'I like gravel, it's more like a game' - Isaac del Toro and Giulio Pellizzari emerge on Tirreno-Adriatico gravel to distance GC rivals

Isaac del Torro, Guilio Pellizzari and Mathieu van der Poel on stage 2 at Tirreno-Adriatico.

Mathieu van der Poel went deep to beat Giulio Pellizzari and Isaac del Toro on the gravel and in the sprint in San Gimignano, but the two young GC riders, who are rivals but close friends, gained precious seconds on the other GC contenders, setting up another duel in their young careers at Tirreno-Adriatico.

The two 22-year-olds have been battling in stage races for several years and finished first and second at the 2023 Tour de L'Avenir. Now they are super team leaders at Tirreno-Adriatico and joined forces on stage 2 to chase down van der Poel and gain time on the gravel.