The Dutch cyclist overtook Matteo Fabbro of Italy just 300 metres from the line, finishing the 181 kilometre route from Pieve Torina to Loreto in 4hrs 19mins 23secs. 

Fabbro took third place after he was also passed by Portugal's Ruben Guerreiro. 

All three had been part of a breakaway group of 14 riders, which Fabbro had escaped in the closing kilometres of the race.

"It was an incredibly hard stage, we went full gas from the start," van der Poel said.

"I had not planned to go in the breakaway but after an hour of racing, I saw some very strong riders attack and I followed them. 

"I am very happy about this victory because I was not feeling great at the beginning of the week, then my legs got better and better."

Simon Yates finished in the peloton to maintain his overall lead for the third consecutive day.

Rafal Majka of Poland is still 16 seconds off the leader, with Britain's Geraint Thomas 39 seconds off the pace. 

Competition concludes tomorrow with a 10.1km individual time trial along the seafront at San Benedetto Del Tronto.

"Now I know that I’ll have 16 and 39 seconds over Majka and Thomas for tomorrow’s final individual time trial," Yates said.

"I would have preferred a bigger gap because they are both very good against the clock and in good form. 

"Whatever happens tomorrow, it will be a close finish, the race is not over yet.

"I’ll do my best to win this Tirreno-Adriatico."