The 55th Tirreno-Adriatico route covers just over 1,300 kilometres this year but does not start with the usual team time trial that we have seen in recent years.
With three chances for the sprinters, three stages that suit the puncheurs, one summit finish and an individual time trial to finish off the race, there is an opportunity for all kinds of riders to snatch a win.
Stage one features two circuits with the stage starting and finishing in Lido di Camaiore, a hilly first half leads to a pan flat second half to the line after 133km, before another sprint stage on day two from Camaiore to Follonica which covers 201km and is largely flat.
Stage three, from Follonica to Saturnia, is a 217km rolling stage with hills that are likely to be the first GC shake-up, before 194km of more serious hills the following day from Terni to Cascia. The final 11km is downhill – but it’s preceded with the Forca di Gualdo, Rifugio Perugia and the Ospedaletto climb.
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The fifth stage from Norcia to Sarnano-Sassotetto is the classic stage of the race, with it’s only summit finish up the frequently used climb. The 13.2km climb at an average gradient of 7.1 per cent is the main day for the general classification riders.
Then it is back to sprinting for stage six with 175km from Castelfidardo to Senigallia, the seventh stage has a chance to catch GC guys out as the 181km route between Pieve Torina to Loreto where they take on hilly laps to finish before the 10.1km individual time trial in San Benedetto del Tronto offers a final chance at a GC reshuffle.
Tirreno-Adriatico 2020 stages
| Stage one, Monday September 7 | Lido di Camaiore | 133km flat |
| Stage two, Tuesday September 8 | Camaiore – Follonica | 201km flat |
| Stage three, Wednesday September 9 | Follonica – Saturnia | 217km hills |
| Stage four, Thursday September 10 | Terni – Cascia | 194km hills |
| Stage five, Friday September 11 | Norcia – Sarnano-Sassotetto | 202km mountain |
| Stage six, Saturday September 12 | Castelfidardo – Senigallia | 175km flat |
| Stage seven, Sunday September 13 | Pieve Torina – Loreto | 181km hills |
| Stage eight, Monday September 14 | San Benedetto del Tronto | 10.1km ITT |
Stage one, Monday September 7: Lido Di Camaiore – Lido Di Camaiore, 133km
A tricky course that takes on two circuits handing out the first mountain points in the first half of the day with the second half around the town, finishing on the sea front.
Stage two, Tuesday September 8: Camaiore – Follonica, 201km
Another day that suits the sprinters as the riders settle into the second day of racing.
Stage three, Wednesday September 9: Follonica – Saturnia, 217km
The first tester for the riders going for the overall win. We should see the first major shake-up here.
Stage four, Thursday September 10: Terni – Cascia, 194km
The first day of major climbing comes today with an 11km descent to the finish where either a solo rider or a small group will come to the line.
Stage five, Friday September 11: Norcia – Sarnano-Sassotetto, 202km
The fifth stage finishes on the top of the often used Sarnano-Sassotetto climb, 13.2km with gradient maxing out at just over 10 per cent, this day may decide the race.
Stage six, Saturday September 12: Castelfidardo – Senigallia, 175km
An undulating first half of the stage leads to a pan flat second half with five laps around the finishing circuit in Senigallia, the sprinters last real chance to throw their arms in the air.
Stage seven, Sunday September 13: Pieve Torina – Loreto, 181km
And up and down day that finished on another circuit, but the riders will have to negotiate a peppering of three climbs each lap around Loreto before a short one kilometre dash uphill finish.
Stage eight, Monday September 14: San Benedetto Del Tronto, 10.1km ITT
The final stage is the classic 10.1km individual time trial along the sea front and back again. If the GC is close enough, this could make a big reshuffle on the final day.
