Tirreno-Adriatico

Tirreno-Adriatico 2026 is the 61st edition of the early-season stage race, which runs parallel with Paris-Nice.

Coming after the gravel roads of Strade Bianche, the race is often used as something a bit different for Classics men as they build for Milan-San Remo a week later. It also attracts some of the world's best GC riders and is an important warm-up race for the Giro d'Italia and other goals later in the season. 

In recent years it's been won by the best of the best: four-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), four-time Vuelta a España champion Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), and double Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) are among those to lift one of cycling's best trophies, and the only one (probably) to double up as a weapon. 

The seven-day event, known as 'The Race of the Two Seas', starts at the coast of the Tyrrhenian sea and makes its way across Italy to the shores of the Adriatic sea. Along the way, the riders tackle sharp climbs and mountains, as well as sprint finishes and a time trial.

The race started in 1966 with Dino Zandegù taking the win ahead of Vito Taccone and Rolf Maurer. The record for the most overall victories is held by Belgian star Roger De Vlaeminck, who has a total of six wins, claimed between 1972 to 1977.

Riders on the provisional start list this year include Roglič, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost)

Tirreno-Adriatico 2026: Key details

Tirreno-Adriatico 2026: The route

Tirreno-Adriatico 2026 consists of seven stages; like recent years it kicks off with a completely flat, short individual time trial. There is only one nailed-on sprint stage, the final day, with the other four days all hilly affairs.

There are no big mountain finishes, but there are some big climbs dotted through the race, including the Sassotetto on stage six, 13.1km at 7.3%. There are 16 classified climbs in all.

It's the kind of race that could be won by as punchy rider as well as an out-and-out GC contender, although those riders are often the same. There's even a bit of gravel on stage two's Tuscan outing.

Tirreno-Adriatico 2026: Stage-by-stage

Tirreno-Adriatico 2026: The jerseys

The leader of general classification – the rider with the shortest cumulative time as the race goes on – wears the maglia azzurra, and the rider wearing it at the end of the final stage is crowned the overall winner of the race. 

The points classification is one for the sprinters, and the leader wears the maglia ciclamino, or pink jersey. The king of the mountains wears a maglia verde, green, and the leader of the young rider classification is awarded the maglia bianca (white jersey).

Tirreno-Adriatico: Recent winners

2025: Juan Ayuso (Esp), UAE Team Emirates-XRG
2024: Jonas Vingegaard (Den), Visma-Lease a Bike
2023: Primož Roglič  (Slo), LottoNL–Jumbo
2022: Tadej Pogačar (Slo), UAE Team Emirates
2021: Tadej Pogačar (Slo), UAE Team Emirates
2020: Simon Yates (GBr), Mitchelton-Scott
2019: Primož Roglič (Slo), Team Jumbo-Visma
2018: Michał Kwiatkowski (Pol), Team Sky
2017: Nairo Quintana (Col), Movistar Team
2016: Greg Van Avermaet (Bel), BMC Racing Teamv
2015: Nairo Quintana (Col), Movistar Team
2014: Alberto Contador (Esp), Tinkoff-Saxo
2013: Vincenzo Nibali (Ita), Astana Pro Team
2012: Vincenzo Nibali (Ita), Liquigas-Cannondale
2011: Cadel Evans (Aus), BMC Racing Team
2010: Stefano Garzelli (Ita), Acqua & Sapone
2009: Michele Scarponi (Ita), Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Gicattoli

Official race links

Tirreno-Adriatico official website

Tirreno Adriatico official Twitter feed