As it happened: Tirreno-Adriatico stage 3

Hello and welcome back to Cyclingnews' live coverage of the 2024 Tirreno-Adriatico!

Today's stage is the longest of the week at 225km from Volterra to Gualdo Tadino, and takes in a hilly route heading away from the west coast.

Here's a map of the long route in store for the riders today.

225KM TO GO

Official start taken and stage 3 of Tirreno-Adriatico is underway! The riders will head straight into the hills with a good chance for a breakaway to form.

Here's race leader Juan Ayuso at a wet sign on this morning in Volterra.

Two riders unfortunately didn't start today: Michael Gogl (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Robert Gesink (Visma-Lease a Bike). 

For the second day running, Jan Stöckli (Corratec-Vini-Fantini) is ensuring his team are represented in front. He's joined in a small break by Samuele Zoccarato from VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè with advantage of just over 1:00.

There's little interest from the peloton as of yet as they head downhill. The duo's gap has gone out to 2:30.

A look at Zoccarato and Stöckli in the early break as they navigate the hills.

215KM TO GO

After 10km of racing, the peloton seem happy with letting the two men in front build a big lead. It's out towards the four-minute mark for now.

Advantage to the leaders has ballooned out to 6:10.

200KM TO GO

There isn't much for Zoccarato and Stöckli to chase while out in the lead, with the intermediate sprint point still 112km away and one categorised climb of the day arriving just 15km from the finish in Gualdo Tadino. But getting in the break is always important for the Italian teams at stage races.

The peloton have really eased off with that gap now at 9:10 after 30km of racing.

All calm in the peloton with a long day ahead.

A reminder that yesterday's stage was won by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck). He'll be looking to double up on victories today in what is an important contract year for the best sprinter in the world.

Jasper Philipsen continues to boost value in vital contract year

Standing in the way of Philipsen is a tough uphill final 3km. It's yet to be seen whether the sprinters can make it up here with a classified climb also in the final 20km of the stage.

180 KM TO GO

The leaders are now 11:30 ahead of the peloton and are just about to pass Siena, site of last weekend's Strade Bianche. Sadly Tadej Pogačar isn't actually racing Tirreno-Adriatico against fellow top GC rider Jonas Vingegaard. 

If you recognise the finish location Gualdo Tadino, it may be because Matej Mohorič won a thrilling stage of the 2018 Giro there.

More likely is that you remember it from the thrilling 2021 edition of Tirreno-Adriatico. On that day, with a similar stage and the same finish, Mathieu van der Poel bested a stacked field containing Wout van Aert, Tadej Pogačar and Julian Alaphilippe.

Van der Poel winning stage 3 of Tirreno-Adriatico in 2021 - the last time a stage finished in Gualdo Tadino.

170KM TO GO

Despite Philipsen's versatility, this does suggest a more punchy rider may be suited to the finish. Such as Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) or Axel Zingle (Cofidis). There are less elevation metres than the stage in 2021, however, which plays into the fast men's hands. 

In other Italian racing news, the Giro di Sicilia will not run in 2024 but instead, the new Giro d'Abruzzo will take its place from April 9-12 as a solid pre-Giro d'Italia option.

Giro di Sicilia switches to Abruzzo as Route d'Occitanie is off for 2024

160KM TO GO

Zoccarato and Stöckli are still just under 10 minutes in front of the peloton.

Michael Vink leads the peloton for UAE Team Emirates on stage 3 of Tirreno-Adriatico. 

The leading duo are on one of the longest uncategorised climbs of the day but judging by the 38km/h average speed, action is unlikely once the peloton reaches it.

Here's what third-place yesterday Axel Zingle had to say ahead of the stage:

"I know what the final suits me better, so I wish I do better today," he said.

"I think Philipsen is the man to beat, we also know that he is strong and that the climb in the final is not scary for him. Also Biniam Girmay is a good puncheur."

140KM TO GO

Situation remains the same for Zoccarato and Stöckli out in front. Gap at 10:46.

Neilson Powless also stated pre-race that Alberto Bettiol will be the option for EF Education-EasyPost come the finish, so watch out for the Italian in the final 3km.

No urgency yet in the peloton from the sprinter's teams, with UAE Team Emirates and Tudor Pro Cycling still holding position at the front of the bunch. 

Here's what Girmay had to say ahead of the stage. He was relegated for an irregular sprint on stage 2, but should suit today's finish.

