Van der Poel delivers Philipsen to the finish line at Tirreno-Adriatico

Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel showed strong sprinting prowess to deliver teammate Jasper Philipsen to the finish line on stage 3

"I wasn't scared, because I'm not going for a classification or anything," van der Poel told the media after the finish in Foligno. He was riding together with the Belgian when the race split inside the final kilometers, a move which proved very dangerous both for the stage and GC classification. "So that wouldn't be a drama, but I'm glad I was in that first echelon with Jasper and could still help him."

The peloton came back to the front however van der Poel's new role was put to the test. Ahead of many other stronger leadouts, Alpecin-Deceuninck managed to enter the final technical section to the finish at the front, and van der Poel himself led out Jasper Philipsen. As the 25-year old sprinted to victory van der Poel raised his arms in celebration from the distance.

"I am very happy. It just went wrong on Tuesday, but now everything went well. I am very happy with that, I hope it is the start of something good with more victories for our team," he concluded. Before going for his own chances van der Poel has contributed to Alpecin's first win of the season. There will still be two hilly days ahead in the race where he will have his own chances of succeeding.

VIDEO: 2023 Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 3 Highlights

2023 Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 3 Top 10

1  PHILIPSEN Jasper Alpecin-Deceuninck 5:19:08
2  BAUHAUS Phil Bahrain - Victorious 0:00
3  GIRMAY Biniam Intermarché - Circus - Wanty 0:00
4  MOSCHETTI Matteo Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team 0:00
5  CONSONNI Simone Cofidis 0:00
6  VAN AERT Wout Jumbo-Visma 0:00
7  THEUNS Edward Trek - Segafredo 0:00
8  GROENEWEGEN Dylan Team Jayco AlUla 0:00
9  JAKOBSEN Fabio Soudal - Quick Step 0:00
10  MEEUS Jordi BORA - hansgrohe 0:00

2023 Tirreno-Adriatico GC after Stage 3

1  GANNA Filippo INEOS Grenadiers 10:38:09
2  KÄMNA Lennard BORA - hansgrohe 0:28
3  SHEFFIELD Magnus INEOS Grenadiers 0:30
4  MCNULTY Brandon UAE Team Emirates 0:34
5  ARENSMAN Thymen INEOS Grenadiers 0:39
6  ALMEIDA João UAE Team Emirates 0:41
7  LEKNESSUND Andreas Team DSM ,,
8  PEDERSEN Casper Soudal - Quick Step 0:47
9  KELDERMAN Wilco Jumbo-Visma 0:48
10  LUTSENKO Alexey Astana Qazaqstan Team ,,