The route of is composed of two virtually straight sectors, rolling along the two lanes of the same road. Halfway is a slightly more intricate and complicated “turning point”. The course runs straight for 9.5 km, and then gets to the turning point in Forte dei Marmi, where split time is taken. The route then runs on narrowed roadway, takes two left-hand 90-degree turns leading back to the Forte dei Marmi promenade 14 km before the finish, and then heads back to Lido di Camaiore.
FINAL KILOMETRES
The last 5 kilometres roll along flat, straight roads (southbound). With 1,200 metres to the finish, a right/left S-shaped curve on narrowed roadway, leading to the 1-km long home stretch, marks the only complication. The finish line is on 6.5-m wide, asphalted roadway.
START/FINISH
Lido di Camaiore: a renowned seaside resort in Versilia, lying between Viareggio and Marina di Pietrasanta, Lido di Camaiore is a popular destination for tourists who can enjoy its fine, golden sand beach in the daytime, and its many clubs and bustling nightlife after dusk. The long promenade is lined with hotels, while the town is dotted with lovely, small Art Nouveau villas, surrounded by lush greenery. Main attraction for visitors coming from the whole coast include the modern pier, with its round terrace over the sea, which allows tourists to enjoy the pleasant sea breeze on summer evenings, and the summertime amusement park.
The surrounding area is a major destination for cycling enthusiasts, with breath-taking routes running from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Apuan Alps that serve as the perfect setting for trips across the territory.
Lido di Camaiore hosted a stage finish in the 1997, 2002 and 2007 Giro d’Italia and it is the usual inaugural stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico.
This stage is wavy and undulating, especially in the second part, and features an uphill finish that might make it suitable for finisseurs. After the start in Camaiore, the route reaches the seafront at the Lido, and then heads south towards Viareggio and Pisa, on flat roads. Gentle slopes begin while approaching Collesalvetti. The route turns technically demanding after the feed zone, located between San Martino and Casino di Terra, running up towards Canneto. The first categorized climb of the Race of the Two Seas will be in Serrazzano. After reaching Pomarance the first time, the route draws almost a long circuit that leads to Saline di Volterra, takes in two quite steep categorised climbs in Volterra and Montecatini Val di Cecina and, eventually, leads to the final climb (approx. 12 km, with mild average gradients).
FINAL KILOMETRES
Just past Saline di Volterra, the route starts to go up towards Cerreto, on a long and very uneven climb, with slopes beyond 10/12% alternating with mild 2/3% gradients. At the last mild bend, the final part of the route is uncomplicated, on 7-m wide, asphalt road.
START
Camaiore: from the turquoise blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the emerald green hills, surrounded by the Apuan Alps, the town of Camaiore is a microcosm of contrasting yet harmonizing colours, all the shades of a territory ranging from the mountain to the sea.
The city covers a wide and varied territory ranging from the lively coastline in Lido di Camaiore, to the mountain landscapes of the Apuan Alps, through the historical hamlet of Monteggiori, which is home to a feudal castle and to the Rotaio fortress. Highly valued for its historical centre, the town bursts into life especially in the summertime, offering a wealth of tourist attractions. The Palio takes place in June and in July. In August, summer events culminate in “Follie di Ferragosto”, a festival that brings the city to life, and in the Palio dell’Assunta.
The town of Camaiore is also known to sports and cycling enthusiasts for the historical “Gran Premio Città di Camaiore”, which was raced from 1949 to 2014.
FINISH
Pomarance: lying in inland Tuscany, the town of Pomarance hosts a wide range of ancient and modern tourist attractions, including a museum dedicated to geothermal science (Museo della Geotermia) in Larderello, leading visitors to discover the strength of nature in the surrounding territory, and the ways mankind has tried to harness this energy. The territory of Pomarance is home to the so-called Valle del Diavolo (the Devil’s Valley), which is said to have served as inspiration for the landscapes in Dante Alighieri’s Inferno. The tall columns of white steam are actually due to a natural phenomenon (boric-acid fumaroles).
Major architectural landmarks include Rocca Sillana, a majestic stronghold sitting strategically on top of a hill overlooking Val di Cecina.
The stage is fast and wavy, and will probably end in a bunch sprint. However, sprinters will have to prove they really deserve to win. The route starts mostly downhill and runs through the geothermal area, heading for Massa Marittima. Once the road has flattened out, the route heads south and towards the Maremma, reaching Grosseto. After clearing the first categorised climb in Scansano, the route follows the constant, moderate undulations leading through some quaint tuff-stone villages, up to Pitigliano. A very long sprint follows, descending all the way to the finish line in Montalto di Castro.
FINAL KILOMETRES
After a first downhill stretch, a short climb (with 3-4% gradients) leads to the heart of the city, marking the beginning of the home straight, with just a mild bend and running slightly uphill (with 2-3% gradients) on asphalt road.
