetto climb.
12 maart 2011
