Britain’s Simon Yates returns to defend his Tirreno-Adriatico title as the ‘Race of the Two Seas’ gets underway on Wednesday, March 10. Photo: A.S.O./Alex Broadway
Britain’s Simon Yates returns to defend his Tirreno-Adriatico title as the ‘Race of the Two Seas’ gets underway on Wednesday, March 10.
This year’s field is a stellar one and includes the last three Tour de France winners.
Champions in Paris Geraint Thomas (2018), Egan Bernal (2019) and Tadej Pogacar (2020) will battle alongside Yates, winner of the last edition which took pace in September 2020 during last year’s delayed Tour de France.
Starting from Lido di Camaiore in Tuscany, the race will finish seven days later on Tuesday, March 16 at San Benedetto del Tronto on the Adriatic coast.
The route features three stages dedicated to sprinters, two for the last minute-attack specialists, an individual time-trial and one uphill finish in Prati di Tivo, which could prove decisive.
Two-time Giro d’Italia winner Vincenzo Nibali also returns looking to add to his wins at his home race eight years after his last success.
The field also includes Nairo Quintana, winner of the 2014 Giro d’Italia and the Tirreno-Adriatico in 2015 and 2017.
Dutch star Mathieu van der Poel, who impressed with his burst of power to win the Strade Bianche last weekend, will also take part as will Belgian Wout van Aert who makes his debut in the race.
Reigning world road champion Julian Alaphilippe of France will also start after finishing second in Strade Bianche.
Three-time world road race champion Peter Sagan will also make his belated 2021 debut.
Sprinters confirmed to start include Australian Caleb Ewan, Colombian Fernando Gaviria and Italians Davide Ballerini and Elia Viviani.
The race could well be decided on Saturday’s final climb over 14.5km to Prati di Tivo.
Time-trial world champion Filippo Ganna will be the overwhelming favourite for the final stage, a 10.1km individual time-trial around San Benedetto del Tronto.
Tirreno-Adriatico stages:
Wednesday, March 10: Stage one: Lido di Camaiore – Lido di Camaiore – 156km
Thursday, March 11: Stage two: Camaiore-Chiusdino – 202km
Friday, March 12: Stage three: Monticiano – Gualdo Tadino – 219km
Saturday, March 13: Stage four: Terni – Prati di Tivo – 148km
Sunday, March 14: Stage five: Castellalto – Castelfidardo – 205km
Monday, March 15: Stage six: Castelraimondo – Lido di Fermo – 169km
Tuesday, March 16: Stage seven: Individual time-trial at San Benedetto del Tronto – 10.1km
