Cycling news - Adam Yates enjoys overall lead at Tirreno-Adriatico as Alaphilippe claims win

ByEurosport

Updated 14/03/2019 at 19:53 GMT

Adam Yates moved into overall lead at Tirreno-Adriatico after France's Julian Alaphlippe claimed the sprint victory on stage two of the Italian race.

Adam Yates of The United Kingdon and Team Mitchelton - Scott Blue Leader Jersey / Celebration / Champagne / during the 54th Tirreno-Adriatico 2019, Stage 2 a 195km stage from Camaiore to Pomarance 364m.

Image credit: Eurosport

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“Everything was going my way, perfect. I pushed myself full gas to the line," said Deceuninck-Quick-Step rider Alaphilippe after the 195km stage from Camaiore to Pomarance.

Yesterday we lost a lot of time. So I tried to win a stage and today was a good opportunity. I pushed myself to the limit to win. I surprise myself day after day.

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Greg Van Avermaet (CCC) was second with EF Education First’s Alberto Bettiol third.

'What a fantastic performance!' - Alaphilippe storms to Stage 2 victory

Adam Yates moved into fifth place after Mitchelton-Scott's victory in the time trial on Wednesday's stage 1, but it was enough to take the blue jersey in GC.

“Not sure how long I’ll hold onto (the lead), but we’ll try our best and see how it goes,” said Yates. “This finish didn’t suit me, it’s more for the punchy guys like Van Avermaet, but I’m happy with my position.

“After yesterday’s big ride in the TTT, it was another hard stage today, a different kind of stage but I’m happy with my position, happy with my condition.

“Tomorrow’s a sprint stage then we have a few punchy, tricky stages and like I said yesterday, there’s no real hard, long mountain stage, a lot of hard short stages, so we’ll see how the legs are and take it from there.”