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Tirreno-Adriatico
Preview |
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Tirreno-Adriatico continues with
its traditional route of the past few years starting with a
TTT and finishing with an ITT. In between there is a mix of
stages with three suited to the sprinters and two for the
climbers. Most of the big Grand Tour contenders are riding
after Paris-Nice selected an easier course without a summit
finish.
Stage Overview
Stage 1
The race starts as it has for the past three years with a flat
team time trial. At 18.5km it is relatively short but should
still open some significant gaps on the GC. Last year the time
trial was held in terrible conditions with World Champions
Omega Pharma-QuickStep taking the win. The previous year
Orica-GreenEDGE took the victory. Coincidently these two teams
have been the dominant forces in team time trials the past two
years.
Names to watch:
Omega Pharma-QuickStep - Defended their World title by less
than one second over Orica-GreenEDGE after losing the TTT in
the Tour by the same amount. Lead by World Champion Tony
Martin along with Michal Kwiatkowski and TTT experts Mark
Cavendish and Mark Renshaw.
Orica-GreenEDGE - Took one of their biggest victories winning
the Tour de France TTT last year by less than 1" and finished
2nd at Worlds by the same margin. Bring their A team TT
experts including Luke Durbridge, Michael Hepburn, Daryl
Impey, Cam Meyer, Jens Mouris and Svein Tuft.
Movistar - Not a name you always think of as TTT experts but
have steadily improved over recent years. Finished second last
year just 11" behind Omega Pharma-QuickStep. A strong team
backed by TT riders Jonathan Castroviejo, Alex Dowsett and
Adriano Malori.
Team Sky - Another team with strength in the TTT. Finished 3rd
at the Tour de France TTT last year over a similar distance
just 3" back and finished on the podium at the World
Championships. With names like Dario Cataldo, Peter Kennaugh,
Richie Porte, Ian Stannard and Bradley Wiggins will be a team
to watch.
BMC - Not the force they once were in the TTT. Finished 4th at
the World Championships but were over one minute behind the
top teams. A strong performance will be crucial to Evans'
overall chances.
Astana and Tinkoff-Saxo should also put in strong riders.
Stage 2
The first road stage is all set for a bunch sprint. Three
categorised climbs in the opening half of the stage but with
over 60km of flat roads heading in to the finish a bunch
sprint is almost certain.
Stage 3
Another day that is likely to end in a sprint. Again there is
climbing in the first half but the second half is mostly flat.
The final kilometre is uphill including a section with 900m to
go that kicks up to 11% with the average gradient of the final
kilometre 5% making it hard for the pure sprinters.
Stage 4
After two days for the sprinters stage 4 presents the first
opportunities for the climbers to come to the front. At 244km
it is also the longest of the race. The first 120km are mostly
flat but from here the road mostly goes up. The first climb of
the day if the Forca Di Cerro (9.6km at 4.6% 9% max) starting
at 142km. After a quick 13km descent what is left of the
peloton will face the Forca Capistrello (16km at 4.7% 12% max)
at 165km. There is three periods of respite over the climb
where the road levels off and even descends for 2km with 4km
remaining. After a brief descent the next 20km are undulating
before another brief descent before the start of the
Cittareale Slvatotonda climb to the finish. The 14km climb has
an average of 5.3% with a maximum of 10%. The climb gradually
rises all the way to the finish with the first 5km 4.2% the
next 5.6% before it starts to kick up in the final 4km to an
average of 6.4% with the final 2km at 10%
Stage 5
Another day for the climbers and the road starts to climb
almost immediately for about 10km putting the sprinters under
pressure from the fun. The next 130km feature a lot of rolling
roads with a number of smaller uncategorised climbs. At the
150km mark riders face the 13km Passo Lanciano. Starts off at
around 6% for the first two kilometre before a section in 2km
at 13%, from here the rest of the climb averages 8-9% other
than a 500m section in the middle at 3.9% After a long descent
riders race the steep Muro di Guardiagrele (800m at 25%
average with a 30% maximum). The climb tops out with just
under 1km remaining and then with 250km the road kicks back up
for a Final run in t the finish in Guardiagrele at 12%
Stage 6
After two hard finishes for the climbers the sprinter friendly
roads return today. The road starts to climb almost from km 0
for the short climb to Cheieti and other than another small
uncategorised climb at 27km mark the first 122km are flat.
Riders face another uncategorised climb at 122.6km before the
Sant'Elpidio a Mare at 147.9km that tops out at 148km. From
here the remaining 40km to the finish are mostly flat setting
the scene for a bunch sprint.
Stage 7
The race finishes with the ~9km flat out and back time trial
around San Benedetto del Tronto. At 9.1km it is not the
longest time trial but is one final opportunity for riders to
gain back some lost time. Tony Martin won last year six
seconds ahead of Adriano Malori while the year before it was
Fabian Cancellara. The flat out and back nature makes it one
for the specialists.
