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From the 6th to the 12th of March Tirreno-Adriatico will be on the road. Simultaneous to Paris-Nice, the Italian stage race sees the riders in central Italy for a whole week of hard racing.
Long stages are the ideal preparation for the spring classics, but the race also sees some of the best climbers, sprinters and time-trialists who are all looking for very high-level wins, in what is a highlight of the early-season.
The seven stages see an opportunity for the time-trialists right on the opening day, three stages that should see the sprinters grab the victories, two where the puncheurs, classics riders and climbers can succeed, and a day for the pure climbers. All combined, it's a rough week of racing with the overall classification always being disputed by some of the best stage-racers in the world.
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Stage 1 (ITT): Lido di Camaiore - Lido di Camaiore, 11.5 kilometers
The opening day of racing sees an individual time-trial in Lido di Camaiore. It is 11.5 kilometers in length, is pan-flat and will see the early gaps being created in the race, aswell as providing a big opportunity for the specialists. It will be a pure out-and-back course. A race for the purists, with an impressive total of 1 meter of elevation according to the profile provider.
Stage 2: Camaiore - Follonica, 209 kilometers
With 209 kilometers on the menu, stage two will see a finale in Follonica which should suit the sprinters. It's a long day on the saddle with 209 kilometers which starts with a small ascent. It's not a pan-flat day by any chance, the fast men will have their work cut out if they want to take part in the likely bunch sprint.
The riders will go up 100 meters in altitude on one occasion in the final circuit which will be ridden twice. It's not a serious climb but has 1.3 kilometers at 6%. Sitting just under 10 kilometers to go some teams may try and take advantage of this hilltop to put the pure fast men under pressure. If not, all is to play for with all the riders on board for the sprint.
One that has nothing technical to mention. In terms of safety that is good however, the finishing straight is virtually four kilometers long and on a map there is nothing noteworthy in it, no roudabouts, no corners, no sketchy features, the ideal terrain for strong leadouts to thrive.
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Stage 3: Follonica - Foligno, 216 kilometers
A hilly day at Tirreno-Adriatico, it should be one for the sprinters. The path to Foligno isn't easy however, with several ascents in the opening part of the day and 216 kilometers on the menu. It's a good test of form for Milano-Sanremo, with three decently sized ascents in the first half of the day.
The roads will then be rolling into Foligno. It's far from an easy day for the bunch with the 2500 meters of climbing set to leave their mark on several riders. The approach to the line then however will be all that matters in the outcome of the stage.
Unlike stage 2, this sprint will be very technical. An urban sprint, the final 2.5 kilometers features several corners. The most crucial section just before 1 kilometer to go with a long and very tight corners following in quick succession. A chicane follows with 750 meters to go and the riders will gently turn right until the 250 to go mark, which is already time for the sprinters to launch their big for the line. High speeds and adrenaline are expected.
Stage 4: Greccio - Tortoreto, 219 kilometers
Stage 4 will be a perfect one for the puncheurs preparing for the Ardennes classics and possibly Milano-Sanremo. The climbers could have their day depending on how it's raced. It starts out relatively gentle, at higher altitude and with some rolling roads but nothing out of the ordinary. Everything is to be decided on the final circuit.
The ascent to Tortoreto will be raced three times in quick succession and it has 3.2 kilometers at 7%, an interesting challenge. Before the three final laps the riders climb to the finishing line over a steeper and more inconsistent vertent, however the stage will be decided in the climb below.
It's not a consistent climb. It isn't too inconsistent but it features many turns and a few hairpins which make it just a bit harder than the gradients should suggest. A reduced group sprint is quite likely but late attacks could succeed.
Tortoreto; 3.2Km; 6.8%
Stage 5: Morro d'Oro - Sarnano-Sassotetto, 168 kilometers
The fifth stage of the race is the queen stage. It is short in comparison to the previous ones, and it features climbing throughout the whole day, albeit without any meaningful difficulty all of them, except the final one. Almost 4000 meters of climbing, it is a difficult one, where the riders just have to settle in and take on the small climbs all throughout around 150 kilometers. It will be a grind into the final ascent.
The climb to Sarnano-Sassotetto is 13.1 kilometers long at 7.3%. It's not the first time it's used in the race, and after such a difficult day it would not be a surprise to see very large gaps created. It's not a very consistent ascent, with gradients over 9% throughout several kilometers.
Attacks will come in the middle of it. It's a climb where the GC can very well be played out, and the pure climbers have the opportunity to create damage. There is a time-trial and two hilly stages in the Italian event, this is the one day where everything is to be controlled and a constant long effort will decide the winner.
Sarnano Sassoretto: 13.1Km; 7.3%
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Stage 6: Osimo Stazione - Osimo, 194 kilometers
Stage six sees a format that has become quite frequent at Tirreno-Adriatico. It is a stage where everything can be turnt on it's head, it doesn't feature any large mountain, but in the very steep and repeated ascents around Osimo the race can explode and put many under pressure. 3500 meters of climbing without a single long ascent. This is a brutal day by anyone's standards, and the overall classification can very well be turned on ti's head.
The second half of the day features a three-lap circuit around the Marche, and the city of Osimo. This features four ascents, the final three of which are in the last 13 kilometers. 2.1Km at 5.7% with 13 kilometers to go warm it up, and an absolute wall follows. 1.4Km at 12.9% with the last meters in non-paved roads that go up to almost 20%. It is not hard to imagine the race implodes before the final lap. However if it comes to that, the spectacular images should also provide for a heated GC battle that will be decided in the streets of Osimo.
The stage ends in the town center in tight streets. The steep pitch ends with only 4.7 kilometers to go. A shor descent follows and then another uphill drag to the line, which could be explosive but at this point should be about survival for the stage contenders. 1.6Km at 5.9% in total, however flat on it's base and end, and featuring ramps up to 11%. A worthy finale for what is set to be an epic stage.
Stage 7: San Benedetto del Tronto - San Benedetto del Tronto, 154 kilometers
The final day of interesting will be fast and furious. San Benedetto del Tronto will once again host the finale of the race and the final half of the stage is pan-flat, with a circuit that is ideal for the sprinters. However, the first half of the stage is very hilly with several hilltops where a strong breakaway can go up the road, and many riders will be looking for a last-minute charge.
4.7Km at 5%, 2.6Km at 8.6%, 1.4Km at 5.6%, 3.4Km at 6.3% and 8.5Km at 4.5%. This terrain is all packed into the initial 64 kilometers of a 154-kilometer day, followed by a medium-sized descent. Then the riders reach the sea and it's pan-flat roads.
The finale into San Benedetto del Tronto is the same as in 2022, with no gradients and high speeds expected. There is an S turn with just over 800 meters to go which will stretch things out, but a bunch sprint is likely at the end of the day and the race.
Schedule expected for start and finish of all stages, CET time.
Stage 1: 12:50 - 16:00CET.
Stage 2: 10:45 - 16:00CET.
Stage 3: 10:30 - 16:00CET.
Stage 4: 10:20 - 16:00CET.
Stage 5: 11:25 - 16:00CET.
Stage 6: 11:30 - 16:30CET.
Stage 7: 12:15 - 16:30CET.
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