Ben Healy goes on the attack at sodden Tirreno Adriatico | Video

Ben Healy has gone on the attack on the first climb of Tirreno Adriatico, showing his early season form and determination to make an impression

Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) has gone on the attack on the first climb of Tirreno Adriatico, with the Irish rider pouncing from the remains of the peloton several times as the road kicked up.

And Healy was again to the fore just before the finish line in Colfiorito, seeking to get in front on the downhill run to the chequered flag after the heavens had opened on the riders.

Though Healy's aggression on the long, though modest, climb towards the finish managed to shake things up, and briefly pulled a group of eight, they were soon caught.

Healy initially took it up with about 9km to go, pressing on hard for about 1km. What was left of the bunch was strung out in one line and 2nd placed Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) made a concerted move to close down Healy's attack.

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Once Healy was caught, his team mate Richard Carapaz joined the attacks off the front, with that flurry of activity dragging a select group clear that contained both the Irishman and Carapaz.

Ultimately, however, the climb - with gradients of just three per cent - was too modest to force a split. Race leader, Filippo Ganna, and his Ineos Grenadiers team mates were attentive at the front in keeping it all together.

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In the end, it came down to a sprint from a large bunch, with Andrea Vendrame (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) winning from Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling) and Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ).

Healy and Eddie Dunbar (Team Jayco AlUla) both finished in the bunch, and moved up in the general classification as some riders lost contact on the final climb today.

Ganna still leads the race overall, with Dunbar now up to 7th, still at 44 seconds, while Healy is now up to 9th overall at 48 seconds. We'll bring news of Sam Bennett (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) when we have it.

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