Three in a row for Milan in San Benedetto del Tronto
Jonathan Milan hit bullseye for the third year in a row in San Benedetto del Tronto with a characteristically powerful sprint finish to secure the final stage win of Tirreno Adriatico.
The Italian sprinter made sure he did not miss the mark on Stage 7 of ‘The Race of the Two Seas’ after the peloton came back together in time for a fast and furious final showdown at the Italian WorldTour stage race.
Milan and his Lidl-Trek teammates were made to work for the bunch sprint finish with pressure being applied on the Ripatransone climb by Alpecin Premier Tech, an effort that looked like it was aimed at dropping the majority of sprinters in the race while simultaneously closing in on the early breakaway.
However, despite initially splitting the bunch, a determined chase saw everything brought back together on the San Benedetto del Tronto circuit.
From then on the expected bunch sprint looked inevitable but that didn’t stop Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno X Mobility) trying to cause upset by going solo at 7km to go before being reeled in inside the final kilometre.
Milan was guided perfectly into position by Edward Theuns, with the duo coming late to the front of the field – only in the final 400 metres – before the 25-year-old finished off the job to secure his third consecutive victory in San Benedetto del Tronto, his fifth career win at Tirreno Adriatico and his sixth of the season, making him, for now, the most successful rider of the year together with Remco Evenepoel.
In Jonny’s Words…
I have to say, it's [feelings in this moment] painful and happiness at the same time. It was a really tough week, and a tough day. I really suffered a lot on the climbs and today was absolutely not easy. I have to say thanks, after everything, to my teammates for this week. I was a bit upset with myself after the third stage with and my teammates, they always supported me in the race and also after, I would say.
SAN BENEDETTO DEL TRONTO, ITALY - MARCH 15: Jonathan Milan of Italy and Team Lidl - Trek celebrates at finish line as stage winner ahead of Laurenz Rex of Belgium and Team Soudal Quick-Step and Sam Welsford of Australia and Team INEOS Grenadiers during the 61st Tirreno-Adriatico 2026, Stage 7 a 142km stage from Civitanova Marche to San Benedetto del Tronto / #UCIWT / on March 15, 2026 in San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
The last days were pretty tough in the gruppetto and they always pushed for me, they always gave everything and today we were missing Simon and Max, but they did a big effort in the last days and today, Eddie delivered me really perfect and I'm really happy and proud with how we finished this Tirreno
