MILAN: Belgian rider Wout Van Aert won a sprint finish for the first stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico cycling race at Lido di Camaiore on Wednesday.
The Jumbo Visma driver brought the Australian Caleb Ewan from Lotto Soudal and the Colombian Fernando Gaviria from Emirates from the United Arab Emirates onto the track after 156 km in Tuscany.
The 26-year-old wears the blue jersey of the race director who enters the 202 km long second stage between Camaiore and Chiusdino in the seven-stage “Race of the Two Seas”, which serves as a warm-up phase for the Giro d’Italia.
“I started my sprint at the right moment and managed to keep my speed to the finish,” said Van Aert.
“I didn’t really expect to beat Caleb Ewan in such a quick sprint today.
“I’ve been thinking about taking some time bonuses. I’m really happy and proud to finish the team’s work.”
It was a double for the Jumbo Visma team when Primoz Roglic won the fourth stage from Paris-Nice to take the overall lead of the “Run to the Sun” in France.
“We are very happy with the two victories,” said the Slovenian Roglic.