“Yesterday’s stage was a good opportunity to test my condition, but today I think it’s an even bigger chance for me," he said. "In my opinion, it won’t be easy to control the race, because I’m not sure that many teams will want to try and keep the race closed.”

125KM TO GO

Just over 100 kilometres of racing completed now.

The gap to the two leaders has come down slightly to 8:00, with Zoccarato and Stöckli just swapping turns on the front. The good news is that it looks dry for the moment, but with some grey clouds in the distance. 

Here's another look at the two leaders. It's not completely calm between the two, with Stöckli encouraging his fellow escapee to contribute more. 

100KM TO GO

We're seeing images of rain falling at the finish which could make it more technical when the peloton reaches Gualdo Tadino. 

Reminder that there's over 2500 metres of elevation gain on the menu today, far from easy, but Alpecin-Deceuninck have found their way to the front with the heavy favourite Jasper Philipsen in their lineup. 

Puncture for Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma-Lease a Bike) who has dropped out the back of the peloton. It's a relatively quick change from the mechanic though, but the Belgian won't be bothered with no real urgency in the pace for the moment.  

90KM TO GO

Gap to the leaders down to 5:58 with some of the sprinter's teams finally showing themselves at the front. 

Around 5km to go until the intermediate sprint at Sant'Arcangelo.

Uncontested by the two leaders, Stöckli rolls over the line at the intermediate sprint in first without Zoccarato mounting any challenge. 

80KM TO GO

Stöckli had dropped from the breakaway perhaps giving in to his two successive days in the break. Zoccarato now leads on his own. 

With one bonus second left to claim on the line, Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) shot off the front to grab it with Juan Ayuso unable to chase him down before the line.

This cuts the American's deficit to Ayuso down to now 26 seconds. Every second could count as shown by Lennert Van Eetvelt at the UAE Tour, so it's fair enough. 

Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-QuickStep) is changing to some full-finger gloves after he was seen trying to shake the circulation back into his hands. The weather is only getting more miserable by the kilometre out on the course. 

65KM TO GO

Intermarché, Alpecin and Ineos are towards the front of the peloton. 

Race leader Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) is just keeping calm within his team train on stage 3. The finish probably won't be made hard enough for the GC men to fight it out, but Ayuso does have a strong kick should he need it. 

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) has stopped by the side of the road after being unable to remove one of his many layers in the miserable weather. 

60KM TO GO

Gap to Zoccarato is coming down, now at 3:38.

50KM TO GO

The lone leader Samuele Zoccarato on stage 3.

Intermaché-Wanty and Alpecin-Deceuninck's efforts have almost reeled back in Zoccarato. He's only 1:51 in front of the peloton now and it's just a matter of when. 

40KM TO GO

What will happen when Zoccarato is reabsored? The pace has been picking up for the last 20 kilometres with the build up to today's difficult ending really starting now.

Here's what much of the day's middle phase has looked like, an Intermarché and Aplecin rider swapping turns on the front to slowly reel back the breakaway. 

Zoccarato is leading just a few hundred metres ahead of the peloton through Petrignano. 

We're under 10km away from the foot of the crucial Casacastalda climb which is 7km long with an average gradient of 3.2%. It will prove incredibly important in the fight for the stage win.

Untimely bike change for Tao Geoghegan Hart (Lidl-Trek), but without too much time wasted.

30KM TO GO

Teams are getting into colour order before we get stuck into the climb, with Alpecin-Deceuninck and Jayco-AlUla bookending either side of the road. 

Zoccarato is well within view of the peloton, with the pace being upped as we close in on the hardest part of the climb.

EF Education-EasyPost are showing themselves towards the front in aid of Bettiol. Ethan Vernon has had a bike change and is trying to chase back on. 

20KM TO GO

With Zoccarato reeled in, the peloton are now left to battle it out for the stage win. It's still EF for now who are pushing the pace with 3km to the top of the climb. 

Ivan Garcia Cortina (Movistar) is the next rider to require a bike change. He would have been the option for the Spanish team in a punchy finish, but will now have some chase to get back in position. 

EF are blowing things to pieces at the front of the peloton. It's fully lined out in the bunch with the sprinters surely feeling the pain down in the pack. Olympic Champion Richard Carapaz is doing the work for now with Ben Healy close behind. 

That's the climb dealt with, but the American squad have done their best to make the racing hard and take some sting out of the purer sprinter's legs. 

