First breakaway for Ganna as a pro rider

Ganna lived his first breakaway as pro and Rui Costa tried an anticipated attack in the 5th stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico, 209 km from Rieti to Fermo, with a hilly final part of the course where the steepclimb (“muri”) selected heavily the group.

After a start at a high speed, Ganna joined an attack attempt of 10 riders (photo Bettini), which succeeded in going clear from the peloton.
Unfortunately, after having reached a maximum advantage of 3’15”, the chasing group raised the pace and the breakaway was soon neutralized while the attackers were climbing the first categoraized ascent of Capo di Monte.
This breakaway was the first joined by Ganna as pro cyclist.

Riding at a very high pace, the group approached the final part of the stage and there was selection on the hill of Capodarco.
At -25 km, Rui tried to anticipate the other contenders for the general classification, attacking with Kreuziger and Rosa on the steephill of Fermo (more than 20% of gradient): the trio, which was joined by Caruso, led the race for 2 km, however the chasers reacted and bridged the gap.
Rui pedaled in the head group until the attack from Quintana at -5 km, then he was dropped and reached the arrival in 22nd place at 50″ to the winner Sagan.

In the general classification, the Portuguese from UAE Team Emirates is 17th at 3’09” from Quintana.

“My goal was to anticipate and, later in the race, act as a support for Rui and Mohoric, who were the team’s most important cyclists for the team in today stage – Ganna explained – Unfortunately, the chasers reacted soon and my first breakaway did not last too long“.

Sports director Marzano analyzed the stage: “The average speed was very high and this factor prevented that a breakaway with strong riders could aim to the stage victory.
Ganna joined the main breakaway, which was neutralized by the bunch after half course, however Filippo is living new experiences in the pro world and everything is good for him in order to improve his skills.

Rui was in the front positions of the top riders group, he was aware that the general classification contenders could have been more competitive in the final kilometers, so he tried to anticipate them, attacking at 25 km.
Unfortunately, there was no freedom for anybody today and so Rui’s action was neutralized“.

ORDINE D’ARRIVO
1- Sagan 5h00’05”
2- Pinot s.t.
3- Roglic s.t.
4- Thomas s.t.
5- Mollema s.t.
22- Rui Costa 50″
70- Mohoric 11’07”, 75- Marcato s.t., 85- Laengen s.t., 99- Modolo 21’30”, 156- Ganna 24’58”, 158- Ferrari s.t., 162- Kump 27’08”

CLASSIFICA GENERALE
1- Quintana 21h34’51”
2- Pinot 50″
3- Dennis 1’06”
4- Roglic 1’15”
5- Dumuolin 1’19”
17- Rui Costa 3”09″