Tirreno-Adriatico stage 5: American star matches Del Toro on searing climb to set up big GC battle this weekend.
Jorgenson climbed into third overall and will square off this weekend for the win. (Photo: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
Updated March 13, 2026 10:11AM
Matteo Jorgenson climbed up the GC Friday at Tirreno-Adriatico after a brutal stage 5 showdown that saw Isaac del Toro reclaim the race lead.
Jorgenson finished third in the explosive finale after he was the only rider to match Del Toro’s decisive acceleration on the climb to Santuario Beato Sante, nudging the American into third overall with time bonuses.
Hot off eighth at Strade Bianche, the result confirms a strategic shift for the American in his 2026 spring campaign.
Rather than defend back-to-back titles at Paris-Nice, the Visma-Lease a Bike rider pivoted to Tirreno-Adriatico and the upcoming Ardennes-style classics.
On a savage day across the rolling hills of the Marche region, the gamble paid immediate dividends and sets up a final GC battle against Del Toro going into the weekend.
Del Toro back into the lead
Wednesday’s 184km stage from Marotta-Mondolfo to Mombaroccio delivered a slashing 4,275 meters of climbing and detonated on the final ascent to Santuario Beato Sante.
UAE Emirates-XRG pushed the pace to isolate overnight leader Giulio Pellizzari, who began the day just two seconds ahead of Del Toro in the general classification.
Del Toro struck midway up the climb with a violent acceleration that immediately split the favorites.
Jorgenson responded to Del Toro’s attacks on the final 4.2km climb averaging 6.2 percent ahead of a high-speed descent and a stinging uphill ramp to the finish.
Magnus Sheffield struggled to hold the pace as the group splintered, but Jorgenson dug deep to stay glued to Del Toro’s wheel as the contenders thinned.
Primož Roglič, racing alongside his Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe teammate, offered little help in the chase as the gaps opened.
Del Toro kicked to second to reclaim the race lead, while Jorgenson crossed the line third to move up, still 11 seconds behind Pellizzari.
A thrilling GC super team duel between UAE, Red Bull, and Visma-Lease a Bike will play out on Saturday’s grueling stage.
Valgren snags big win
Up the road, Michael Valgren powered to an emotional solo victory after dropping Julian Alaphilippe from a late breakaway.
The Dane crested the summit alone and held off the charging favorites to claim his first victory since 2021.
“We all worked so hard for this. I am just speechless,” Valgren said. “It was a hard start with so many attacks. In the end, I had amazing legs and the luck.”
Valgren’s win caps a remarkable comeback after a career-threatening crash in 2022 that left him with a fractured pelvis, a dislocated hip, and torn ligaments.
He even dropped to the Continental level during his recovery before clawing back to the WorldTour, sealing his return to the top just days after the birth of his new baby.