Our stage-by-stage preview of the 45th edition of the Tirreno-Adriatico which takes place between March 10-16.
Stage-by-stage preview of the 45th edition
The 45th edition of the aptly-nicknamed "Corsa dei Due Mari" or "Race of the Two Seas" begins on the Ligurian coast at Livorno and sweeps across Italy to its destination in the Adriatic resort of San Benedetto del Tronto. Like last year, the opening three stages will be held in Tuscany before moving east into Umbria and on to the traditional finish in Marche.
This seven-day, 1,247km jaunt is regarded as a slightly flatter and more sprint-friendly alternative to Paris-Nice and provides ideal preparation for the Milan-San Remo classic on March 20.
Seven of the eight Team Sky riders that took part in the Strade Bianche Eroica will be on hand once again, with Kurt-Asle Arvesen making a welcome return from a broken collarbone in place of Davide Viganò.
Here is our take on the race's seven stages:
Wednesday 10 March: Stage 1 - Livorno to Rosignano Solvay - 148km
After the grand depart in Livorno the riders take on a 38km clockwise loop to the east of the city before continuing south along the picturesque Ligurian coastline all the way down to Vada (67.1km). After cutting inland they then head north for the first two contested climbs of the tour at Rosignano Marittimo (146m at 76.5km) and Nibbiaia (271m at 95km). With those done and dusted the peloton heads back onto the coast at Cioma (104.3km) and follows the original route south again for another go at the Rosignano Marittimo (129.9km). Once they make it over that for a second time it's downhill all the way into Rosignano Solvay for a likely sprint finish.
TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport 2 between 1400-1530 with highlights at 1615-1745 & 2200-2300 on Eurosport and 1800-1900 on Eurosport 2. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk
Thursday 11 March: Stage 2: Montecatini Terme to Montecatini Terme - 165km
It's flat as a pancake for the first 45km as the route heads west out of Montecatini Terme before turning south at Alberghi.di Pescia and continuing in an anti-clockwise loop right back to where they started. After exiting the town for a second time the riders continue west again but now fork up to Pescia (62.3km) in preparation for the first major climb of the tour at Goraiolo (763m at 83.2km). Once they have descended into Vico (94.7km) the bunch must then do four laps of a 14.7km clockwise circuit before another likely bunch sprint in Montecatini Terme.
TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport 2 between 1430-1530 with highlights at 1615-1700 & 2010-2110 on Eurosport. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk
Friday 12 March: Stage 3: San Miniato to Monsummano Terme - 159km
The neighbouring town of San Miniato sees the riders off on day three and they do an 11.7km lap of the centre before heading west to Ponticelli (32.3km). The route then cuts north east and ramps up after Vinci (57km) all the way to San Baronto (68.3km). The riders pass through the destination town of Monsummano Terme (83.7km) and into Montecatini Terme (87.2km) for the second time in as many days before continuing in a circular route south of Pescia (96.4km). When they make it back into Monsummano Terme (125km) they head onto another loop - this time east - which includes two quickfire classified climbs at I Papi (283m at 131.3km) and San Baronto (340m at 143.5km). The road then flattens out all the way back into the finish.
TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport 2 between 1400-1530 with highlights at 1800-1900 on British Eurosport 2 & 2200-2300 on Eurosport. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk
Saturday 13 March: Stage 4: San Gemini to Chieti - 243km
After an overnight transfer into the Umbria, the riders roll out of San Gemini in a south-easterly direction. They are in for a tough old slog and the road ramps up for the first of three classified climbs at Sella di Corno (990m at 86.2km). Once they've tackled that tricky ascent it's onwards into L'Aquila (106km) where there are some sprint points up for grabs before the road drops down steadily into Scafa (170.5km). The second big climb of the day is looming at Pretoro (725m at 201.2km) and the road then turns north towards the day's destination. After 240km in the saddle the peloton will then be forced up one final climb at Innesto via Madonna degli Angeli (309m) before taking on the final 3km into Chieti.
TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport 2 between 1400-1530 with highlights at 1845-1930 & 2215-2300 on Eurosport 2. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk
Sunday 14 March: Stage 5: Chieti to Colmurano - 234km
The riders continue from where they left off on Saturday and head towards Pescara (11km) before following the coast road all the way up to Salino (56.6km). Once they make it there they cut inland and the mountain specialists will be looking to come to the fore as they prepare for the biggest climb of the tour at Forca di Presta. Over 12.5km this beast rises to 1535m - and things are at their toughest in the final 3km where there is a punishing average gradient of 8.5%. To make things worse, there is little in the way of respite as two further summits at Frontignano (1,208m at 164.2km) and Le Arette (1,113m at 178.1km) follow in quick succession. With those monsters in the bag the route continues to undulate all the way into another uphill finish at Colmurano.
TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport 2 between 1430-1530 with highlights at 1645-1715 & 2200-2300 on Eurosport and 2200-2300 on Eurosport 2. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk
Monday 15 March: Stage 6: Montecosaro to Macerata - 134km
After that brutal fourth stage, things calm down considerably for the penultimate day in the saddle and there will be little to trouble the riders as they exit Montecoasro. The muscles should be well stretched by the time they make it to the first sprint of the day at Treia (46km) and from there it's gently downhill all the way into Helvia Recina (58.6km) for the start of a 22.9km circuit. Mountains points are on offer on their first ascent into Macerata (298m at 76.6km) and once they make it back into Helvia Recina they then do another two laps of a slightly shorter route (19.1km) which also passes up into the destination town. The day culminates with one fourth and final climb up onto the finish line in Macerata.
TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1400-1530 with highlights at 1800-1900 & 2200-2245 on Eurosport 2 and 1945-2045 on Eurosport. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk
Tuesday 16 March: Stage 7: Civitanova Marche to San Benedetto del Tronto - 164km
The final stage of the tour begins in the coastal resort of Civitanova Marche and heads south to Porto Sant'Elpidio before turning inland towards San Filippo (26.5km). There are two remaining classified climbs to tackle at Monte Giberto (308m at 36.8km) and Cossignano (358m at 57.2km) before the route heads back onto the coast at Grottammare (80.2km). The race culminates with seven laps of a pan-flat 10km coastal circuit before what should be an blistering finale in San Benedetto del Tronto.
TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1400-1530 with highlights at 1915-2000 on Eurosport 2 and 0000-0045 on Eurosport. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk
