Tirreno-Adriatico – 5th stage: Warren Barguil (Arkéa-Samsic) wins solo at Fermo

Blue-white-red fireworks in Italy. At the end of a crazy 5th stage disputed between Sefro and Fermo (155 km), Warren Barguil went to seek a prestigious victory, the first of the Breton in World Tour for more than four years. The climber-puncher from the Arkéa-Samsic team was able to take advantage of a steep finish to win ahead of his breakaway companions. Also stirring, Xandro Meurisse (Alpecin-Fenix) had to settle for second place, ahead of Simone Velasco (Astana-Qazaqstan), third.

After laying a mine on the penultimate listed climb of the day, Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) once again failed on the descent, going straight. In the end, everything was back to normal for the Belgian, well present in the group of favorites at the finish. Sovereign and alert, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates) retains his leader’s tunic on the eve of the queen stage.

Barguil festival

Like an air of classic. It may have lacked the dusty paths of Tuscany, but the symmetry of the arrivals from Fermo and Siena lends itself to vagueness, as the end of this 5th stage married the same characteristics as that of the Strade Bianche. And given that he loves the decor and the classics, it was not surprising to find Warren Barguil at the front, surrounded by eleven friends who had escaped after a first half of the race which was blown down at full speed. In a strong group, where Benjamin Thomas played the carrot of the azzurro jersey for a long time, he who was only 1’08” (12th) this morning, the Breton quickly gave the impression of floating.

With a gap of around four minutes (40 km from the goal) despite the joint efforts of Richeze, Bjerg and Ackermann in the UAE Emirates formation, the twelve fugitives gave themselves the means to believe it. Hyperactive at the front, perhaps even too determined, Barguil first tested the ground, pointed out the weaknesses of his congeners, before knocking out his neighbors at the foot of the second ascent of Fermo by the side of Strada Calderari (5 km before the line).

Discreet, unlike the Breton, Valentin Ferron (TotalEnergies) came out of his box to follow the wheel of the climber. The second was finally the right one for the winner of the day, unclinging his compatriot 2.8 km from the line and resisting the return of Meurisse and Velasco to Fermo. Barguil (30) thus offers a first success this season, the seventh of his career.

Evenepoel attacks then misses

Behind, the motivations of the leaders as for the stage victory left room for doubt, that of the waste. We were at least sure of one thing, that Remco Evenepoel was going to move. Wish granted with this shotgun fired by the Belgian 8 km from the line. Concentrated and lively on his pedals, Tadej Pogacar followed the powerful attack of the Flemish prodigy, followed by Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma). The trio then progressed on a downhill portion and at that time, Evenepoel made a new miss. The Fleming went straight and dragged his two rivals into a marked street. More lucid, Pogacar and Vingegaard turned around without delay.

It took the help of a few team members and a real hustle and bustle at the front of the peloton, between aborted offensives and general wavering, for Evenepoel to regain his place. In the midst of all this vagueness, only Richie Porte (INEOS-Grenadiers, 5th at 2” from Barguil) beat Tadej Pogacar (6th at 28”) on arrival. Finally, Evenepoel was there on the line. The only consequence in general, Filippo Ganna (INEOS-Grenadiers) tumbled. Behind Pogacar and Evenepoel (+9”), it is therefore Arensman (+43”) who completes the provisional podium. Provisional, because from Saturday stands the queen stage of this Race of the two seas cuvée 2022.