Tirreno-Adriatico 2023: Fabio Jakobsen wins thrilling Stage 2 sprint from Jasper Philipsen and Fernando Gaviria

Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal–Quick-Step) won Stage 2 of Tirreno-Adriatico in a thrilling sprint finish from Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin–Deceuninck) and Fernando Gaviria (Movistar).

The largely flat stage from Camaiore to Follonica was always going to end with a big bunch sprint and it proved to be the case as Jakobsen timed his run perfectly as he came off the wheel of Philipsen to pip him to the line.

Gaviria went very early and opened up a gap of around five bike lengths, but was reeled in just at the line.

“I knew I came with speed,” said Jakobsen. “Fernando went early, really early, but he was fast. I jumped with Philipsen.

“You never know for sure, we see a lot of photo finishes now because there are a lot of good sprinters. It was close.

“I had a very strong team. Everybody did a good job. The small climb, 10km from the finish line, I think we were in a good position.

“After that we stayed altogether on the front, they kept me in a winning position. I got put on the wheel of Philipsen and I had the speed in the legs.

“After last Tuesday’s crash in Le Samyn, I had a bit of pain. On the bike it’s ok, it’s just when I walk up and down the stairs it hurts a bit so I take the elevator!”

On winning for the 40th time in his career, Jakobsen added: “It’s a lot of victories. All of them are special. It’s a good feeling. I didn’t have the start like last year but the condition is there.

“The team always give their best. I do the same and we just have to wait for a chance. Today was again a chance and hopefully we can take some more.”

A five-rider breakaway went up the road and established a lead that got as big as just over four minutes.

The group consisted of Eolo-Kometa team-mates Davide Bais and Mirco Maestri, Corratec pair Stefano Gandin and Alessandro Iacchi and Roland Thalmann (Tudor).

With 90km to go Bais dropped back to the peloton and Gandin, who was first over the only categorised climb of the day, also drifted back into the bunch.

Slowly but surely the breakaway’s lead diminished and they were caught with 20km to go and the sprinters’ teams ramped up the pace.

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