Tirreno-Adriatico 45 Edition - Preview
History, Parcours Preview of the 2010 "Race of the Two Seas" dedicated to Franco
Ballerini...
Corsa dei Due Mari - 'The Race of the Two Seas', more commonly known as
Tirreno-Adriatico, is a stage race that has been held since 1966, when it was
first won by Dino Zandegu of Italy. The race is traditionally held early on in
the racing season, and is used by many of the favourites for preparation of the
Classics to come in April, and for Milan-San Remo in particular.
The race is also known as The Race of the Two Seas for the simple fact that
the race follows a route between the Tyrrenian and Adriatic coasts of Italy. The
race has, in recent years, become ever more popular as an alternative
preparation than Paris-Nice, which often serves up unfavourable weather
conditions.
Tirreno-Adriatico
Stage 1: Livorno - Rosignano Solvay 148 km
Stage 2: Montecatini Terme - Montecatini Terme 165 km
Stage 3: San Miniato - Monsummano Terme 159 km
Stage 4: San Gemini - Chieti 243 km
Stage 5: Chieti - Colmurano 234 km
Stage 6: Montecosaro - Macerata 134 km
Stage 7: Civitanova Marche - San Benedetto 164 km
Total distance: 1.247 km
Race Website
From 2005 to 2007, the race was part of the UCI ProTour calendar, and
although it was reclassified in 2008 as a UCI Europe Tour event, when organiser
RCS withdrew all their events from the UCI's premier calendar, it became part of
the UCI World Ranking calendar the following year.
The race has been won by Italians, rather predictably, more than any other
nation - 21 times , including Francesco Moser, Maurizio Fondriest and Michele
Bartoli. However the most victories by a single rider goes to the legendary
Roger de Vlaeminck – the great Belgian won Tirreno-Adriatico an impressive 6
times in succession, between 1972 and 1977.
Last year`s winner was Michele Scarponi of Italy, who beat out the opposition
in 7 stages over 1,095 km in length.
Tirreno-Adriatico 2010- Route
The 2010 Tirreno-Adriatico begins on Thursday March 11th and finishes on
Wednesday March 17th. As it did last year, the race will start with three stages
in Tuscany. As usual with Tirreno-Adriatico, the race has something for the
sprinters and also for the Classics riders, who will be hoping to use the race
to ride into form for the big one day races soon to come.
Stage 1 Profile: Livorno - Rosignano Solvay 148 km
Stage 1: 10 March: Livorno-Rosignano Solvay, km 148 (departure give Via
Florence SS 1, arrival Via S. Allende). Livorno will host the first stage and
will see the riders head through the hilly region nearby towards the finish in
Rosignano Marittimo. A rolling stage, chalk it up for the sprinters or a sprint
of a selective group that takes enough time over the two bumps just after mid
race... the final two climbs should provide an opportunity for the the breakaway
specialists with the final summit 7 km from the finish.
Stage 2 Profile: Montecatini Terme - Montecatini
Terme 165 km
Stage 2: 11 March: Montecatini Terme-Montecatini Terme; both this
stage and Stage Three will pass through the old training grounds that Ballerini
used to ride on. The race begins after 60 kilometers with the climb of the 763
meter Goraiolo which should inspire attacks. The real test for any break will
come in the final 2 28 km circuits to the finish with two climbs each.
Stage 3 Profile: San Miniato - Monsummano Terme
159 km
Stage 3: 12 - 159 kilometers - a bumpy ride with a fast finish 4
climbs, but none that will provide the cover for a long break for the climbers.
A sure bet for those thinking a late attack on the final climb for victory - but
any escape will have a tough test ahead of them to avoid capture in the final 8
km with little to slow down a full charge by the bike calvalry led by the
sprinter teams.
Stage 4 Profile: San Gemini - Chieti 243 km
Stage 4: 13 March: A long day in the office for the riders, not your usual
Saturday morning ride; but will be great for preparation for the even longer
Milan-San Remo. No mercy, 3 categorized climbs and an uphill finish after 5.5
hours in the saddle... one for the classics hardmen with a carrot for the
climbers to attack in the final 40 kilometers. This and the following stages
should be the decisive stages in this years race.
Stage 5 Profile: Chieti - Colmurano 234 km
Stage 5: 14 March: Deja vu all over again - Again 3 categorized climbs this time
almost out of the gate the road reaches to the sky over the first 100 km to the
summit of the Forca di Presta. From there its a bumpy ride to the final 4
kilometer climb to the finish. A stage with real possibilities for non
stop action in the final half of the race.
Stage 6 Profile: Montecosaro - Macerata 134 km
Stage 6: 15 March: The hi9lliest stage of the race has a tailor made finish for
strong finishers like Paolo Bettini and Alejandro Valverde... alas neither
are/can race in in Italy so it should favor other riders who can muster the
final punch to the line to the finish in Macerata.
Stage 7: Civitanova Marche - San Benedetto 164 km
Stage 7: 16 March: Sprinters stage to the tifosi lined 8 finish circuits in
Benedeto Del Tronto... a fitting finish for the 45th Tirreneo - Adriatico wih
one final battle for the sprinters to fight for the line honors.
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