Stage 1 of the Tirreno-Adriatico sets off in Lido di Camaiore and serves a route that’s almost the same as last year’s opener. Back then, Pascal Ackermann sprinted to victory and a sprint finish is to be expected again.
The 2nd stage travels on a lumpy route to a 26.6 kilometres circuit around Chiusdino. The ascent into the village is 7 kilometres long and goes up at approximately 4%.
The third day serves a similar route, although the second part is less hilly. Stage 3‘s finale is an uphill section of 13 kilometres, false flat at first and then rising at 4%.
The Queen Stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico traverses three intermediate climbs before a summit finish in ski station Prati di Tivo. The final climb is 14.6 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 7%.
Stage 5 is this year’s ‘Tappa dei Muri’ – or, ‘Stage of the Walls’ -, which is an apt description. The race finishes on a 23.5 kilometres circuit, that’s repeated four times and features a series of steep ascents, including the final drag to the line.
Stage 6 is not entirely flat, but still, a bunch sprint is the most likely outcome, while the 7th stage is a pan-flat ITT along the Adriatic Coast.
Simon Yates is title defender. The Briton won last year’s Queen Stage to Sassotetto ahead of Geraint Thomas and Rafal Majka, which turned out the be the final ranking as well.
Tirreno-Adriatico 2021: route, profiles, more
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