Defending champion Tadej Pogacar (UAE) and his competitors know what to expect in Tirreno-Adriatico (March 7-13) as of today. Without the traditional final time trial and with a new date, the Italian stage race breaks with some traditions.
- New date: Normally Tirreno-Adriatico starts 3 days after Paris-Nice. But this year the Italian stage race falls earlier on the calendar (7-13 March). The spectacle starts in Italy the day after Paris-Nice.
For the first time, the Tirreno therefore ends on a Sunday and not during the week. As a result, there is a gap of 5 full days between the end of the Tirreno and Milan-Sanremo. Milan-Turin, which has been an autumn classic in recent years, falls into that gap.
- Tougher course: The riders will get no less than 14,000 vertical meters this year, a record for the Tirreno. The toughest mission is on the penultimate day: in the queen stage, the riders have to cross Monte Carpegna twice.
- No traditional final time trial: The curtain on the Tirreno normally falls in the short time trial to San Benedetto del Trento. But this year, on the final day, the organization opts for a ride in line tailored to the sprinters.
- A look at all stages: The Tirreno opens with a time trial of 13.9 km. The sprinters get 2 chances: in the 3rd and 7th stage.
The punchers also get their money’s worth twice: in the 4th and the 5th stage. The 2nd stage is for the hill runners, the 6th stage is the queen stage.
- Main participants (for now): Julian Alaphilippe, Tiesj Benoot, Victor Campenaerts, Damiano Caruso, Sonny Colbrelli, Arnaud Démare, Remco Evenepoel, Caleb Ewan, Jakob Fuglsang, Wilco Kelderman, Vincenzo Nibali, Tadej Pogacar, Richie Porte, Jonas Vingegaard and Elia Viviani.
