Today the 2014 Tirreno-Adriatico route was presented in Italy. Next year’s race includes stages for almost all kinds of riders. There are two stages for the sprinters, two stages in the mountains, an ITT stage, a TTT stage and a stage for the finisseurs.

The race will start the 12th of March 2014 with a Team Time Trial from San Vincenzo to Donoratico, just as last year. The TTT is 16,9 km long and includes one checkpoint time. It is flat and the highest point is 52 meters.

The next stage will start in San Vincenzo and ends in Cascina. The stage is 173 km long and it is the first stage for the sprinters. It starts with some hills, but the sprinters should be able to stay in the peloton. Then it turns into flat terrain and then it is up to the sprinters.

Stage 3 from Cascina to Arezzo (206 km) is relative flat at the end, but it could be a day for the finisseurs. Some of the sprinters might be able to stay with the front group, but you will certainly see some of the sprinters fell off. It will be an exciting day.

On March the 15th stage 4 will start in Arezzo and end in Cittarealae. The stage is 237 km long and contains 3 mountains. First is Forca Di Cerro, a 413 m high mountain, then comes Forca Capistrello which is 919 m high and the stage ends with a summit finish on Selva Rotonda.

Day 5 is another day for the climbers. The stage starts in Amatrice and ends in Guardiagrele (190 km). The day starts with two hills before the highlight of the stage, Passo Lanciano and Muro di Guardiagrele. Passo Lanciano is 1068 m high. The last climb is very short, only 800 m. But the average gradient is 25,10! The 800 meters will be some decisive meters.

Stage 6 from Bucchianico to Porto Sant’Elpidio is the second day for the sprinters. The stage is not completely flat because of the three hills, but just as on stage 2, the sprinters should be able to stay with the peloton.

Stage 7 is full of Tirreno-Adriatico tradition. The 49th edition of the race ends with an Individual Time Trial in San Benedetto. The stage is 9,3 km and completely flat. The time trial contains five curves and lots of straight road.

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) won the race last year ahead of Tour winner Chris Froome (Sky) and Spaniard Alberto Contador (Team Saxo-Tinkoff). Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Merida) took the KOM shirt, Alberto Contador (Team Saxo-Tinkoff) the points jersey, Michal Kwiatkowski (OPQS) the white jersey and the Teams classification was won by Movistar.

RCS Sport General Manager, Michele Acquarone was in Italy today together with a lot of interested journalists. The director is happy with the route and looks forward to the 12th of March next year.

“Mauro [Vegni, Tirreno - Adriatico Director of Operations] and Stefano [RCS Sport Head of Sport Management] were really wonderful in designing the Corsa dei Due Mari route. A stage race that is now world-class. Last year, the podium was fantastic and I think everyone had a lot of fun. We are trying to do our best to make the event more interesting and compelling; and with the cooperation of everyone, including athletes and teams, the common goal is to reach the largest possible audience. We want to thank all our local institutions: we will bring to the world pictures of your city and your beauty. If we work together we can bring thousands of fans on the streets of Tirreno - Adriatico, certainly giving a better image which will benefit everyone.”