The route of the 2011 Tirreno-Adriatico was presented today in the Tuscan seaside resort of Marina de Carrara. The “Corsa dei Due Mari” (the race of the two seas), which crosses from one side of the Italian peninsular to the other, will cover 1075.1km over seven stages, with days intended to suit climbers, sprinters and rouleurs.
“We tried to design a very varied Tirreno-Adriatico to give opportunities to every type pf rider,” said Mr. Mauro Vegni, Operations Director of race organiser RCS Sport.
A number of riders were present at the launch, including Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-ISD), Danilo Napolitano (Acqua & Sapone), Alessandro Vanotti and Daniel Oss (both Liquigas-Cannondale), and Elia Favilli and Pierpaolo De Negri (both Farnese Vini-Neri).
2010 race winner Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone) was trapped at his home in Spain due to a delayed flight, but managed to speak to the presentation about his aim to win his second edition of the event. Former Tuscan rider Michele Bartoli, whose considerable palmares includes the 1999 edition was on hand to offer his advice on how to do well in the race to the current crop of riders.
The race will begin on March 9th with a 16.8km team time trial in Marina di Carrara, which was the reason for the location of the presentation. Angelo Zubbani, Mayor of Carrara was present to offer his support to the race.
“It is a great honour for my town to host the initial stage of the 2011 Tirreno-Adriatico,” he said, “and I will take personal responsibility to assure that Marina di Carrara give maximum support to this charming sport event.”
The following two stages, travelling south and east, should offer chances to the sprinters; the following days, which will traverse the Appenine mountain range that forms the spine of the country, will be much more to the liking of the climbers, with the race’s “Cima Coppi” coming on the Sassotetto on stage five.
Stage six, the final road stage of the race, will feature the tough climb of the Madonna del Monte, with its slopes of up to 18%, three times on the way to the finish at Macerata.
The race will end with a totally flat 9.3km individual time trial in the Adriatic coastal town of San Benedetto del Tronto.
As well as the riders, Italian national team coach Paolo Bettini was present. The Tuscan rider expressed his satisfaction with the course, which should help him in his choices for the next squadra azzura.
“It is a very competitive edition and will be a great time for me to evaluate the most talented riders during the time trials,” he said, “and will provide the right basis for those who are aiming for a Milano-Sanremo win, on the 19th March”
The presentation was ended with a remembrance of Bettini’s predecessor Franco Ballerini “the gentleman coach”, who tragically died a year ago this week.
Tirreno-Adriatico 2011 stages (March 9th – 15th):
Stage 1: Marina di Carrara (team time trial), 16.8km
Stage 2: Carrara – Indicatore (Arezzo), 202km
Stage 3: Terranuova Bracciolini – Perugia, 189km
Stage 4: Narni – Chieti, 240km
Stage 5: Chieti – Castelraimondo, 240km
Stage 6: Ussita – Macerata, 178km
Stage 7: San Benedetto del Tronto (individual time trial), 9.3km
Teams invited to 2011 Tirreno-Adriatico:
AG2R La Mondiale (Fra)
BMC Racing Team (Usa)
Euskaltel-Euskadi (Spa)
HTC-Highroad (USA)
Katusha Team (Rus)
Lampre-ISD (Ita)
Liquigas-Cannondale (Ita)
Movistar Team (Spa)
OmegaPharma-Lotto (Bel)
Pro Team Astana (Kaz)
Quick Step Cycling Team (Bel)
Rabobank Cycling Team (Ned)
Saxo Bank SunGard (Den)
Sky Procycling (GBr)
Team Garmin-Cervélo (USA)
Team Leopard – Trek (Lux)
Team Radioshack (USA)
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team (Ned)
Acqua & Sapone (Ita)
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli (GBr)