Roglič triumphantly raised Neptune’s trident into the air

San Benedetto Del Tronto, 154 km:     
  1. J. PHILIPSEN      BEL     3:32:36
  2. D. GROENEWEGEN    NIZ         vsi
  3. A. DAINESE        ITA            
  4. P. BAUHAUS        NEM            
  5. S. CONSONNI       ITA        isti
 ...                                  
 51. P. ROGLIČ         SLO            
 71. L. MEZGEC         SLO         čas

Končni vrstni red:                    
  1. P. ROGLIČ         SLO    28:38:57
  2. J. ALMEIDA        POR       +0:18
  3. T. GEOGHEGAN HART VB         0:23
  4. L. KÄMNA          NEM        0:34
  5. G. CICCONE        ITA        0:37
  6. M. LANDA          ŠPA        0:56
 ...                                  
119. L. MEZGEC         SLO     1:07:04

Roglič thus won the race of the two seas for the second time in his career, the first time since 2019. Slovenia’s dominance in the race thus continues, he won the previous two editions Tadej Pogačar, who won the Paris-Nice Race today. A unique period of Slovenian cycling.

Neptune’s Trident the man from Kisov secured three consecutive stage victories when he crushed his opponents on the target climbs. In the end, the Portuguese came closest to him João Almeida (UAE Emirates), which was 18 seconds behind.

At 33 years and 128 days, Roglič became, among other things, the fourth oldest overall winner in the race of two seas. Only the Dutchman was older Joop Zoetemelkwho celebrated in 1985 at the age of 38 years and 94 days, Italian Stefano Garzelliwho was the best in 2010 at 36 years and 237 days, and the Australian Cadel Evanswho was first a year later at 34 years and 23 days.

Together with Pogačar, he is now tied for second place on the all-time list for the number of total victories in the Race from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Adriatic Sea. Both celebrated twice. Only the Belgian has more victories Roger De Vlaeminckwhich is between 1972 and 1977 Neptune’s Trident won six times.

The 154 kilometer long last stage of this year’s Race from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Adriatic Sea started and ended in San Benedetto del Tronto, except that the first part of the stage was a bit more eventful.

Among other things, the cyclists had to overcome a steep categorized climb, but the last 80 kilometers along the Adriatic coast were completely flat, which provided an ideal opportunity for the sprinters.

Otherwise, the stage passed in the sign of fugitives. Eight riders decided to escape, they had already built up a good lead over the main group, which slowly but steadily closed the gap at the end of the stage.

However, it swallowed the fugitives 3.2 kilometers before the finish line. The battle for the best position of the sprinters before the final sprint began. In the last kilometers, the route narrowed considerably, which caused a lot of problems for many.

Sprint trains were formed, in the end the Belgian showed the most strength in the finish sprint Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin Deceuninck), who gained a decisive advantage over the Dutchman in the last meters Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco AlUla) and the locals Albert Dainese (DSM). This was the 25th career victory for the 25-year-old Philipsen.

Roglič, who took the stage in the safe shelter of his teammates, crossed the finish line in 51st place, the second Slovenian representative Luka Mezgec (Jayco AlUla) was 71. Both crossed the finish line in the winner’s time.

At the final event, Roglič had to change his clothes all the time. He won the jersey for the final victory, he also won the points total, in which he was two points ahead of stage winner Philipsen, he also became the best hillclimber of the race, winning 25 points, five more than the second-placed Italian Davide Bais (EOLO Comet). Almeida won the white jersey for the best young rider, the team victory went to the UAE Emirates team.

58. TYRRHENO-ADRIATIC

Stage 7, San Benedetto del Tronto, 154 km