Tirreno-Adriatico stage 6 - live coverage

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the penultimate stage of Tirreno-Adriatico.

Today's stage takes the riders up and over Monte Carpegna twice as the queen stage of the race. Pogačar vs Evenepoel for the overall.

The six kilometre climb averages 9.9 per cent and was a favourite of Marco Pantani, with the Italian training on the climb before his main goals of the season.

Tirreno-Adriatico: Pantani's Monte Carpegna climb to test Pogacar’s dominance

A closer look at the steep slopes of the climb.

The riders have rolled out to start the stage.

The peloton will roll 2.4km through the neutral zone.

There will be almost 180km of racing before the riders hit Carpegna. On the way it's mostly flat and rolling roads, with one climb and one intermediate sprint en route.

The official start has been given and the stage is underway. 155 riders kick off stage 6.

Arkéa-Samsic riders Thibault Guernalec and Dan McLay are the two non-starters today.

The opening kilometres of the stage are run downhill, so the pace is fast from the off. Attacks fly at the front of the peloton as riders fight for the breakaway.

210km to go

No moves have gone just yet.

We're also live at Paris-Nice today as the riders take on the Col de Turini.

You can follow that live coverage here

200km to go

The riders are zipping along to start the day. So far no breakaway.

Here's what race leader Tadej Pogačar said before the stage...

"It's the history of cycling. Today we ride on a historical climb. I think there's a lot of riders that feel really good here. Today is a good test for everybody.

"I don't like it so cold. I'd prefer it warm but normally in cold weather my legs are fine. At the top it should be 3°C. I hope we don't freeze downhill.

"For now all the top 10 are pretty dangerous. But as I saw Remco and Vingegaard have a good kick and good legs. But today is a different race."

The downhill section is interrupted by an unclassified hill. A good time for a break to jump away?

A look at the jersey holders as today's stage got underway a little while ago.

Tadej Pogačar is in blue as race leader. Pogačar leads the ciclamino jersey points classification and the white jersey young riders classification but Remco Evenepoel and Thymen Arensman wear them on his behalf. Quinn Simmons wears green as KOM leader.

195km to go

Up the climb, four men have a gap on the peloton.

Benoît Cosenfroy (AG2R Citroën) is out front with Marco Haller (Bora-Hansgrohe), Davide Bais (Eolo-Kometa), and Alexander Konychev (BikeExchange-Jayco).

Davide Bais has been out in the break a couple of times already in this race. He formerly held the green mountains jersey and will be looking to grab it back today. He lies 5 points down on Quinn Simmons.

Israel-Premier Tech and Trek-Segafredo lead the peloton behind. They are 30 seconds down on the break.

190km to go

A counter-attacking group tries to make it away.

Now 20 seconds for the break as the counter-attackers are caught.

180km to go

Jhonatan Narváez (Ineos Grenadiers) is forced to abandon after a crash.

Meanwhile, 10 men are on the attack now. 20 seconds back to the peloton.

The riders are back on the downhill here. Not too steep but still a fast pace.

Some big names in the new breakaway, which now has a minute on the peloton...

Cosenfroy, Haller, Konychev and Bais have been joined by Alex Aranburu and Lluis Mas (Movistar Team), Julian Alaphilippe and Mikkel Honoré (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team), and Quinn Simmons (Trek-Segafredo).

175km to go

That should be our final break of the day.

A 46.6kph average speed so far.

160km to go

3:25 for the break now, a comfortable gap as they roll along the flat roads.

It's a calm situation out on the road at the moment.

The same can't quite be said of Paris-Nice, which has seen 154 riders at the start of the race turn into just 102 today.

Groupama-FDJ's Kevin Geniets is one of the latest riders to leave the race after a freak accident at the start.

Narváez on the ground after his crash earlier on. He has looked on top form recently; hopefully the Ecuadorian is not too badly hurt.

150km to go

We're set to see a battle between Simmons and Bais for KOM points today. Under 20km to go until the first climb of the stage.

