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Tirreno-Adriatico stage 2 - Live coverage

Tirreno-Adriatico stage 2 profile 2022

(Image credit: RCS Sport)

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Ganna storms to victory in Tirreno-Adriatico time trial opener

Evenepoel: My only hope at Tirreno-Adriatico is if Pogacar has a really bad day

Stage result

1 Tim Merlier (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 05:23:53

2 Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma

3 Kaden Groves (Aus) BikeExchange-Jayco

4 Peter Sagan (Svk) TotalEnergies

5 Simone Consonni (Ita) Cofidis

6 Phil Bauhaus (Ger) Bahrain Victorious

7 Davide Ballerini (Ita) Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team

8 Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Israel-Premier Tech

9 Jacopo Guarnieri (Ita) Groupama-FDJ

10 Andrea Vendrame (Ita) AG2R Citroen Team

General classifiation after stage 2

1 Filippo Ganna (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers 5:40:40

2 Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team 0:00:11

3 Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:17

4 Kasper Asgreen (Den) Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team 0:00:24

5 Alex Dowsett (GBr) Israel-Premier Tech 0:00:25

6 Thymen Arensman (Ned) Team DSM 0:00:28

7 Tobias Ludvigsson (Swe) Groupama-FDJ 0:00:32

8 Jos van Emden (Ned) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:33

9 Matteo Sobrero (Ita) BikeExchange-Jayco 0:00:39

10 Lawson Craddock (USA) BikeExchange-Jayco

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Hello and welcome to our live coverage of stage 2 of Tirreno-Adriatico, the longest day of the race at a mammoth 219 kilometres.

We're 20 minutes from the start of the stage, which takes the peloton inland from Camaiore to Sovicille in Tuscany near Siena.

Here's our recap of what happened during the opening time trial yesterday...

AJMAN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FEBRUARY 22 Filippo Ganna of Italy and Team INEOS Grenadiers sprints during the 4th UAE Tour 2022 Stage 3 a 9km Individual Time Trial stage from Ajman to Ajman ITT UAETour WorldTour on February 22 2022 in Ajman United Arab Emirates Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

(Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Monday's win was the 19th of Ganna's career, 17 of which have come in a time trial. The Italian now holds the leader's blue jersey by 11 seconds from Remco Evenepoel.

CAMAIORE ITALY MARCH 07 Filippo Ganna of Italy and Team INEOS Grenadiers celebrates winning the blue leader jersey on the podium ceremony after the 57th TirrenoAdriatico 2022 Stage 1 a 139km individual time trial from Lido di Camaiore to Lido di Camaiore TirrenoAdriatico on March 07 2022 in Camaiore Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

(Image credit: Tim de WaeleGetty Images)

Alpecin-Fenix's Tim Merlier should be one of the men suited to today's stage...

Just under 10 minutes until the riders start their day.

Evenepoel struck a pessimistic note after yesterday's stage, even though he gained some time on GC rival Tadej Pogačar...

And they're off. The riders have rolled out to start stage 2.

While Ganna holds the blue leader's jersey and the ciclamino points jersey, it's Evenepoel who is in white as the top young rider after the opening stage.

Tirreno Adriatico 2022 - 57th Edition - 1st stage Lido di Camaiore - Lido di Camaiore 13,9 km - 07/03/2022 - Remco Evenepoel (BEL - Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team) - photo Luca Bettini/SprintCyclingAgency©2022

(Image credit: Sprint Cycling Agency)

As a result of Ganna holding two jerseys, third-placed Pogačar will be in the ciclamino today.

Pogačar looking at that famous trophy he won last year during the sign-on in Camaiore.

Tirreno Adriatico 2022 - 57th Edition - 2nd stage Camaiore - Sovicille 219 km - 08/03/2022 - Tadej Pogacar (SLO - UAE Team Emirates) - photo Tommaso Pelagalli/SprintCyclingAgency©2022

(Image credit: Tommaso Pelagalli/SprintCyclingAgency 2022)

The peloton is still rolling towards km0 at the moment.

