The 60th edition of the Tirreno-Adriatico will open on Monday 10 March with an 11.5 km individual time trial in Lido di Camaiore that could already create some important differences between the men in the general classification.

After the probable sprint in Follonica, the first tricky arrival in Colfiorito after 18 km of climbing, not impossible, and 3 km of slight descent. The stages in Trasacco and Pergola hide pitfalls and are suitable for breakaways or riders who are resistant on the climbs. Before the last sprint in San Benedetto del Tronto, here is the only real uphill arrival of the race in Frontignano, in the penultimate stage, after 7.6 km of climbing and average gradients that touch 8 percent.

Tadej Pogacar is missing, but UAE Emirates has a very respectable lineup with Juan Ayuso and Adam Yates as captains along with a lively Isaac Del Toro. Also in the general classification are Mikel Landa of Soudal Quick Step, Pello Bilbao and Antonio Tiberi of Bahrain Victorious, Jay Hindley of Red Bull Bora, Simon Yates, making his seasonal debut with Visma, Richard Carapaz of Ef and Giulio Ciccone of Lidl Trek.

There will be plenty of opportunities for stage hunters: Mathieu Van der Poel will be at Tirreno to better prepare for Milan-Sanremo. With him also Thomas Pidcock, brilliant at Strade Bianche, Marc Hirschi and Paul Magnier.

For the few sprints available here are Jonathan Milan, Olav Kooij, Biniam Girmay and Dylan Groenewegen.

Sprint Cycling Photo