Gaviria quick off the mark in Tirreno-Adriatico opener

Fernando Gaviria came within inches of claiming stage 1 of Tirreno-Adriatico (WT), narrowly missing out to the German Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe) in a thrilling sprint to the line.

Gaviria opened up the sprint early at 300m to go and looked to have the win sealed until Ackermann squeezed through a narrow gap to claim an impressive victory on the line.
As the riders approached the line in Lido di Camaiore, there was a mass crash that involved many riders, though none from UAE Team Emirates were involved.

Gaviria: “Today was a short but fast stage. The team controlled the race well and kept the gap to the breakaway at a good distance. In the end we knew it was going to be a very open and very fast finale with the sprint trains of the other teams. Ackermann came up on my inside with a lot of speed and there was nothing I could do. Well done to Pascal, I will try again for a win in the coming days.”

 
Tomorrow will see the race continue from Camaiore to Follonica (201km) which looks set for another bunch sprint where Gaviria will go in search of the team’s 23rd victory of the season.

 
Stage 1 results:

1.Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe) 2:57:55
2.Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) “
3.Magnus Cort Nielsen (EF) “

General classification after stage 1:

1.Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe) 2:57:45
2.Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) @4’’
3.Magnus Cort Nielsen (EF) @6’’