A busy for us as we have three live reports on the go. As well as Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice we have live coverage of the Ronde van Drenthe!

Check out the action from the second round of the Women's WorldTour here

UAE Team Emirates and Arkéa-Samsic are among the teams working at the head of the peloton at the moment.

Here's what Remco Evenepoel had to say before the start.

"It's another day. First we need to feel the legs and we'll see what happens.

"Today will be a very hard stage and very cold as well. I think the most important thing will be to stay warm in the descents and try the second time up Carpegna with fresh legs and a good feeling.

"We all know that the two best climbers from last year's Tour de France are here so I think my only goal is to follow them."

The Belgian also told of how he has improved in stressful situations and how he and his team has worked on his descending and confidence.

A look at the breakaway with Simmons leading the way. His rival for green, Davide Bais, is just on the left of shot.

137km to go

Four minutes between break and peloton at the moment.

The riders are tackling a hilly mid-section to the stage now, though the climbs are uncategorised.

Among the highlights from yesterday's stage was when the GC attackers took a wrong turn in mid-flight. The error almost certainly confirmed the stage win for Warren Barguil, though the trio didn't lose any time as a result.

Pogacar, Evenepoel, Vingegaard take wrong turn at Tirreno-Adriatico

Meanwhile, the break have gone over the climb at Mombaroccio. It was Simmons vs Bais on the hill and the American prevailed, adding five points to his KOM lead.

Simmons now has 20 points to Bais' 13.

120km to go

The gap remains at around the four-minute mark, currently 4:20

The two climbs of Monte Carpegna give 15 points each, by the way.

Lefevere: Jakobsen a doubt for QuickStep's Milan-San Remo squad

Team boss expects UAE and Jumbo-Visma to make next week's race too hard for sprinters

UAE Team Emirates at the head of the peloton

100km to go

Over halfway in the race now as we have 100km left to run.

The break are about to reach an unclassified climb with the day's intermediate sprint at the top.

Astana's Harold Tejada is out of the race after a crash.

No change in the situation up front as the nine riders continue to plough on. Just over five minutes back to the peloton.

Elia Viviani is out of the race.

87km to go

4:55 between break and peloton. The break is up to the intermediate sprint of the day.

Lluis Mas leads the break over the intermediate sprint point.

82km to go

The Spaniard led Honoré, Cosnefroy and Bais over the line.

Tim Wellens abandons.

A shot of the peloton. UAE and Jumbo-Visma right up front.

71km to go

Still 4:20 between break and peloton at the moment.

UAE Team Emirates, Jumbo-Visma and Bahrain Victorious among the squads represented at the front of the peloton.

64km to go

The gap to the peloton has dipped under four minutes as things speed up a little. Still some 25km to go until the start of the first ascent of Monte Carpegna.

3:30 now as the peloton keeps chipping away at the break's lead.

Click here to follow the last few kilometres at Paris-Nice up the Col de Turini

53km to go

Davide Bais gets a slow bike change and drops back from the break before rushing to get back to the group.

The race to the top of the Col de Turini has just finished. 

Check here for our report

47km to go

2:50 between peloton and break now. Bais is back with his breakmates after chasing back on.

The break are riding uphill now. They're not on Monte Carpegna, but instead riding to the base of the climb.

43km to go

Bais and Honoré off the back of the break. Haller struggling to stay in touch, too.

Konychev also gone.

Alaphilippe, Cosenfroy, Simmons, Mas, Aranburu remain up front.

The five men left sticking together as they edge towards the bottom of the climb. Five kilometres – all uphill – as they hit the real climb.

41km to go

Bais is back in the peloton now. UAE and Jumbo still lead the way.

38km to go

The break passes through the finish line in Carpegna. They are a kilometre from the start of the climb.

The peloton passes the finish line 1:40 down on the break.

Alaphilippe and Simmons in the break.

Haller back with the peloton and he immediately goes to work on the front.

Here's a reminder of the climb as the break hit the bottom.

Alaphilippe, Aranburu, Mas, Cosnefroy, Simmons still all together.

1:25 to the peloton now.

