Tirreno-Adriatico 2017: The Route

The 2017 Tirreno-Adriatico is played out from March 8th to March 14th. The route of the seven-day stage race crosses central Italy from the Tyrrhenian coast to the Adriatic on a classic course. Two time trials, some hilly and sprint stages, and the Central Apennines for the Queen Stage to Monte Termenillo.

Just like last year, the Tirreno-Adriatico begins with a team time trial in Lido di Camaiore. The teams race a flat and fast course with just four corners. In 2016 BMC took the win, besting Etixx-QuickStep (now Quick-Step Floors) by 2 seconds.

Stage 2 is also similar to last year. The course travels from Camaiore to Pomarance and totals 228 kilometres. Three climbs along the route and a summit finish after a long-stretched closing climb. Albeit there is a 16% sector early on, the ramps are not too steep overall.

In stage 3 the Tirreno-Adriatico travels from Monterotondo Marittimo to Montalto di Castro. The last kilometre features a short climb, but in 2016 this didn’t stop Fernando Gaviria from outsprinting Caleb Ewan in a clash of youngsters.

The Queen Stage is played out on Saturday 11 March. The route features two intermediate climbs before the apotheosis on the flanks of Monte Terminillo. The 16.1 kilometres climb is averaging 7.3%, while the steepest ramps are 12%. In 2015 Nairo Quintana climbed to victory on these slopes. The Colombian attacked with 5 kilometres remaining and rode alone through a snowstorm to the win atop Monte Terminillo.

Stage 5 leads from Rieti to Fermo and passes through the mountainous region that was devastated by two earthquakes in 2016. At 209 kilometres, the demanding route is sure to bring compelling racing. The finale should be the perfect tonic to ignite the fireworks as it takes in a ramp of 22%, while the last 300 metres are marked by a 10% incline.

The 6th stage should be for the fast yet tough men (tricky hill with 8 kilometres to go), while the closing stage – a 10.1 kilometres individual time trial in San Benedetto del Tronto – is familiar from last years. On flat and straight roads Adriano Malori powered to the win in 2014 and Fabian Cancellara did so in 2015 and 2016.

Greg Van Avermaet seized the opportunity to take the 2016 Tirreno-Adriatico after the key mountain stage was cancelled due to snow. The reigning Olympic Champion bested Peter Sagan by 1 second.