
Article By:
CyclingNews
2026-04-18 15:25:56
O Gran Camiño: Adam Yates seals overall victory as Pinarello wins atop Monte Trega
Summary By: eMotoX
Adam Yates of UAE Team Emirates-XRG secured the overall victory at O Gran Camiño by finishing third on the final stage, which concluded with a challenging ascent of the Alto Monte Santa Trega. Despite missing out on a second stage win, Yates maintained his 34-second lead from the previous day to clinch the general classification. The stage was won by Alessandro Pinarello of NSN, who led a select group to the finish, while Jørgen Nordhagen of Visma-Lease a Bike took second place both on the stage and in the overall standings.
The final stage featured a demanding route with two ascents of the Alto da Valga and a summit finish on the 3.6km climb of Monte Santa Trega. Early breakaways were gradually reeled in as the peloton intensified the pace, particularly on the climbs. Key attacks came from riders such as George Bennett and Jan Castellon, but none could shake the leading group. Yates controlled the race well, even without team support in the closing kilometres, and managed to respond effectively to the decisive moves on the final climb.
Yates described the final climb as tough, particularly due to strong coastal winds and a cobbled section near the summit, which he criticised for its difficulty and suggested could be replaced with a smoother tarmac route in future editions. Pinarello celebrated his first professional victory, highlighting his tactical approach on the cobbles and expressing optimism ahead of his upcoming races, including Liège and the Giro d’Italia. The event marked Yates’ first stage race win since the Tour of Oman in February, signalling a strong start to his 2026 season.
The race demonstrated a competitive field and strategic racing, with Yates’ consistent pacing and tactical nous proving decisive. The inclusion of cobbles on the final climb added a unique challenge, sparking discussion about course design in future editions. With O Gran Camiño growing in prominence, riders and teams will likely view it as an important early-season test, particularly ahead of Grand Tours such as the Giro d’Italia.
