Heavily tipped as the favourite for victory at the Tirreno-Adriatico stage 7 summit finish, Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) fully lived up to his billing with a hugely impressive solo victory that also put him into the race leader's blue jersey going into the final stage.
Set up by his Mexican teammate Isaac Del Toro, Ayuso made three attacks, but was chased down each time by Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling), Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step). When he made his fourth thrust, though, the 22-year-old Spaniard forged a gap and finished 13 second clear of Pidcock and Hindley.
