With the double climb of the Monte Carpegna (6km at 9.9%) within the final 40 kilometer, the queen stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico this Saturday offered Italian rider Domenico Pozzovivo the possibility to climb in the provisional classification.
Just like the days before, the leader of the Belgian World Team followed the best climbers on the flanks of the difficult hors categorie climb, which first served to catch the breakaway during the first passage.
A peloton of twenty riders with Pozzovivo then split in the technical descent and the Italian climber started the second passage in the first chasing group. At the end of a final mon to man, Pozzovivo crossed the finish line in twelfth position and moved up to thirteenth place in the classification.
This queen stage was very difficult, especially because of the freezing temperatures. I’m rather disappointed because I lost contact with the leading group in the first downhill of the Monte Carpegna and felt quite good on the second climb. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to come back but I can be satisfied of the result. Nevermind, I’m happy with my form, which is going crescendo, hoping to be on top form for the Giro d’Italia. This Tirreno-Adriatico is an important event before the Tour of Sicily, the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. That’s why I’m happy to defend my position alongside the best climbers today.