A nice gesture at the beginning of the first road stage of the race – Ukrainian Mark Padun at the head of the peloton alongside the jersey holders.

Riders and fans staged a minute of silence to honour the victims of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Tirreno Adriatico 2022 - 57th Edition - 2nd stage Camaiore - Sovicille 219 km - 08/03/2022 - Filippo Ganna (ITA - INEOS Grenadiers) - Mark Padun (UKR - EF Education - EasyPost) - Tadej Pogacar (SLO - UAE Team Emirates) - Remco Evenepoel (BEL - Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team) - photo Roberto Bettini/SprintCyclingAgency©2022

(Image credit: Roberto Bettini/SprintCyclingAgency 2022)

Back to the racing and the peloton have let several riders jump away right at the off.

Johnatan Cañaveral and Davide Gabburo are out front for Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè. They're joined by Eolo-Kometa pair Davide Bais and Francesco Gavazzi, plus fellow Italian ProTeam representative Umberto Marengo.

207km to go

Only one classified climb and one intermediate sprint during today's stage. They come after 151 and 190 kilometres of racing.

It's moving billboard duty for the breakaway riders for much of the stage, then.

The opening 90 or so kilometres of today's stage are more or less pan flat, and with the breakaway already up the road there's unlikely to be a whole lot to talk about during these early parts of the day.

Some news from yesterday – Tom Pidcock to stay at Ineos Grenadiers

The Briton garnered interest from several other major teams and bike brands keen to emphasise his multi-disciplinary talents. However, he's set to stay at the team, Cyclingnews understands.

BURGOS SPAIN AUGUST 15 Thomas Pidcock of United Kingdom and Team INEOS Grenadiers crosses the finishing line during the 76th Tour of Spain 2021 Stage 2 a 1667km stage from Caleruega Monasterio de Santo Domingo de Guzmn to Burgos Gamonal lavuelta LaVuelta21 CapitalMundialdelCiclismo on August 15 2021 in Burgos Spain Photo by Stuart FranklinGetty Images

(Image credit: Stuart FranklinGetty Images)

196km to go

Tadej Pogačar put in a strong ride to finish on the podium of yesterday's time trial. He's still the overall favourite despite shedding some time to Evenepoel. After the stage he said that "there are some big days to come."

Tirreno Adriatico 2022 57th Edition Lido di Camaiore Press Conference 06032022 Tadej Pogacar SLO UAE Team Emirates photo Luca BettiniSprintCyclingAgency2022

(Image credit: Sprint Cycling Agency)

180km to go

We also have live coverage from today's third stage at Paris-Nice today. At 190.8 kilometres it's a long one there, too.

164km to go

A look at the riders in today's breakaway...

Tirreno-Adriatico stage 2 2022 breakaway

(Image credit: RCS Sport)

The gap continues to come down slightly, though it's still up at 5:40.

Yesterday's time trial saw the continuation of a neat aero exploit by winner Filippo Ganna and second-placed Remco Evenepoel. The trick? Stacking bikes on the roof of their team car.

CAMAIORE ITALY MARCH 07 Filippo Ganna of Italy and Team INEOS Grenadiers sprints during the 57th TirrenoAdriatico 2022 Stage 1 a 139km individual time trial from Lido di Camaiore to Lido di Camaiore TirrenoAdriatico on March 07 2022 in Camaiore Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images

(Image credit: Tim de WaeleGetty Images)

145km to go

The riders are still working their way across the flat section to begin the stage. They're currently in the province of Pisa in Tuscany. The second half of the stage will see them race through the province of Siena.

The race has just passed through Peccioli, home of the Coppa Sabatini. Michael Valgren won that race last year and he's in the peloton here. Today's finale is quite different to the Coppa Sabatini's uphill finish, though.

Find out how to watch the race live with our handy guide here – How to watch Tirreno-Adriatico 2022 – live TV and streaming

135km to go

The break's advantage is down to five minutes now.

