The article discusses how challenging weather conditions at this year's Tirreno-Adriatico led to the formation of echelons, a rare occurrence in Italian racing. Race leader Filippo Ganna emphasized his determination to win, actively driving the front echelon. As the race progressed, a second split occurred due to approaching rainstorms, resulting in a dramatic pursuit challenge. Riders such as Juan Ayuso expressed mixed feelings about the stressful yet exhilarating experience amidst the adverse weather, which significantly impacted their racing strategies and performances.
"It was a very stressful day but we made it through," Ayuso said before dashing to his warm team bus. "In one way I enjoyed it because I avoided the stress of the chase behind..."
"We wanted to win the stage, so we went for it," race leader Filippo Ganna of Ineos Grenadiers said after ensuring he was in both echelons and driving them along in search of a stage win.
Ganna was super strong, so much so that Ayuso even struggled to come through off his heel to do a turn. Echelons and cold rain are not the Spaniard's preferred conditions as he tries to win this year's Tirreno-Adriatico.
The first echelon formed with 80km to go on the high plain in the exposed Abruzzo Apennines when a group of 30 riders, including Ganna, forged ahead, leaving others scattered in the cross winds.
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