This page contains the stage podium, the race story, GC implications after the stage, and per-rider performance. Read no further if you intend to watch this stage unspoiled.
Mathieu van der Poel doubled up with a second stage win — a reduced-group sprint after the day's Apennine climbing thinned the bunch. Pellizzari, Johannessen, Champoussin and Wout van Aert filled the top five same-time.
213 km, ~2,700 m of elevation, two long Apennine climbs (Ovindoli, Valico delle Capannelle) trimming the bunch. Reduced-group sprint into Martinsicuro; Van der Poel won, Van Aert's fifth was his strongest pre-Classics-spring result.
GC unchanged on time, bonuses tightened around the leader. Pellizzari now a clear secondary threat.
Fifth in the reduced-group sprint — solid sharpness check before the cobbled Classics block. Visma's Tirreno team built around him; the run to Roubaix would prove him in form.
Second stage win, second reduced-group sprint after a climbing-and-positioning selection.