Spaniard takes solo stage win and leaders jersey
Saturday 15 March, 2025
Juan Ayuso took an impressive victory on stage 6 of Tirreno-Adriatico, taking a solo win and climbing to the top of the overall rankings with just one day of racing remaining. The young Spaniard, who has been duelling with race leader Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers) all week succeeded in dropping the Italian on the final climb on the mountainous leg of the race from Cartoceto to Frontignano (136km).
Isaac Del Toro and Adam Yates put in a sterling effort to control the group on the final climb before Ayuso was ready to make his move.
Ayuso launched first at 4.3km to go , causing the group to whittle down dramatically with only Tom Pidcock (Q.36) (2nd) Jai Hindley (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe) (3rd) and a handful of other favourites able to react. The Spaniard persisted with the surges and found himself solo with -3.5km and quickly built up a lead on his rivals and critically, on race leader Ganna. He would hold a margin of 13” to the line and finds himself well placed ahead of the final stage of the race tomorrow from Porto Potenza Picena to San Benedetto del Tronto(147km).
Ayuso : “We worked really well. The team did an amazing job. The last kilometre or so I suffered a bit but I’m glad I made it. In the final we knew we had to make it hard. It was quite windy, and on a wheel you could save a lot. I am glad I got on the wheel of Del Toro because I was really suffering on his wheel, but everybody else was suffering also. I just went for it and I knew I just had to put in my tempo to the top.
It feels great to be back in the leaders jersey. Last year I had it all week and lost it at the end to a stronger rider. This was one of my big goals this year leading up to the Giro so I’m really happy and proud of my team for all they’ve done. We’ll aim to finish things off tomorrow.”
It marks the third win of the season for Ayuso who took victories in the Faun Drome Classic and Trofeo Laigueglia already this season. The tally of triumphs for the Emirati outfit now sits at 17 so far in 2025.
Stage 6 results
1.Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 4:14:02
2.Thomas Pidcock (Q.36 Pro Cycling) +13”
3.Jai Hindley (Red Bull Bora) s.t
General Classification after stage 6
1.Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 25:33:17
2.Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain-Victorious) +37”
3.Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers) +38”
