Matteo Montaguti (Ag2r) surprised the favourites in yesterday's GP Camaiore when he was the only rider who could follow Diego Ulissi's blistering attack on the final climb of Monte Pitoro. In the end, the Italian came away with 2nd and he has now set his sights on a stage win Tirreno-Adriatico.

When Diego Ulissi launched his expected attack the final time up Monte Pitoro in yesterday's GP Camiore, few would have expected the only rider to follow him to be Matteo Montaguti. The Italian is mostly known as an escape artist and a loyal domestique for Rinaldo Nocentini but now he played his cards with the best climbers in the finale of a big race.

The duo bridged across to Julian Arredondo and a little later Simon Clarke also joined them. The quartet managed to stay clear to the finish where a frustrated Montaguti had to settle for 2nd.

Despite his initial disappointment, Montaguti could take a bright look at things and he is now hopeful that his good form will allow him to shine in the Tirreno-Adriatico.

"I’m happy with this 2nd place even if the victory would have been a better result for me and for the team," he said. "This is a great race and certainly the most difficult to win among the three races we took part in with the Trofeo Laigueglia and the Gran Premio di Lugano. I finished 2nd behind the best Italian rider at the moment and it’s a good performance!

"I’m in a better shape than last week and I feel better and better for every race. I hope to be still in a better shape in the Roma Maxima and Tirreno-Adriatico. I'm improving my strength and I’m pretty confident for the next competitions.

"I like difficult races and in Tirreno-Adriatico the 4th stage would suit me. This is the hardest stage and many leaders would like to win there. But we never know, everything is possible and if I manage to be in the breakaway I will be able to carry out a good performance."

In Tirreno, Montaguti will be joined by leaders Domenico Pozzovivo and Jean-Christophe Peraud.