Names to watch:
Tony Martin - Won the World Championships for the third time
in a row last year and was only beaten once in a time trial
last year. Of the two time trials so far this year at Dubai
and Algarve has finished 4th and 3rd respectively. Expect
Martin to bounce back to prove he is still the best in the
world.
Michael Hepburn - Took a surprise but not unexpected victory
at the National Championships in January beating Luke
Durbridge despite the inclusion of a climb. Confirmed his
switch to the road was the right decision by adding another TT
victory at the Tour of Oman.
Svein Tuft - The eight time National Champion has had an
outstanding two years with Orica-GreenEDGE and after a
disappointing Tour of Qatar expect to see him bounce back. Was
4th in 2012.
Luke Durbridge - The multiple Australian Champion missed out
on a 3rd Australian Championship in a row and then a
mechanical took him out of contention at the Oceania
Championships at the end of last month. Without an ITT win in
nearly a year expect to see him bounce back with a strong
performance.
Adriano Malori - After years of being near to the mark in time
trials Malori win the stage 5 ITT at the Tour de San Luis
ahead of Taylor Phinney. Finished 7th in the Dubai Tour and
then 2nd in the time trial at the Volta Algrave. Narrowly
missed out on the win last year 6" behind Martin.
Bradley Wiggins - The Olympic Champion had a hard year but had
a strong finish to the year taking the time trials at the Tour
de Pologne and Tour of Britain and a Silver medal at the World
Championship. Took 6th in the 7km prologue at Vuelta a
Andalucia.
Fabian Cancellara - Took the win in 2012 but has spent less
time focused on time trials the past two years. Finished 5th
in the time trial at Dubai Tour and 4th at the Tour of Oman.
Shows he is on good form taking 6th at Strade Bianche.
Jesse Sergent - An excellent time trial rider especially over
these distances. Took 13th at the Tour of Qatar and 6th in the
Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen last week.
Michal Kwiatkowski - 5 victories already this year including
the 13.6km time trial at Volta ao Algarve where he beat names
including Malori, Martin and Dowsett.
Tobias Ludvigsson - Top 10 in 6 short time trials/prologues
last year. Won the 10.7km time trial at Etoile de Bessèges at
the start of February and backed up with 6th at Tour
Méditerranéen.
Tom Dumoulin - 11th last year and took three other top 10
finishes in short time trials last year. 2nd in the opening
7.3km prologue at Vuelta a Andalucia
Alex Dowsett - Took a breakthrough win in the stage 8 54km
time trial at the Giro last year as well as defending his
national title. 5th at the Volta ao Algarve TT.
Martin Elmiger - 3rd in the time trial at Post Danmark Rundt
and 4th at Tour of Britain in the closing stages of last year.
Started 2014 strongly with 6th at Tour of Qatar time trial.
Other names to watch: Daniele Bennati, Cameron Meyer, Daryl
Impey, Jens Mouris, Andriy Grivko, Cadel Evans, David Millar,
Andrew Talansky, Andrey Amador, Wout Poels, Jonathan
Castroviejo and Ian Stannard.
The Contenders
General Classification
Richie Porte
Has had one of his best starts to the season yet. Took 3rd in
the National Championships, a stage and 4th over at the Tour
Down Under and then 2nd overall at the Vuelta a Andalucia.
Comes out of the Vuelta a Andalucia with great form where only
the flying Valverde could beat him. The race will continue to
develop his leadership skills ahead of the Giro. Likely to
gain time on major rivals in both the TTT and ITT.
Michal Kwiatkowski
One of the most improved riders in 2013 including 4th here,
4th and 5th at Amstel Gold and La Fleche Wallone respectively
and 11th at the Tour including a stint in the white jersey.
Has stepped up further this year winning Trofeo Serra de
Tramuntana, two stages and the overall at Volta ao Algarve and
most recently Strade Bianche on the weekend. A strong climber
but likely to lose some time on the summit finishes but with a
strong team likely to gain it back in the TTT and final ITT.
Cadel Evans
After two hard years with illness and injury Evans has started
2014 with a bang. 2nd at the National Championships, a stage
and 2nd overall at the Tour Down Under. Since arriving in
Europe has finished 5th and 7th at Tour du Haut Var and Strade
Bianche. Evans dropped the entire peloton including Porte on
the corkscrew climb at the Tour Down under showing he is
climbing as well as he has in the past. A genuine all rounder
who is strong on both the climbs, the flat and time trials.
Brings a strong squad to support him in the TTT and the flat
and should gain time on other contenders in the final ITT.
Knows what it takes to win here having done so in 2011.
Nairo Quintana
Won the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco and Vuelta a Burgos last
year. Finished 2nd to Froome at the Tour and also won the
mountains jersey. One of the strongest climbers in the peloton
and on the steep gradients on stages 4 and 5 few will be able
to match him. Started the year winning the Tour de San Luis.