Vingegaard has opted to move towards the front for safety as they navigate a small descent before the gradually rising final 10km to the line. 

10KM TO GO

He was the favourite for the day and was the winner yesterday, but how can Jasper Philipsen cope on the uphill stage 3 finale? Especially if EF Education-EasyPost continue to make it as hard as they did on the last climb. 

Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale are also driving things on the front with Andrea Vendrame another possible pick for the stage win. Ineos Grenadiers are up alongside them with Tom Pidcock suited to the explosive finale. 

There's a few crucial 90 degree corners and bends in the final run-in to Gualdo Tadino, so positioning will be crucial. 

5KM TO GO

Among the fast men that have definitely made it are Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Wanty), Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) and Magnus Cort, Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility).

The pace is really hotting up in the bunch now, as is the rider's body temperature with Philipsen removing his cold weather gear and exposing his ciclamino points jersey. 

Alpecin-Deceuninck must be confident in their man as Oscar Riesebeek is drilling it on the front for their sprinter with 3km to go. 

2KM TO GO

Alpecin have run out of helpers despite their efforts, leaving only one rider in front of Philipsen. Lidl-Trek have taken over for Milan with the final few ramps incoming. 

225km of racing will come down to an explosive, punchy finish. 

Corbin Strong is marshalling the Israel-Premier Tech to up the pace in preparation for the final. Milan is looking good on the back of their train with Philipsen a few wheels back. 

1KM TO GO

Crucial left hand turn is taken with Vernon still in place for Israel-Premier Tech. The sprinters have made it but can they finish it off?

Big turn coming with Bahrain Victorious making a late charge. 

Big crash in the final few corners!

It's Milan vs Bauhaus and the big German gets it at the line. Philipsen went down in the crash. 

Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious) wins stage 3 of Tirreno-Adriatico!

Kevin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) ended the day third after opening up the sprint early. Unfortunately for him, Bauhaus was on his wheel around the final left-hand bend and easy moved away from him in the finale. Milan lost positions in the corner behind some of Bauhaus' teammates and was left too big a job to do in the run to the line. 

Here's a photo of the finish. Pure mix of pain and elation on the face of Bauhaus with teammate Damiano Caruso's arms already up in the background. 

Here's what Bauhaus had to say after the stage win:

"To be honest no, when I checked the profile I was thinking it was pretty much on the limit for me," he said addressing that he thought today was maybe too difficult for him.

"I was suffering, of course, on the last climb but the team believed in me the whole day and yesterday evening they said it was a good chance for me.

"Into the last kilometre I was in perfect position then I luckily had the legs to do a good sprint and I'm super happy to have my first win this year."

Bahrain Victorious nailed their tactics today, moving up late with 500 metres to go. This washed Philipsen and Milan back down from the front and gave them prime position heading into the final bend. Bauhaus then picked the wheel of Vauquelin who was jumping early for glory and easily overhauled him. Caruso and Arndt were so well-placed that they also both finished in the top 10. 

Top ten on the day courtesy of FirstCycling

There's been some jersey changes with Jonathan Milan moving into the ciclamino points jersey from Philipsen after the Belgian crashed and didn't contest the sprint. Richard Carapaz also took over the green KOM jersey after his powerful pull on the only categorised climb of the day.

Juan Ayuso maintained his lead in the overall leader's blue jersey and best young rider's white jersey. 

Stage 3 of Tirreno-Adriatico was Bauhaus' first victory in over a season! No surprise to see him delighted after the finish with his teammates. 

Make sure to read our stage report from today's action:
Tirreno-Adriatico: Phil Bauhaus wins crash-marred sprint on stage 3

Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) held onto his GC lead with the big mountains still to come towards the end of the week.

Tomorrow's stage has an unusual profile with the hardest climb topping out 130 kilometres from the finish, but it is a mountain stage and could provide a chance for a strong breakaway to get ahead. The 207-kilometre fourth stage runs from Arrone to Giulianova, with the race finally reaching the Adriatic Sea ahead of the two crucial mountain days that will decide the overall winner on Friday and Saturday. 

That wraps things up for our live coverage of Tirreno-Adriatico today, but look out for more news and analysis from our man on the ground in Italy, Stephen Farrand. We'll of course be back tomorrow with live coverage of stage 4 which rolls out from Arrone at 10:20 CET.