Tirreno-Adriatico 2014 Route stage 6: Bucchianico

Tirreno-Adriatico 2014 Route stage 6: Bucchianico - Porto Sant’Elpidio

Tirreno-Adriatico’s stage 6 is 189 kilometres long and goes from Bucchianico to Porto Sant'Elpidio. A local circuit awaits the riders. Also featured is the much feared Muro di Porto Sant'Elpidio, but the steepest part is skipped and being at over 40 kilometres from the finish line the Muro will have no effect on today's most likely outcome, an bunch sprint. (Slideshow route/profile)

Difficult to leave out a climb that has served the race so well, organisers have included the climb to Chieti in the first 10 kilometres of stage 6. It won’t be a deciding factor this year but always makes for great viewing.

Stage 6 stretches right along the Adriatic coast, meaning a flat and windy day in the saddle. Riders will have to be careful not to get caught out in crosswinds. Alejandro Varverde’s Tour was ruined in such conditions last year and we all know what the teams from Belgium and The Netherlands can do in these conditions – Omega Pharma-Quikstep provided further examples at the recent Tour of Qatar.

Upon arrival in Sant’Elpido the riders begin two laps of a 16.5 kilometre circuit. But first they face the climb of Sant’Elpidio a Mare which also featured in last year’s race – where riders had to go up three times. That stage will be remembered for its miserable weather with Peter Sagan claiming he won the race with the power in his arms. It’s also remembered as the only time Chris Froome was beaten in 2013 as he was dropped and Vincenzo Nibali went on to win the overall.

In 2013 the riders had to climb to the top, with the steepest parts, this year the climb is only 2,7 kilometres and they “miss” the 27% parts. The Muro is climbed with over 40 kilometres to the finish so it will have no effect on today’s most likely outcome, a bunch sprint.

The finish of this stage is expected around 16:10 CET.