UAE Team Emirates working on behalf of Pogačar in the peloton.

Tirreno Adriatico 2022 - 57th Edition - 2nd stage Camaiore - Sovicille 219 km - 08/03/2022 - Tadej Pogacar (SLO - UAE Team Emirates) - photo Luca Bettini/SprintCyclingAgency©2022

(Image credit: Luca Bettini/SprintCyclingAgency 2022)

120km to go

It's a pretty calm situation at the moment as the gap continues to hover at around the five-minute mark. We're still 70 kilometres away from the first and only classified climb of the day.

The riders are taking on the first small hills of the day, though nothing to cause any real problems.

The break's advantage has fallen slightly once again, this time to just under four minutes.

107km to go

Still the same five men out front – Johnatan Cañaveral, Davide Gabburo (Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè), Davide Bais, Francesco Gavazzi (Eolo-Kometa), Umberto Marengo (Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli)

101km to go

Lotto Soudal commanding the front of the peloton at the moment. They're working for their sprinter Caleb Ewan at the finish today.

Two of Ewan's rival, Italian sprinters Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers) and Giacomo Nizzolo (Israel-Premier Tech), share a joke in the peloton.

Tirreno Adriatico 2022 - 57th Edition - 2nd stage Camaiore - Sovicille 219 km - 08/03/2022 - Elia Viviani (ITA - INEOS Grenadiers) - Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA - Israel - Premier Tech) photo Luca Bettini/SprintCyclingAgency©2022

(Image credit: Luca Bettini/SprintCyclingAgency 2022)

A look at Ewan among his Lotto teammates at the head of the peloton at the moment.

Tirreno Adriatico 2022 - 57th Edition - 2nd stage Camaiore - Sovicille 219 km - 08/03/2022 - Caleb Ewan (AUS - Lotto Soudal) - photo Luca Bettini/SprintCyclingAgency©2022

(Image credit: Luca Bettini/SprintCyclingAgency 2022)

Skujins: I have to be vocal about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, everybody does

Quinn Simmons raising funds to help DS Popovych's evacuation efforts

Toms Skujins

(Image credit: Getty)

80km to go

The peloton have brought down the gap to 3:45 now. It's up and down, lumpy terrain at the moment.

Lotto Soudal continue to lead way at the head of the peloton. Blue jersey Ganna follows close behind, with the Ineos, UAE, and QuickStep squads right behind him.

67km to go

2:30 for the break now as the peloton speeds up. The day's only classified climb is coming up soon.

Some information on today's finish from our reporter on the ground in Italy Stephen Farrand...

"The final 3km after the left turn are slightly downhill and so pretty fast. The final kilometre snakes left and right a fair bit and is only seven metres wide."

Stage 3 of Paris-Nice has just finished. Check out the results here.

62km to go

Bais now out front alone after attacking once again.

59km to go

 Bais duly takes the KOM.

54km to go

2:20 between peloton and the front-runners. 30 seconds between the splits in the break.

Cañaveral caught by the peloton.

45km to go

On a flat section now – Bais and Gavazzi continue to push on out front while Gabburo lies at 1:05.

40km to go

It's over for Gabburo now. 2:30 up to the Eolo-Kometa pair.

The Eolo-Kometa pair are continuing to plough onwards. They won't make the finish out front but they're giving it a good fight. Still 2:10 back to the peloton.

33km to go

More hills here and Mark Cavendish, who said at the start of the day that he's suffering from a cold, is losing contact at the rear of the peloton.

It's been a turbulent year for Astana Qazaqstan and the bad news keeps on coming as the paying agent and license holder behind the Kazakhstani squad are under judicial investigation in Luxembourg.

