UAE Team Emirates star Tadej Pogacar wins Tirreno-Adriatico

Slovenian rider adds Italian title to last month's UAE Tour triumph

UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar after winning the Tirreno Adriatico on Tuesday, March 16. AFP

A fourth-place finish in the seventh and final stage was enough for the UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar to clinch the Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy.

The Slovenian took the overall lead after winning Stage 4 in the mountains up to Prati di Tivo and held that advantage until the end to add a second title following his season-opening triumph in the UAE Tour in February.

Pogacar had a buffer of a minute and 15 seconds over his nearest rival Jumbo-Vismas’ Wout Van Aert going into the final day and the Tour de France winner did enough to hold on to his lead.

The stage honours went to Van Aert with Pogacar finishing 12 seconds behind the winner.

Along with the overall title, Pogacar also clinched the mountains classification and the award for the best young rider.

He will now take a short break before taking aim at the Tour of the Basque Country and the Ardennes classics.

“It’s been a hard week of racing,” he said. “This is one of the most prestigious one-week races so I’m really happy to get the win.

“I felt the hard week in the legs today but I’m happy with my ride. Now I’ll take a rest and build up towards Basque Country.”