Simmons can take 15 points and virtually seal the KOM jersey at the top here. His big worry might be a long-range attack from the likes of Tadej Pogačar...

36km to go

Simmons at the read of the group but Cosnefroy drops first.

Mas is dropped after working hard for Aranburu.

He's sticking it out a few bike lengths behind, though.

Diego Rosa (Eolo-Kometa) attacks from the peloton, which is a minute down on the break now.

Rosa is on six KOM points to Simmons' 20.

The Italian passes through corner which has a giant poster of Marco Pantani draped on the side, his name daubed on the road, and various banners on the side of the road.

Tirreno-Adriatico: Pantani's Monte Carpegna climb to test Pogacar’s dominance

34km to go

Evenepoel is dropped from the peloton along with Tao Geoghegan Hart!

Simmons pushes on in the break. Aranburu follows. Alaphilippe struggles. 

50 seconds to the peloton.

UAE Team Emirates continue to work on the front of the peloton. Rafał Majka doing the work.

Simmons now pushing on again as Aranburu drops.

Pogačar comfortable in the peloton so far.

32km to go

45 seconds between Simmons and the peloton. Pogačar in second wheel with two teammates. 

Alaphilippe is back with the peloton now as he puts on a warm jacket.

Alaphilippe straight out the rear of the peloton. The group isn't rushing to catch Simmons here.

Evenepoel riding with Victor Lafay (Cofidis), Diego Rosa (Eolo-Kometa), and Cristian Rodriguez (TotalEnergies). He's 30 seconds down on the peloton.

31km to go

45 seconds between Simmons and the peloton. Another 45 to Evenepoel.

15 points for Simmons over the top.

Bahrain Victorious lead the peloton across with Pogačar in third wheel.

Alaphilippe is back with Evenepoel now.

Evenepoel's group only just across the top.

Too quick into a corner on the way down and Damiano Caruso at the front of the peloton runs a touch wide. All OK, though.

28km to go

Simmons 15 seconds up on the peloton. 1:30 back to Evenepoel.

24km to go

The peloton is just seven men now. Pogačar, Ciccone, Landa, Vingegaard, Bilbao, Caruso, Hindley are there. More chasing just behind, though.

Simmons almost caught.

Bilbao makes a move at the front as several riders bridge across to the GC group.

19km to go

Bilbao passes through the finish a few seconds up on the GC group.

Evenepoel 1:40 down now.

Simmons out of the lead group as he stops by the finish to put on some warm weather gear.

18km to go

Bilbao is brought back at the bottom of the climb. Marc Soler pushes the pace at the front of the group.

Around 13-15 riders at the front here.

Giulio Ciccone jumps to the front. Arensman is struggling at the back. Bilbao is dropped.

17km to go

Landa ups the pace. Pogačar behind him as the group splits.

Majka, Soler, Ciccone, Pinot drop.

Landa, Pogačar, Vingegaard, Mas at the front now.

Porte and Hindley chase.

Pinot works his way back to Porte and Hindley.

16km to go

Through the Pantani corner again and Porte is almost back with the leaders.

Pogačar attacks and nobody can follow, obviously.

Pogačar has flown away. It's over.

20 seconds already. 

Porte, Mas, Vingegaard, Landa chasing.

Now the time gap reads eight seconds, 12 seconds. He's ahead of the rest, at least...

15km to go

Still the four chasers behind him.

Now the time check says 36 seconds...

Landa has a dig. The chasers at 40 seconds down.

Caruso, Pinot, Hindley at 1:05.

Evenepoel three minutes down.

13km to go

Pinot, Hindley, Caruso closing in on the four chasers. 20 seconds between them.

Pogačar has a minute on the next group.

12km to go

1:25 back to the chasers now.

3:50 to Evenepoel.

Pogačar crosses the top of the climb, solo.

10km to go

He's heading down the descent now. Just a matter of keeping it upright.

15 seconds between the two chase groups.

Mas crashes!

Porte is off the back of the chase group. Mas is slowly wheeling along and looks like he's in some pain.

