Yates first Briton to win Tirreno-Adriatico
Mitchelton-Scott's Simon Yates became to the first Briton to win the Tirreno-Adriatico.
ROME (AFP) - Mitchelton-Scott s Simon Yates became to the first Briton to win the Tirreno-Adriatico after finishing 18th in Monday s final time trial stage.
Former Vuelta a Espana champion Yates, 28, ended the eight-day "Race of the Two Seas" 17 seconds ahead of 2018 Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas in second and 29 seconds ahead of Poland s Rafal Majka.
Yates originally took the overall leader s blue jersey of the 55-year-old race after clinching Friday s 202km fifth stage in Sarnano, central Italy.
He is expected to feature at the Giro d Italia which begins on October 3 and said he was worried ahead of the final day of racing.
"I tried to do my best, I was nervous before because of the situation. I tried to finish off the work for the team. They ve been fantastic all week and today it was up to me. Really happy I could pull it off," Yates said.
"We still have some weeks away before we start and until the end it s still a long time away. I hope to hold my form all the way," he added.
Local rider Filippo Ganna edged Belgium s Victor Campenaerts by 18 seconds in the 10.05km circuit against the clock in San Benedetto del Tronto on the Adriatic coast.
