San Benedetto del Tronto – Sam Welsford (Ineos Grenadiers) navigated a chaotic final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico on Sunday, securing second place behind Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) after a relentless chase sparked by Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and a late crash marred the sprint finale. The Australian sprinter’s performance underscored his resilience in a race defined by aggressive tactics and unpredictable conditions, marking his fourth WorldTour stage podium of the season.
The 143km stage 7 featured early climbs that initially splintered the peloton, but it was Van der Poel’s sustained attack beginning around the 97km mark that truly tested the sprinters’ resolve. His extended effort, widely interpreted as a training block ahead of next week’s Milan-San Remo, forced a grueling chase and disrupted the typical sprint setup. Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) ultimately sealed the overall victory at Tirreno-Adriatico, finishing 40 seconds ahead of Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike) in the general classification, as reported by Domestique Cycling.
Welsford described the challenging race conditions, stating, “This was crazy. The climb was so hard,” and noting the speed at which the field attempted to drop the sprinters. He added, “I felt really good on the climb. I had all the guys around me pulling and every time I looked down I was doing over 500 watts and I was just like What we have is just incredible. We weren’t catching them either.” Despite the difficulty, Welsford credited his team for their support, saying, “But the boys did a fantastic job on the climb for me. They paced me, looked after me and then in the circuit we had to chase pretty hard to catch the split and I think Van der Poel was pulling that by himself.”
The chase group, containing many of the sprinters, reconnected with the front of the race around 67km to go, but the challenges continued. A late attack by Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) in the final seven kilometers was neutralized by a strong effort from Welsford’s teammate, Filippo Ganna. However, a crash with 2.6km remaining, involving Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step), further complicated the sprint lead-out. Cycling Up To Date reported on the chaotic finish.
Navigating a Dangerous Sprint
Welsford managed to avoid the crash, but acknowledged the inherent risks of a high-speed sprint. “It’s always going to happen when you have got four guys dive bombing for the same metre of road,” he said. “It was really close to me and thankfully I’m all right but hopefully all the guys who went down are ok cause you don’t wish to see that on the last day of the race.” The sprint itself saw Jonathan Milan claim victory, beating Welsford and Laurenz Rex (Soudal Quick-Step) in a close finish. IDL Pro Cycling confirmed the final podium positions.
Despite missing the top step, Welsford remained optimistic. “I felt really good today,” he said. “The boys did really well for me so a bit disappointed with second, you know you always want to be on the top step but good signs of things coming.” This second-place finish represents Welsford’s fourth WorldTour stage podium of the 2026 season, demonstrating consistent form as the season progresses.
Milan’s victory marked his third consecutive win on the final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, showcasing his dominance in the bunch sprint. He struck out from distance, guided by Edward Theuns, and held off Welsford and Rex to secure the win.
Looking Ahead to Milan-San Remo
The aggressive tactics displayed by Mathieu van der Poel throughout the stage were widely seen as preparation for the upcoming Milan-San Remo race. His extended attack served as a high-intensity training effort, testing his legs and gauging the form of his rivals. Van der Poel’s presence undoubtedly disrupted the sprinters’ plans and added an element of unpredictability to the race.
With Tirreno-Adriatico concluded, the focus now shifts to Milan-San Remo, a monument classic known for its challenging course and prestigious history. Welsford and his Ineos Grenadiers team will undoubtedly analyze the lessons learned from this race as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. The team will look to build on Welsford’s strong performance and contend for victory in the upcoming classic.
What are your thoughts on Van der Poel’s training strategy during Tirreno-Adriatico? Share your opinions in the comments below.
