Tirreno-Adriatico 2021 route: Stages for the 56th edition of the 'Race of the Two Seas'

The 56th Tirreno-Adriatico route covers just over 1,100 kilometres this year but does not start with the usual team time trial that we have seen in recent years but a similar stage to last year's edition.

With two realistic 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 fight it out for a stage win.

Stage one is a longer version of last year's opener, featuring 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 156km.

Stage two finishes on a bit of a kick and takes in a few hills between Camaiore to Chiusdino which covers 226km and is likely to be the first test for the GC riders.

Stage three, from Monticiano to Gualdo Tadino, is a 189km rolling stage with hills but could be an outside chance for another day for the sprinters.

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Stage four is the big day in the mountains, starting in Terni the race takes on three peaks, one of which is categorised, before descending down to the start of the Prati di Tivo, gaining 1000 metres in 14km, surely sorting out who will be battling for blue on the final day.

Stage five goes fro Castellalto to Catelfidaro over 205km with the second half of the stage taking in five laps of the punishing local circuit.

Then it is back to sprinting for stage six with 169km from Castelraimondo to Lido di Fermo, the seventh and final stage is the individual time trial in San Benedetto del Tronto, but with a twist for 2021 as they change up the route a bit over 11.1km to decide the winner of the overall.

Tirreno-Adriatico 2021 stages

Stage one, Wednesday March 10, Lido di Camaiore - Lido di Camaiore, 156km

Almost a carbon copy top last year's opening stage, this is expected to decide the wearer of the mountains jersey before half of the stage is done before a bunch sprint to the line.

Stage two, Thursday March 11, Camaiore - Chiusdino, 226km

Stage two will be the first shake-up in the general classification but is not likely to decide the race with bigger fish to fry later on.

Stage three, Friday March 12, Monticiano - Gualdo Tadino, 189km

A day that could go in many directions. It should be a sprint, but the slightly hilly route may favour the more punchy riders, and with the likes of Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) targeting the race, you would imagine he would want a harder race.

Stage four, Saturday March 13, Terni - Prati di Tivo, 148km

The big test for anyone who will be hoping to take the blue jersey comes on this day with the massive ascent of Prati di Tivo which gains 1000 metres in 14km. A possible GC decider before even the time trial.

Stage five, Sunday March 14, Castellalto - Catelfidaro, 205km

Another tricky day for the peloton to tackle, especially the last half of the stage where they ride five laps of a very hill circuit in Catelfidardo.

Stage six, Monday March 15, Castelraimondo - Lido di Fermo, 169km

Another hill start to the day turns into a day that should be for the fast men, but with the small rises in the lap around Lido di Fermo it could be a perfect launchpad for an attack into the closing 7km.

Stage seven, Tuesday March 16, San Benedetto del Tronto to San Benedetto del Tronto, 11.1km ITT

Last but not least it's the usual San Benedetto del Tronto time trial... Or is it? The organisers have actually decided to shake up the traditional final stage by taking it an extra kilometre around the coastal town.

It's also not the usual out-and-back route either, it's more of an all over the place ride taking in some relatively tricky bends with one slight dip to go through a tunnel.