Paul Magnier is back at the start of the Italian seven-day race.
Tirreno-Adriatico returns to its roots this year, meaning there will be no summit finishes at the 61st edition, but instead several hilly stages that are sure to test the riders on their way to glory. Crossing five regions, “The Race of the Two Seas” features a varied route presenting opportunities to different types of riders.
A perfectly flat 11.5km individual time trial in Lido di Camaiore – which gets to host a finish for the 12th time – opens the week before the riders take on one of the most complicated stages of this edition. Several hills, double-digit gradients and a 5.3km gravel sector on the roads to the stunning medieval town of San Gimignano are sure to reshuffle the general classification. The next couple of days bring more climbs, including some in the Apennines, as well as an uphill finish in Camerino, before the only chance the sprinters will get, on the very last day, in San Benedetto del Tronto.
Paul Magnier, who took a pair of stage wins at the Volta ao Algarve last month, returns at the start of the “Race of the Two Seas” with the aim of fighting for a victory. Ayco Bastiaens, British ITT Champion Ethan Hayter, Samyn Classic runner-up Laurenz Rex, Dries Van Gestel, Ilan Van Wilder and Trofeo Laigueglia KOM winner Louis Vervaeke are also set to compete in the first Italian World Tour stage race of the season.
“As you can see, we have a strong and versatile team for Tirreno-Adriatico, a race that we love and where our riders should get opportunities to be in the spotlight. The course is a bit different from what we had last year, but we go there with a lot of confidence after our latest results and the motivation that we can do something nice and leave our mark on the race”, explained sports director Davide Bramati.
Photo credit: ©Antonio Baixauli / Getty Images
