Mathieu Van der Poel won the fourth stage of Tirreno-Adriatico on Thursday while Giulio Pellizzari moved into the overall race lead.

The Dutch rider powered to victory in Martinsicuro on Italy's Adriatic coast, claiming his second stage win in three days with a strong burst of speed in the final few hundred meters.

The 31-year-old prevailed after an eventful 213km stage which was decided on the short but punchy climb to Tortoreto shortly before the finish.

The peloton split on the climb under pressure from Isaac Del Toro and Wout van Aert, creating a small group of contenders at the front of the race.

A dozen riders including Pellizzari and Del Toro broke clear with around 15km remaining, ensuring the stage victory would be contested among the race favorites.

Giulio Pellizzari Moves Into Tirreno-Adriatico Race Lead

Van der Poel proved his form is already sharp ahead of the first Monument of the season, Milano-Sanremo, which takes place in just over a week.

The reigning champion opened his road season at the end of February with victory at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and has now collected three wins in just five days of racing in 2026.

Pellizzari took the overall lead of the race and now holds a two-second advantage over Del Toro heading into Friday's fifth stage.

The 184km stage from Marotta-Mondolfo to Mombaroccio will be the first of two demanding mountain stages expected to decide the general classification before Sunday's final stage.