From March 10-16, the 56th edition of the Tirreno-Adriatico will visit five regions of central Italy – Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Abruzzo and Le Marche – over the course of the seven-stage race.
The race’s first stage, a 156km opener that starts and finishes at the beach resort of Lido di Camaiore, will be well suited to the fast wheels of the peloton. A bunch finish is by no means guaranteed however, as the sprinters will need to first negotiate the climb of Monte Pitoro three times in total early on in the stage.
The next day will see the riders depart from Camaiore and finish in Chiusdino after 226km of riding. This long second stage takes place over undulating terrain. Stage 3 (189km), from Monticiano to Gualdo Tadino, begins with a series of ups and downs before a faster and flatter second half. Its finish is uphill however, although a bunch sprint shouldn’t be discounted as the gradient remains below 4% throughout.
A summit finish at Prati di Tivo awaits the riders on Saturday 13th, Stage 4. The stage will be brief at 148km in length, but intense with a number of climbs.
Sunday 14th will play host to the ‘Tappa dei Muri’ (‘The Stage of the Walls’), from Castellalto to Castelfidardo (205km). The first 100km of the stage follows wide and straight roads (mostly along the coast) to reach the town of Castelfidardo where, after first passing through the Selva della Battaglia, the riders will enter a 23km circuit that’s set to be repeated 4 times. The last kilometre takes place in Castelfidardo, entirely uphill.
Stage 6 is from Castelraimondo to Lido di Fermo (169km). It will be the last chance for the race’s sprinters to take a stage win before the final time trial in San Benedetto del Tronto. The 11.1km time trial – Stage 7 – follows an altered route compared to recent editions of the race.
Stefano Allocchio, RCS Sport Race Director, said “We have created a route that resembles that of last year’s edition, with stages adapted to fit the characteristics of each and every rider competing.
“We believe that this is a winning formula because it allows us to really showcase diverse and unique territories – from coastal locations to mountain passes and everything in between – to the world through a top-level sporting spectacle.
“My thanks go in particular to all of the organisations involved in the route’s planning that have worked hard to make sure that the Tirreno-Adriatico can go ahead in a safe and secure way during such a difficult period.”
Pro rider and former race winner, Vincenzo Nibali, said “The Tirreno-Adriatico is an unmissable event in the early stages of my racing calendar, it’s an important test of form that I don’t think I could do without.
“It’s a race where I have had a lot of joy, especially in 2012 and 2013, but it also always gives me a real boost for the rest of the season. I also like the unique setting in central Italy, an area I know well.
There’s Tuscany, where I found my form as a young rider, Le Marche, a spectacular region that I’ve grown to love in recent years, and let’s not forget the regions of Umbria, Abruzzo or Lazio. Even in a year like this, I am overjoyed to be riding the race.”