START
Monterotondo Marittimo: not far from Grosseto, Monterotondo Marittimo is one of the seven towns forming the Technological and Archaeological Museum of Grosseto’s metalliferous hills. The Park comprises hills rich in mineral resources, known and exploited since the Etruscan times.
The town stands on the top of a cone-shaped mountain – a typical medieval Tuscan hamlet featuring narrow alleys and the ruins of the Rocca degli Alberti, imbued with Middle Ages atmosphere. In the nearby Frassine, the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Frassine is definitely worth a visit, just as it is the Lake Boracifero in the village of San Federigo, which boasts natural geothermic phenomena. Another archaeological attraction are the Langobardic Baths of King Porsenna dating back to the VI century.
FINISH
Montalto di Castro: it is the northernmost city of the region Lazio and the first Italian city in terms solar energy production, a virtuous primacy achieved at the Alessandro Volta thermal power station.
Lying at the heart of Lazio’s Maremma, in the province of Viterbo, the town is home to an archaeological site in the age-old Etruscan city of Vulci, surrounded by ancient necropoles. Main sights also include the Castello dell’Abbadia, which is home to an archaeological museum hosting rich grave sets found in the adjacents tombs. The site shows the great role played by Vulci in the Etruscan civilization.
The area also features outstanding historical monuments, such as the majestic “Ponte del Diavolo” (“the Devil’s bridge”), standing 20 metres above river Fiora, in front of the medieval Castello dell’Abbadia.
This is the hardest stage, ending with a summit finish. The route leads through the province of Viterbo, hitting the provincial capital, as well as Tuscania and Vignanello (taking in the first categorised climb in La Colonnetta, on the Monti Cimini). The route then runs apparently flat along the Via Flaminia, through Narni and Terni, then up the Marmore and across the Piana Reatina (with a short climb leading to Castelfranco), up to Vazia where the final climb begins. The final ascent from Vazia to Mount Terminillo (Campoforogna) is 16.1-km long, with a 7.3% gradient (reaching as high as 12%).
FINAL KILOMETRES
The final kilometres of the stage correspond to the final Mount Terminillo ascent. This climb features two long stretches with a constant slope of about 7.5-8%, separated by less than two kilometres with a 3-4% gradient in Pian di Rosce. The two steep sectors have no punchy bits, but they feature no mild stretches, either. Over the last few hundred metres, the gradients are lower than the rest of the climb. The home stretch in Campoforogna is 200 m long, on 7-m wide, asphalt and slightly uphill (2-3%) road.
START
Montalto di Castro: it is the northernmost city of the region Lazio and the first Italian city in terms solar energy production, a virtuous primacy achieved at the Alessandro Volta thermal power station.
Lying at the heart of Lazio’s Maremma, in the province of Viterbo, the town is home to an archaeological site in the age-old Etruscan city of Vulci, surrounded by ancient necropoles. Main sights also include the Castello dell’Abbadia, which is home to an archaeological museum hosting rich grave sets found in the adjacents tombs. The site shows the great role played by Vulci in the Etruscan civilization.
The area also features outstanding historical monuments, such as the majestic “Ponte del Diavolo” (“the Devil’s bridge”), standing 20 metres above river Fiora, in front of the medieval Castello dell’Abbadia.
FINISH
Mount Terminillo: a well-known winter resort and nicknamed the “Romans’ Mountain” is a massif in the province of Rieti. The massif has two skiing resorts, the most famous being Terminillo, on the southern slope.
Remaining in the field of sport, there are many paths of the CAI (Alpine Club of Italy) which can be taken both in the winter and in the summer when the “Sky race” is held, a mountain race along the CAI paths.
There is also room for fans of motors and speed with the traditional mountain car race which has taken place since the middle of the 1960s. In the 2017 edition of the Tirreno-Adriatico, it will host the finish of the toughest and most challenging stage of the competition.
This will be a “wall climbing” stage, consisting of two separate parts. The first one runs through the Apennines, nearly up to the province of Fermo; the second one, approaching the finish and the final circuit, is wavier and more demanding, with 7 steep climbs (“muri”). The route initially follows the Via Salaria, up to the Torretta pass, then it climbs down, almost reaching Ascoli Piceno and heads towards the province of Fermo, rolling through a few side-valleys. The route runs past Venarotta (intermediate sprint), Montelparo (cat. climb) and Grottazzolina (intermediate sprint). The race takes a first pass around Fermo to clear the Capodarco categorised climb and, shortly after, the Fermo-Reputolo ascent, and then passes near the finish line. Here, the route draws almost a circuit, covering approx. 22 km, featuring two tricky climbs: Madonnetta d’Ete and Fermo-Reputolo, again.
FINAL KILOMETRES
The final kilometres run almost entirely uphill. The Reputolo climb (max gradient 22%) leads to urban Fermo; from here on, the route goes up steadily along the narrow and porphyry-paved city roads, at times with steep gradients. After a short descent 750 m before the finish, the route runs up again with gradients nearing 10% until the finish line, on a 6-m asphalt road.
