Lucas Hamilton takes first WT win in Tirreno-Adriatico: I take my opportunities when I can
Sep 11 2020 03:32 am CET
Photo of Mitchelton-Scott jersey (c) Jonathan Roorda / CyclingPub.com
Mitchelton-Scott's Lucas Hamilton has taken the victory in the fourth stage of Tirreno-Adriatico and Michael Woods (EF Pro Cycling) has kept the lead of the General Classification.
The peloton faced a 194-kilometre-long route that featured two hors-category climbs, on the fourth day of competition. The breakaway was formed with 60 kilometres into the stage by eleven riders, and they got a three-minutes gap with the pack.
During the final climb of the day all the escapees were caught by the favourites group and there were attacks by GC candidates, including Simon Yates, who forced Woods and Ineos' Geraint Thomas to go after him. On the descent, the GC and other riders joined Yates and soon after Hamilton made a move and was followed by Deceuninck-Quick-Step's Fausto Masnada.
At the end, the Australian had the best legs for the slight uphill finish and claimed his first WorldTour victory. "I just hung on over that final climb and I was in that second group when Yates attacked ahead," explained the Australian. "When we got back on, I saw my own opportunity and with the speed and momentum we had I was able to get away. I was very lucky to have Masnada there with me because I don't think I could have done that myself and we worked well together.
"Simon is still our overall leader, so this win is a bit of a bonus but for me it is nice to step up. I take my opportunities when I can and I am lucky to have a leader like Simon that also lets his teammates have opportunities. On paper Masnada is probably faster than me so I was a bit worried about that and tried to make him do the last 500metres or so and that worked in my favour in the end."
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