Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection that will participate in Tirreno-Adriatico, a 1019.1km stage race from March 12th through March 18th.

The first and last stages are both time trials. Stage 1 is a a flat, 18.5 team time trial, while Stage 7 is a flat, 9.1km individual time trial. Stages 2, 3, and 6 are undulating, but there are possibilities for a sprint. Stage 2 has a flat finale despite some climbs earlier in the stage. Stage 3 has a short and steep uphill finish, including a section with a max ramp of 11 percent. Stage 6 could also result in a group finish, as there are only a few small climbs and a flat final kilometer.

Stages 4 and 5 are both mountain stages, and could be crucial for determining the overall. Stage 4 includes an uphill finish from kilometer 230 to the 244th kilometer. A steep section, with a max ramp of 10%, is located near 1 kilometer to go. Stage 5 will likely be the most difficult. The final kilometer includes a max ramp of 30 percent between 1.4km to go and 800 meters, and also a max ramp of 12% within the final 250 meters. To have a chance in the finale, the riders will have to get over 13.1km Passo Lanciano at km 163.1 (max ramp 13%).

"Tirreno-Adriatico is important as it is a WorldTour race," Sport Director Davide Bramati said. "We have the points to think about, so we are really focused on this race to try and do well. We have to be honest, we were 4th last year with Michal Kwiatkowski and this year we are there again to try and do well. He did another step in his career within the last month of this year. However, in 2014 we can also count on Rigoberto Uran. He has already shown his abilities in these kind of races.

"The team is balanced. They are a good team. There will be a team time trial that will be important for not just the prestige of winning the stage, but also the general classification. So, it is important to do a good race immediately.

"Then we have several stages for the sprinters, so Mark Cavendish can count on his great leadout with Mark Renshaw and Alessandro Petacchi. He will be the team leader at that moment.

"Then there are the two stages that will be important for the GC. One is an uphill finish and another has a few passages with steep sections up to 30 percent that can make the difference.

"The final stage will again be a time trial that Tony Martin won last year. It is flat and not very technical, so it will favor the powerful riders. Tony is certainly one of the favorites again. But, it will be also important for the overall. It depends on the gap between the best GC riders and the time trial specialists at that point in the race. We are there to try and fight for a good position in the GC and go for at least one stage."

You can read our preview of the race here.

Omega Pharma-Quick Step for Tirreno-Adriatico

Michal Kwiatkowski, Tony Martin, Rigoberto Uran, Wout Poels, Matteo Trentin, Mark Cavendish, Alessandro Petacchi, and Mark Renshaw