Future Israel cycling team rider Woods takes lead in Tirreno-Adriatico

Powering up a climb so steep that bystanders gave riders helping pushes, Canadian racer Michael Woods has won Stage 3 of the Tirreno-Adriatico on Wednesday and taken the overall lead.

Woods, who will race alongside four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome next season on the Israel Start-Up Nation team, was unbeatable on the final ascent up the Muro di Poggio Murella climb that preceded the uphill finish at Saturnia.

“Amazing work by my team, they really pulled a lot for me,” Woods says. “Great teamwork and I finished it. Teamwork makes the dreams work.”

Woods, who currently races for EF Pro Cycling, left behind rivals including 2018 Tour champion Geraint Thomas on the 20 percent gradient and summited alone. Polish rider Rafal Majka managed to catch Woods on the twisty downhill on the other side. But on the rolling uphill that then followed to the finish, Woods outsprinted Majka to the line.

The 217-kilometer (135-mile) stage started in Follonica.

— AP

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