Tirreno-Adriatico 2021 news - Mathieu van der Poel wins Stage 5 despite Tadej Pogacar charge

After the 205km ride from Castellalto to Castelfidardo, Tadej Pogacar leads Wout Van Aert by 1:15 and Spain's Mikel Landa by 3:00 with 2019 Tour de France winner Egan Bernal in fourth place, 3:30 off the pace. Monday's sixth stage is a 169km ride from Castelraimondo to Lido di Fermo.

Mathieu van der Poel won Stage 5 of Tirreno-Adriatico (Alpecin-Fenix), attacking solo for the final 60km, but finished just ahead of race leader Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) in what commentator Carlton Kirby called an "amazing" finish to the race.

The 26-year-old took it in a time of 4:48:17 and was cruising comfortably for the majority of it, but the Tour de France champion continued to close what was a three-minute gap to set up a tense final kilometre.

Van der Poel appeared to be tiring in the final five kilometres, but the line was in sight and he held on to seal his second stage victory, 10 seconds ahead of Pogacar. He passed the finish line on the floor in a heap of exhaustion.

Cycling

'Never considered leaving' - Pogacar dismisses 2028 retirement rumours

4 hours ago

However, for all the Slovenian's efforts he was unable to close down the Dutch rider having broken away from Marc Soler (WorldTeam Movistar) and Fabio Felline (Astana-Premier Tech).

‘You want drama?’ - Van der Poel attacks early, Julian Alaphilippe loses chain

Video credit: TNT Sports

Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) took third (+49') having failed to keep pace with Pogacar with 17km to go.

Cycling is back! Watch the biggest races from the 2021 season. Sign up here for 50% off, 100% non-stop thrills

STAGE RESULT/GC

Cycling

How Evenepoel plans to close gap to Pogacar in 2026

18/11/2025 at 20:25

Il Lombardia

Teenager Seixas wants to beat Pogacar... when superstar is 'at his best'

13/10/2025 at 22:21