The spectacle never fails at the Race of the Two Seas and the fourth stage, the Tagliacozzo-Martinsicuro covering 213 km, did not disappoint. Impressive speed, long climbs in the early part, steep finishes at the end, continuous attacks, significant selection with 14 riders - with many big names, Tiberi, Buitrago and Sheffield left behind - who battled it out for stage victory.

Another masterpiece from Mathieu Van der Poel who was quickest to read Filippo Ganna's intentions and launched an extremely long sprint, created a gap and then managed to resist the desperate chase of his rivals. Splendid second place for Giulio Pellizzari and third for Norwegian Johannessen.

Thanks to the 6 seconds of time bonus gained at the finish, Giulio Pellizzari is the new leader of the general classification, after dethroning his friend Isaac Del Toro.

THE RACE. An eventful stage entirely in Abruzzo territory between the province of L'Aquila and that of Teramo. The race started from Tagliacozzo and reached Martinsicuro after 213 km, a nervous day full of ups and downs. The final climb was the Tortoreto Alto ascent, finishing 12 km from the finish line, with gradients reaching 20%.

The race day was characterized by an attack from 12 athletes: Tibor del Grosso (Alpecin Premier Tech), Jakub Otruba (Caja Rural Seguros RGA), Remy Rochas (Groupama FDJ United), Liam Slock (Lotto Intermarchè), Ivan Garcia Cortina (Movistar Team), Dries De Bondt (Team Jayco Alula), Mattia Gaffuri (Team Picnic PostNL), Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti Visit Malta), Larry Warbasse (Team Tudor), Timo Kielich (Visma Lease a Bike), Laurenz Rex (Soudal Quick Step), Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno x Mobility). The group, always guided by Isaac del Toro's UAE Team Emirates XRG, kept the situation under control, never allowing the breakaway riders to gain more than 3'20" advantage.

The stage exploded near the intermediate sprint at Mosciano Sant'Angelo approximately 40 km from the finish. Jakub Otruba remained alone at the front, but it was in the main group that the real battle began. Thanks to the great work of Team NSN Cycling, the breakaway's advantage collapsed. On the Tortoreto climb, Team Visma Lease a Bike went into action, with Matteo Jorgenson working hard for his teammate Wout Van Aert, making an incredible selection. During the climb, Isaac del Toro himself tried to attack, but Mathieu Van der Poel immediately managed to shut him down. The Tortoreto climb caused considerable damage as it also eliminated several classified riders such as Magnus Sheffield, Santiago Buitrago and Antonio Tiberi.

On the seafront at Martinsicuro we witnessed an exciting sprint among the 14 riders in the lead group. Filippo Ganna tried to make the difference, but Van der Poel launched an extremely long sprint and claimed his second victory in this edition of Tirreno-Adriatico.

Tomorrow the Race of the Two Seas will restart from Marotta-Mondolfo for a stage that could overturn the general classification. It will be a continuous up and down for all 184 kilometers leading to Mombaroccio. In the finale there is a 21.6 km circuit to be repeated twice with the climb of the Sanctuary of Beato Santo and the finish line is placed on a final steep section.

to read the live coverage of the entire stage CLICK HERE

STAGE RESULTS

1  van der Poel Mathieu Alpecin-Premier Tech 04:51:40

2  Pellizzari Giulio Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 00

3  Johannessen Tobias Halland Uno-X Mobility + 00

4  Champoussin Clément XDS Astana Team + 00

5  van Aert Wout Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 00

6  Healy Ben EF Education-EasyPost + 00

7  Vendrame Andrea Team Jayco-AlUla + 00

8  Pinarello Alessandro NSN Cycling Team + 00

9  Ganna Filippo INEOS Grenadiers + 00

10 del Toro Isaac UAE Team Emirates-XRG + 00

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1  Pellizzari Giulio Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe 15:27:00

2  del Toro Isaac UAE Team Emirates-XRG + 02

3  Roglic Primoz Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 21

4  Jorgenson Matteo Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 34

5  Healy Ben EF Education-EasyPost + 39

6  Vendrame Andrea Team Jayco-AlUla + 42

7  Sheffield Magnus INEOS Grenadiers + 42

8  Ciccone Giulio Lidl-Trek + 44

9  Hatherly Alan Team Jayco-AlUla + 46

10 Tiberi Antonio Bahrain Victorious + 49