Tirreno-Adriatico 2024 – Stage 3 Preview

It is a long stage tomorrow with 2600 climbing meters. Plus a hilly finale.

Route

The riders move east tomorrow. Near the finale we have a categorized climb. For some, the climb will make it difficult for them to contest the sprint

Here are Casacastalda. Is it tough enough to drop the sprinters?

This is the finale. It is a drag with a late corner 200 meters out just before the road rises 4.6% for 200m.

Weather

Rain and a lot of it. It will be a very cold day on the bike, likely making it more selective than it looks to be.

Contenders

Phillipsen – He should be able to handle the climbs tomorrow. After his win today, he is the man to beat.

Merlier – The weather he will enjoy. The climbing? I’m not certain.

Capiot – A good stage for him. With a fourth place today, he will hope it can be the podium tomorrow.

Girmay – relegated. Tomorrow’s sprint is a new day and one that suits him better, if the Eritrean can handle the cold. The train looked good for a long time.

Pidcock – thrives in the weather but not certain if he will contest the sprint or not. Plus, his top speed doesn’t match a lot of other riders here. A top-10.

Vernon – his type of sprint. I think he can podium.

Milan – he must never be underestimated and he climbs well for his size. A top-10.

Mayrhofer – better after a tough finale. I assume he will top-10 tomorrow.

Zingle – loves a cold day and an uphill sprint. Third today was better than I thought, he should finish with a single-digit placement tomorrow.

Bauhaus – is a good uphill sprinter. Top-10.

Who will win?

I’m going 2/2 for Jasper Phillipsen. He was superior today.