Van der Poel imposes his rule on the gravel and takes stage 2 of the Tirreno-Adriatico

The second stage of the 2026 Tirreno-Adriatico provided the first major spectacle of the race. In a 206-kilometer route between Camaiore and San Gimignano, marked by rain and a decisive gravel sector in the final stretch, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) confirmed his role as the favorite with a high-level victory after winning a reduced sprint against Isaac Del Toro and Giulio Pellizzari.

Mathieu van der Poel conquers San Gimignano after an explosive finish on gravel in the 2026 Tirreno-Adriatico

The day had a deceptive profile with more than 120 kilometers relatively calm before the race heated up with several climbs and a 5.3-kilometer gravel sector that clearly reminded one of the Strade Bianche. From the very beginning, a breakaway formed with Manuele Tarozzi, Joan Bou, Diego Pablo Sevilla, and Alessandro Iacchi, who managed to gain several minutes of margin, but the peloton always kept the situation under control.

INEOS Grenadiers, with leader Filippo Ganna in their ranks, took on much of the chase work while the main group prepared for the decisive stretch. As they approached the gravel sector, the break was neutralized, and with the onset of rain, the tension in the peloton increased significantly.

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The stage was decided in the final kilometers. As soon as the gravel section began, Van der Poel launched a powerful attack that definitively broke the race apart. The Dutchman opened a gap on a complicated and slippery terrain where falls and several moments of tension also occurred.

Jorgenson is down, and so is Thymen Arensman a bit later 

Even Mathieu is slipping on these roads, but he's in the lead with Pellizzari and Isaac del Toro

Follow #TirrenoAdriatico @CA_Ita on Rai () and on Eurosport () pic.twitter.com/fRsG1IKFnf

— Tirreno Adriatico (@TirrenAdriatico) March 10, 2026

Among the most notable incidents was the fall of Thymen Arensman, who lost any chance in the general classification. Meanwhile, the chasing group tried to reorganize, with Wout van Aert collaborating in the chase, although failing to close the gap definitively.

A few kilometers from the finish, Isaac Del Toro and Giulio Pellizzari managed to catch up with Van der Poel, forming a leading trio that would contest the victory in the narrow cobbled streets of San Gimignano.

In the final sprint, Van der Poel used his power to surpass his two breakaway companions and raise his arms after nearly five hours of racing. The Dutchman confirmed that gravel terrain and explosive finishes remain one of his great domains.

The stage also left several signals for the general classification, on a day when the favorites had to primarily avoid significant losses on such unpredictable terrain.

Stage 2 Results – Tirreno-Adriatico 2026

1. Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) — 4:53:23
2. Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) — +00
3. Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull – Bora – hansgrohe) — +00
4. Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) — +0:15
5. Andrea Vendrame (Jayco AlUla) — +0:17
6. Alessandro Pinarello (NSN Cycling Team) — +0:17
7. Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) — +0:17
8. Andreas Kron (Uno-X Mobility) — +0:17
9. Clément Champoussin (XDS Astana Team) — +0:17
10. Paul Lapeira (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) — +0:17