Cadel Evans wins Tirreno-Adriatico title, Cancellara claims stage
- By Brian Holcombe
- Published Mar. 15, 2011
SAN BENEDETTO DEL TRONTO, Italy (VN) – World time trial champion Fabian Cancellara (Leopard-Trek) capped a week in Italy with a stage win on the final day of Tirreno-Adriatico on Tuesday. Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) defended his maglia azzura with a solid ride to earn his place atop the final podium. Rabobank’s Robert Gesink lept over Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) and Ivan Basso (Liquigas-Cannondale) to take second in the final overall.
Evans entered Tuesday’s stage 7 with a nine-second advantage over stage 4 winner Scarponi. Basso sat 12 seconds away and Gesink at 15 seconds.
“I was reasonably sure I’d keep jersey today, but in cycling you can never be sure,” said Evans. “Against lesser time trialists or specialist climbers, it was a good position to be in.”
Cancellara was the 54th rider to roll down the start ramp a block from the Adriatic coast. He carried his rainbow skinsuit over the 9.3km course 11 seconds faster than previous leader, Lars Boom. After Boom won the prologue at the Tour of Qatar and last Wednesday’s opening team time trial, it was Cancellara’s first TT win over the Rabobank rider in three tries this season.
“Yes, of course, I’m very, very happy,” said Cancellara. “I’m extremely satisfied to have my first victory with Leopard-Trek.”
Evans took control of the seven-day tour Monday with a demonstrative stage win in Macerata. The short time trial on the Riviera was a nearly perfectly flat final test to close the third WorldTour stage race of the season. Evans sprinted away from the start house at 3:52 p.m. on dry roads and under heavy skies. Eleven minutes later, the Aussie was out of the saddle on the finish straight, drawing his lips tightly as he ran on the pedals.
Gesink was the only rider near the top of the GC to top Evans and the BMC leader secured an overall win 13 days after his racing season began.
The win was Cancellara’s first of 2011 and came four days before the first one-day monument of the season at Milan-San Remo.
“I’m looking ahead to Milan-San Remo, but first I will celebrate my birthday,” said Cancellara, who turns 30 on Friday. The Swiss won Milan-San Remo in 2008.
Race notes
Davide Malacarne (Quick-Step) took home the final mountains jersey Tuesday, while Scarponi left with the points jersey and the most combative award. Gesink secured the young rider’s shirt, which he’d worn since the opening team time trial.
Preliminary results:
Stage 7:
- 1. Fabian CANCELLARA, (SUI) Leopard-Trek, at 10:33
- 2. Lars BOOM, (NED) Rabobank Cycling Team, at 9
- 3. Adriano MALORI, (ITA) Lampre-Farnese Vini, at 19
- 4. Rick FLENS, (NED) Rabobank Cycling Team, at 20
- 5. Bert GRABSCH, (GER) HTC-Highroad, at 22
FINAL GC:
- 1. Cadel EVANS, BMC Racing Team, in 27:37:37
- 2. Robert GESINK, Rabobank Cycling Team, at 11
- 3. Michele SCARPONI, Lampre-Farnese Vini, at 15
- 4. Ivan BASSO, Liquigas-Doimo, at 24
- 5. Vincenzo NIBALI, Liquigas-Doimo, at 30
FILED UNDER: News / Race Report / Road TAGS: Cadel Evans / Fabian Cancellara / Tirreno-Adriatico
Brian Holcombe
Brian Holcombe is the editor of VeloNews.com. Holcombe joined VeloNews in 2009 following years spent introducing students to whitewater kayaking and working in avalanche control, among other more risky ventures. His graduate work in communications at the University of Denver focuses on innovation and digital media management. Holcombe is a CSU Ram fan and proud parent and has been accused of attacking too much on the VN lunch ride. Follow him on Twitter @FCBrian.