8km to go

Pogačar still pushing on. Over 1:30 to the chase group.

5km to go

Inside 5km now for Pogačar.

Landa and Vingegaard are around 1:15 back now according to the time checks.

Porte is 1:45 down.

Evenepoel 4:20 back.

3km to go

Just a ride back into town now. He's down the descent in one piece.

1km to go

Slight uphill run here. 1:10 back to Landa and Vingegaard.

Final several hundred metres for Pogačar now.

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) has taken a comprehensive victory in Carpegna.

Vingegaard takes second in the sprint ahead of Landa. They're 1:03 down.

Porte fourth at 1:34. Caruso, Hindley, and Pinot finish at 1:49.

Evenepoel is coming in now. 

4:01 for Evenpoel.

Mas, with cuts to him arm and thigh, is rolling in.

The top 10 on the stage...

1 Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 5:28:57
2 Jonas Vingegaard (Den) Jumbo-Visma 0:01:03
3 Mikel Landa Meana (Spa) Bahrain Victorious
4 Richie Porte (Aus) Ineos Grenadiers 0:01:34
5 Damiano Caruso (Ita) Bahrain Victorious 0:01:49
6 Jai Hindley (Aus) Bora-Hansgrohe
7 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
8 Giulio Ciccone (Ita) Trek-Segafredo 0:02:23
9 Pello Bilbao Lopez De Armentia (Spa) Bahrain Victorious
10 Thymen Arensman (Ned) Team DSM

And the new general classification...

1 Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 23:45:55
2 Jonas Vingegaard (Den) Jumbo-Visma 0:01:52
3 Mikel Landa Meana (Spa) Bahrain Victorious 0:02:33
4 Richie Porte (Aus) Ineos Grenadiers 0:02:44
5 Jai Hindley (Aus) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:03:05
6 Thymen Arensman (Ned) Team DSM 0:03:16
7 Damiano Caruso (Ita) Bahrain Victorious 0:03:20
8 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Groupama-FDJ 0:03:37
9 Pello Bilbao Lopez De Armentia (Spa) Bahrain Victorious 0:03:51
10 Giulio Ciccone (Ita) Trek-Segafredo 0:04:03

Today's winner crossing the line.

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

"First thank you to all the team again. Really amazing work and they bring me to the last climb, and I had good legs so yeah, we decided to go for it. Marc did a good pace at the start, there were some attacks, and I decided to go to my own pace at the top.

"I tried my best to get warm because it was super cold today. I'm super happy to take the win because the team was working so hard the last few days, so it's really hats off to them.

"When the guys are pulling all day into the headwind for 200 kilometres every day, to take the stage win on such an important day is a really good feeling.

"It's one more stage so we still need to keep calm and we'll see tomorrow. I hope that Pascal [Ackermann] recovers from these days hard work to do the sprint tomorrow but anyway we're going to be happy."

Pogačar leads the race overall as well as the points and young rider's classifications. Quinn Simmons holds the other jersey at the race, the green climber's jersey.

Second-placed Jonas Vingegaard said that there was no chance of matching Pogačar today. 

"I was already on the limit so I was just like 'ok, I let him...' I didn't even think about trying to go with him. He's just incredible today and so much better than everybody else.

"I'm pretty satisfied. The only bad thing, if you can say that, was my time trial. Other than that, I'm happy with my week here."

Here's our report on today's stage...

Pogacar takes control of Tirreno-Adriatico on Monte Carpegna

Slovenian solos to victory 16km out as Evenepoel loses minutes

A look at the lead group just before Pogačar went on the attack.

This photo was at the Pantani corner with banners and chalk on the road dedicated to the Italian climber. Pogačar jumped soon afterwards.

Pogačar back in blue on the podium this afternoon.

He's in the ciclamino points jersey, too.

...and the white young rider's jersey

Finally, Quinn Simmons retains the green KOM jersey

That's all for our live coverage of the action today. We'll be back with more on tomorrow's final stage, as well as at Paris-Nice.

Check back through the evening for more news from both races.