Read the full story on Astana's latest troubles here

LAGOS PORTUGAL FEBRUARY 16 Joseph Lloyd Dombrowski of United States and Team Astana Qazaqstan injurys after crossing the line the 48th Volta Ao Algarve 2021 Stage 1 a 1991km at stage from Portimo to Lagos VAlgarve2022 on February 16 2022 in Lagos Portugal Photo by Luc ClaessenGetty Images

(Image credit: Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

Bais and Gavazzi are at the top of the hill in Chiusdino now, where the day's intermediate sprint is located.

Now 30 seconds further back, Tadej Pogačar jumps out of the peloton to try and grab a bonus second for third across the line.

28km to go

Pogačar took that bonus second despite an attempt from Ineos Grenadiers to stop him.

Cavendish said at the start that a stage like this would've been a nailed-on sprint a decade ago. He's fighting to get back to the peloton at the moment.

23km to go

The Eolo-Kometa duo still continue on. They're 40 seconds up the road now.

Cavendish has two QuickStep teammates with him, while Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) is chasing with them.

The group joins back up with the peloton ahead of the final hill of the day, which comes up next.

20km to go

Soler continues to push on. He's 23 seconds up on the peloton here.

You have to wonder how UAE's sprinter Pascal Ackermann feels today. If they're sending men on the attack here then maybe not too great. Or maybe he's in top shape and they're just making it a hard climb for some of the other sprinters.

Groupama-FDJ lead the peloton for Arnaud Démare.

16km to go

The Eolo-Kometa pair were already brought back, by the way.

14km to go

Groupama-FDJ are really pulling here but Soler is still 30 seconds up. They're heading down the descent off the climb now.

The seconds are slowly ebbing away as Soler continues down towards the flat roads to the finish.

10km to go

Groupama-FDJ are joined at the front of the peloton by Arkéa-Samsic (riding for Nacer Bouhanni).

Bahrain Victorious also joining the fray for Phil Bauhaus.

7km to go

He won't last too much longer – on this straight road the peloton can see him out front.

Now the seconds are edging back up to 20 seconds.

5km to go

Arkéa, Lotto, Israel, Bahrain across the front of the peloton.

3km to go

Race leader Ganna now moves to the front as Soler is caught at the 3km banner.

Ganna driving it on one side with Israel and BikeExchange behind him. Alpecin-Fenix driving it on the other side.

TotalEnergies move up, too.

2km to go

A high speed charge to the line now.

1km to go

Ben Swift also up there among the Israel riders.

QuickStep are going!

Sagan third wheel behind the lead QuickStep duo.

Sagan launches first!

It's Sagan vs Merlier on the sweeping bend around to the line.

And it's Merlier who grabs the win in the closing metres! First win of the season for him.

Merlier came off Sagan's wheel. Kaden Groves behind moved up too and followed Merlier past Sagan. Merlier was a level above at the line, though.

Here's the top 10...

Merlier celebrates his first win of the season as he crosses the line.

Tirreno Adriatico 2022 - 57th Edition - 2nd stage Camaiore - Sovicille 219 km - 08/03/2022 - Tim Merlier (BEL - Alpecin - Fenix) - Olav Kooij (NED - Team Jumbo - Visma) - Kaden Groves (AUS - Team BikeExchange - Jayco) - photo Luca Bettini/SprintCyclingAgency©2022

(Image credit: Sprint Cycling Agency)

Our report on stage 2 of Tirreno-Adriatico

Tim Merlier powers to a convincing win

(Image credit: Tissot)

Here's what Merlier had to say after the finish...

"It feels really good. The shape is already good for a long time, but the end results didn't work out so I'm happy I can take the first victory here in Italy.

"It was really hectic again. The first goal of the day was to survive the mountains. In the end it was just the guys of the team bringing me in a good position and it was all for myself – I needed to sprint to the finish.

"We'll see," he noted, referring to designs on adding to his win total at the race. "We already have the first victory – that was the goal of the week – and now we'll go for more."

That's all from our live coverage of today's second stage. Be sure to check back on the site for more news coming in from the race and, of course, more live coverage of Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice tomorrow.

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