His Movistar team is an outsider for the TTT but while
Quintana has put in strong performances in time trials before
they are usually hillier ones.
Alberto Contador
Had a solid 2014 but not what fans have come to expect from
Contador. Finished top 10 at Tour de San Luis, Tour of Oman,
Tirreno-Adriatico, Vuelta Pais Vasco last year and Critérium
du Dauphiné. 4th in the Tout but finished over six minutes
back. Only ridden the Volta ao Algarve so far but took a stage
and second overall.
Domenico Pozzovivo
Finished 11th last year but more importantly finished 10th and
6th at the Giro and Vuelta respectively. Targeting the Giro
again with Tirreno and important race in finding form. A very
strong climber who should be near the front on stages 4 and 5.
Took a surprise 3rd in the ITT at the Vuelta and while that
was a hilly route it shows he has improved his time trialing.
Bauke Mollema and Robert Gesink
Both had strong 2013 seasons with multiple top 10 finishes.
Mollema took top 10's at Tour Méditerranéen, Vuelta a
Andalucia, Critérium International, Tour de Suisse and then
took a strong 6th overall at the Tour de France. Strong in the
time trials and should be competitive against the GC
contenders. Gesink took 6th at Volta Ciclista a Catalunya and
8th at the Tour of Beijing.
Jurgen van den Broeck
Missed the second half of 2013 after crashing out of the Tour
but has had a strong start to the year. Finished 24th at the
Tour de San Luis and then improved to finish 16th at the Tour
of Oman against some of the best GC riders in the peloton.
Unlikely to be at his best but has finished in the top 10 of
all three Grand Tours including 4th twice at the Tour so
should never be discounted.
Chris Horner
After his Giro victory he was left without a team and it
wasn't until well in to the new year. With Volta Catalunya and
Vuelta Pais Vasco coming up and more to his style don't expect
him to be at his best yet but Horner did finish 8th at Volta
ao Algarve in February. With a TTT and ITT even though it is
short Horner will need to gain time on the climbs to be a
contender.
Andrew Talansky and Daniel Martin
For Talansky it is his first stage race of the season and has
only ridden 2 days at Challenge Mallorca. Talansky took 2nd at
Paris-Nice last year, 6th at Critérium International before
10th at the Tour. With little racing in his legs form is
unknown. Martin makes his 2014 after finishing 20th last year
before winning Volta Ciclista a Catalunya,
Liège-Bastogne-Liège and a stage of the Tour. With the Giro
his big target and no racing in his legs don't expect him to
be at his best.
Other names to watch: Michele Scarponi, Tanel Kangert, Ivan
Basso, Thibaut Pinot, Alexandre Geniez, Daniel Moreno, Andrey
Amador, Rigoberto Uran, Ivan Santaromita, Pierre Rolland,
Stefano Pirazzi and Tiago Machado.
Sprinters
Marcel Kittel
Took 15 wins in 2013 including 4 at the Tour de France where
he was consistently beating Cavendish and Greipel. His
Giant-Shimano train has become the best in the business and
has become dominant in the final kilometres. Wasn’t in
contention on any stages at the Tour Dow Under but was
dominant at the Dubai Tour winning all three road stages.
André Greipel
Took his usual strong start at the Tour Down Under taking two
stages in convincing fashion. Was beaten by Tom Boonen on
stage 4 of the Tour of Qatar but backed up the next day taking
his third win of the year. Was dominant again at the Tour of
Oman adding another three stages. Is again missing key leadout
man Greg Henderson but his Lotto-Belisol train is still one of
the best.
Mark Cavendish
Started the season on a much slower not with just the one
victory so far a stage of the Volta ao Algarve. With his main
target winning a Tour stage in his mother's home town don't
expect him to be back to his best yet but will want to prove
he can still beat the best.
Arnaud Demare
Took his first win of the year on the final stage of the Tour
of Qatar and added another podium at Volta ao Algarve. More
suited to harder or uphill sprints expect to see Demare at his
best on stage 2.
Gerald Ciolek
Took his first victory of the year on stage 3 of the Vuelta
Andalucia where he narrowly beat out Roy Jans on the line.
Pulled out of Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen with illness and
with the defence of his Milano-Sanremo title fast approaching
might play it safe.
Peter Sagan
Targeting the quality of his wins this year over the quantity.
Has just the one win so far at the Tour of Oman that came from
a two man break on a hilly stage instead of in a bunch sprint.
Often capable of matching the top sprinters in the world on
the flat but with bigger targets to come might not be on the
same level.
Other names to watch: Davide Appollonio, Nikias Arndt, Sonny
Colbrelli, Heinrich Haussler Ariel Maximiliano Richeze, Sam
Bennett and Daniele Bennati. |
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