Andrea Vendrame (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) clinched victory at the grueling third stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico 2025 cycling race on March 12, 2025, conquering the challenging route from Follonica to Colfiorito. The stage, which spanned 239 kilometers and featured rough weather conditions, showcased Vendrame's exceptional stamina and strategy as he surged to the front during the final sprint.
The win marked the third consecutive triumph for Italian cyclists, following victories for Filippo Ganna and Jonathan Milan in the previous stages. Vendrame clocked an impressive time of 6 hours, 28 minutes, and 25 seconds, averaging nearly 37 kilometers per hour, securing his place among the elite of this prestigious race.
Following Vendrame on the podium were Thomas Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) and Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ), who finished second and third, respectively, both crossing the line without any time gaps to Vendrame. But it was Vendrame’s tactical acuity and the ability to accelerate at just the right moment during the final kilometers of the race, overshadowed by tough conditions, which made all the difference.
Throughout the stage, racers faced relentless rainfall and dropping temperatures, reported to be around seven degrees Celsius at certain points. With visibility compromised and the roads slick, the race was both physically and mentally demanding. Vendrame was clear about the toll these conditions can take. "It’s been a very tough stage due to the weather conditions. I was monitoring the GC guys and knew I had good condition to try in the end, and victory came," said Vendrame shortly after the race.
Despite the turbulent weather impacting strategies, Filippo Ganna, riding for Ineos Grenadiers, maintained the overall lead after the third stage, finishing alongside Vendrame without losing time. Ganna holds the blue jersey, firmly at the forefront of the general classification with a total time of 11:25:55. Following him are Juan Ayuso from UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Antonio Tiberi of Bahrain Victorious, trailing by 22 seconds and 29 seconds respectively.
The competition continues to tighten as Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) remains fourth, only 34 seconds behind, and Mattia Cattaneo sits fifth at 36 seconds back. The tension within the peloton will undoubtedly heat up as riders gear up for the next stage.
Tragedy hit the event as Jonathan Milan, who had won the second stage, suffered a crash during the race. Fortunately, he was not seriously injured and has heralded intentions of continuing to battle for future stages.
The third stage was not only notable for Vendrame's victory but also for the persistence shown by riders through difficult circumstances. Lorenzo Conforti (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) won the first King of the Mountains sprint, adding to the drama of the day.
Days remain for racers to navigate this challenging Tirreno-Adriatico course, making each subsequent stage even more pivotal as they battle not only their rivals but the elements as well. Next, competitors will have to manage their fatigue and strategic deployments as they prepare for what's next on this challenging Italian tour.
With the flat roads behind them, riders can expect more climbs as the event progresses, making the race to claim the coveted blue jersey even more ferocious. Vendrame's tenacity and strategy will continue to be closely watched as he navigates future stages, his performance this week cementing his place as one of the race's key competitors.