Simon Yates cruises to victory in Stage 5 of Tirreno-Adriatico

Updated 11/09/2020 at 15:05 GMT

Simon Yates finished well clear of second-placed Geraint Thomas in Stage 5 of the Tirreno-Adriatico. The Brit, who rides for Mitchelton-Scott, now has the lead in the general classification and is hitting some fine form ahead of the Giro d'Italia.

Simon Yates of The United Kingdom and Team Mitchelton-Scott / during the 55th Tirreno-Adriatico 2020, Stage 4 a 194km stage from Terni to Cascia 645m / @TirrenAdriatico / on September 10, 2020 in Cascia, Italy

Image credit: Getty Images

Simon Yates recorded a comprehensive win in Stage 5 of the Tirreno-Adriatico, finishing well clear of his challengers in the summit finish at Sassotetto.

The 202km course from Norcia to Sassotetto featured a gruelling climb for the finish.

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Yates, finished a full 35 seconds clear of Ineos Grenadiers' Geraint Thomas, and has moved from seventh to first in the General Classification, with a sixteen--second cushion to boot.

Simon Yates storms to Stage 5 Tirreno-Adriatico victory in style

"A really good day, lots of good work from the team," he told Eurosport after the convincing win.

"I knew I had good legs from yesterday already so today was a good opportunity to take the jersey and to take some time because with the time trial on the last day I need a good buffer.

"It was already a fast pace, first by EF, then also from Astana. Rafal Majka attacked to start the show. I saw an opportunity and I really took it. I saw straight away that I had a gap, so I just thought, 'Yes!'"

Looking ahead to the final three stages, one of which is an individual time trial, Yates is now looking to defend his jersey from Rafal Majka (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Thomas, who sit 16 and 39 seconds behind him respectively.

"We have to defend - it's always difficult to defend the jersey. Then of course the time trial, not my strongest point but we'll see. But we'll enjoy this today and we'll go from there."