2014 Tour of Turkey champion Adam Yates has put in a phenomenal ride to finish seventh on the queen stage of Tirreno-Adriatico and move into sixth overall. Yates traded punches with some of the biggest names in cycling on the decisive climb on stage five, finishing in a small group 55seconds behind solo winner Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team).

The performance moves the 22-year-old into sixth place overall, one minute and four seconds behind Quintana, who moved into the race lead with today’s victory.

“It was going to be a big test as the first long climb of the season,” sport director Matt White said to the Orica website. “For Adam to finish in the group that he did, amongst the world’s best climbers, is a very good indication that his winter preparation has gone exactly how we wanted it to.”

“I was not surprised today. I was surprised last year with some of the rides he did and second year around it’s not a great surprise he is at that level again. We have a lot of races to come this year and it’s an exciting prospect for us to take in when he can match these types of riders at a young age.”

With snow forecast for the top of the final climb, the queen stage of Tirreno-Adriatico was always going to be an interesting one. Not to mention a somewhat uncomfortable one for riders. Eight riders made the bold move off the front as the day’s breakaway, a brave move as the talent-packed field prepared for a general classification showdown.

After 75km and the first two classified climbs, the break of eight lead by seven minutes. Team Sky lead the chase in defense of the yellow jersey but as the lead group entered the final climb they held onto over three minutes advantage.

As the breakaway splintered up the final test, Quintana attacked from a small surviving chase group leaving them to a game of cat and mouse in pursuit. As the snow fell, the battles behind continued as riders continued to trade blows. 

Eventually, Bauke Mollema (Treak Factory Racing) escaped to finish second and whilst Yates finished amongst a group of six with the likes of Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), Joaquim Rodriguez (Team Katusha) and Rigoberto Uran (Etixx-Quick Step).