Tirreno-Adriatico

(Image credit: Getty)

Where: Italy
When: 6-12 March 2023
Distance: 1,170.5km
Rank: UCI WorldTour

Now in its 58th year, Tirreno-Adriatico continues to be the hipster favourite of the early season stage races, running parallel with the more traditional Paris-Nice.

Coming after the gravel roads of Strade Bianche, the race is often used as something a bit different for the Classics men as they build for Milan-San Remo a week later. It also attracts some of the world's best GC riders, with two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar (UAE team Emirates) taking the golden trident trophy home with him for a second time in 2022.

The seven-day event, known as 'The Race of the Two Seas', starts at the coast of the Tyrrhenian sea and makes its way across Italy to the shores of the Adriatic sea. Along the way, the riders tackle sharp climbs and long mountains, as well as sprint finishes and a time trial.

The race started in 1966 with Dino Zandegù taking the win ahead of Vito Taccone and Rolf Maurer. The record for the most overall victories his held by Belgian star Roger De Vlaeminck, who has a total of six wins, claimed between 1972 to 1977.

Tirreno-Adriatico 2023 route

The 2023 edition of Tirreno-Adriatico will begin with an 11.5km individual time trial in Lido di Camaiore. Two flatter stages will then follow, providing opportunities for the sprinters to test their legs.

Stage four, held between Grecco and Tortoreto, will bring the first hilly test with more than 2,000m climbing over 218km. The final climb to Tortoreto offers an average gradient of 7%, the perfect springboard for a race-winning dig.

On stage five, things start to get really difficult. Though shorter than the previous day, the peloton will take on the gruelling 1,465m-high Sarnano-Sassotetto climb in the race's summit finish.

A second tough day follows in the Marche region, with an undulating course into Osimo. The race will then conclude with a round circuit in San Benedetto del Tronto, where a sprint finish is forecast.

Tirreno-Adriatico 2023 stages

Stage 1: Lido di Camaiore - Lido di Camaiore (11.5km ITT)
Stage 2: Camaiore - Follonica (209km)
Stage 3: Follonica - Foligno (216km)
Stage 4: Greccio - Tortoreto (218km)
Stage 5: Morro d'Oro - Sarnano-Sassotetto (168km)
Stage 6: Osimo Stazione - Osimo (194km)
Stage 7: San Benedetto del Tronto - San Benedetto del Tronto (154km)

Tirreno-Adriatico: Recent winners

2022: Tadej Pogačar (Slo), UAE Team Emirates
2021: Tadej Pogačar (Slo), UAE Team Emirates
2020: Simon Yates (GBr), Mitchelton-Scott
2019: Primož Roglič (Slo), Team Jumbo-Visma
2018: Michał Kwiatkowski (Pol), Team Sky
2017: Nairo Quintana (Col), Movistar Team
2016: Greg Van Avermaet (Bel), BMC Racing Team
2015: Nairo Quintana (Col), Movistar Team
2014: Alberto Contador (Esp), Tinkoff-Saxo
2013: Vincenzo Nibali (Ita), Astana Pro Team
2012: Vincenzo Nibali (Ita), Liquigas-Cannondale
2011: Cadel Evans (Aus), BMC Racing Team
2010: Stefano Garzelli (Ita), Acqua & Sapone
2009: Michele Scarponi (Ita), Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Gicattoli
2008: Fabian Cancellara (Sui), CSC ProTeam.

Key info: Route guide | Start list | How to watch