START
Rieti: founded by the Sabines, a population from the centre of Italy, the city was subjugated to Rome in 290 BC.
The walls of the Roman period have almost all disappeared, whilst the majestic medieval ones are well preserved. The religious architecture in the city is remarkable, including two of the four Franciscan sanctuaries, which make the city a destination for religious tourism. The Basilica Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Romanesque outside, Baroque inside, with the bell tower and the baptistery, is also very important. Amongst the non-religious architecture, the remains of the Roman Bridge and the Bishops’ Palace stand out, whilst the Palazzo Vicentini was built in the Renaissance.
It is not only a city of history but also a city of sport with a strong bond with the Giro d’Italia. It has hosted 20 stages of the Giro and boasts of a strong tradition in light athletics, in basketball, in rugby as well as in winter sports thanks to its vicinity with Mount Terminillo.
FINISH
Fermo: it is the capital of the province of the same name in the Marche region. The historical part of the city still preserves its purely medieval appearance and huddles around the Sabulo hill, on the top of which there is the Cathedral of Fermo in a Romanesque-Gothic style, with the panoramic square in front of it called Piazzale del Girfalco.
Archaeological excavations have dated the birth of the city in much earlier times than the Middle Ages, with Roman findings, as well as the famous Roman Cisterns, still in a perfect state of preservation and open for visits. Lastly, Piazza del Popolo, defined as the city’s drawing room, with the Palazzo dei Priori, the town hall, and the city’s art gallery, are also not to be missed.
The stage is wavy but uncomplicated. The first part runs in the hinterland, across Comunanza, Amandola and Sarnano. The route then enters the province of Macerata to tackle the final categorised climb of the race in Pollenza. The course then follows constant undulations, running across a number of hilltop towns such as Montecassiano, Montefano, Recanati (intermediate sprint) and Loreto. The route eventually enters the final circuit (1 lap), where the last intermediate sprint will be awarded upon the passage on the finish line.
FINAL KILOMETRES
The final circuit is 15.2 km long. The first part runs flat from the seafront to the city centre, with traffic dividers and a wide underpass with a central pillar on the course. A mild climb, approx. 4 km in length, leads to Civitanova Marche, followed by a technical descent leading back to the seafront. The last 4 km are on straight roads, with just two wide-ranging bends just before the final kilometre. The road is 7.5-m wide on tarmac.
START
Ascoli Piceno: the town in the Marche region was created to be admired. With the largest old city centre in the region full of history, architecture and art, Ascoli Piceno is one of the monumental cities of Italy.
Its centre is built in travertine marble and Piazza del Popolo is considered the most beautiful Italian Renaissance square, with Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, one of the best known historic buildings of Ascoli Piceno and its medieval Crenellated Tower, looking on to it.
The oldest square in Ascoli is actually Piazza Arringo, surrounded by architectural works of art such as Palazzo Fonzi, Palazzo dell’Arrengo, Palazzo Vescovile, the Cathedral of Sant’Emidio and the St. John Baptistery.
Football is the most popular sport, followed by a great cycling tradition which has seen Ascoli as a stage city in the Giro d’Italia no fewer than five times.
FINISH
Civitanova Marche: a tourist resort on the Adriatic, in the summer it can boast countless beaches and activities for all ages.
Its cycling path along the sea front is part of the Adriatic Cycling Path, destined to become the point of cycling connection between all the towns on the Adriatic coast. Historically linked to cycling as the base of professional teams of the recent past.
For tourists who do not restrict themselves to sports and leisure activities, interesting monuments to visit are the Palazzo Ducale Cesarini-Sforza and, from the Art Nouveau period, the Lido Cluana and Villa Conti.
Individual time trial of 10,050 m, on a route that mainly follows the final circuit of the conclusive stages of the late 90s and recent 2000s (the same as in 2015). The start ramp is located in Viale Tamerici (south wharf). From here, riders proceed towards Porto d’Ascoli along the sea. From Piazza Salvo d’Acquisto (intermediate time recording – km 4.7), the route runs a further 750 m before heading back towards San Benedetto del Tronto, where the race ends on the traditional home stretch in Viale Buozzi. The last 2.5 km are almost on straight ground.
FINAL KILOMETRES
The last 3 km run along wide and mainly straight roads. The route runs along the seafront (upward lane) towards the finish line. 2.5 km before the finish, a double bend leads to the straight home stretch (2,500 m), on 8-m wide tarmacked road.
START/FINISH
San Benedetto del Tronto: a tourist destination par excellence, is the “queen of tourism in the Marche region” and one of the most important cities on the Adriatic coast. If it is famous all over the world thanks to its sea and the sea front, 30 metres wide, one of the most majestic in Italy, the mountains that surround and “protect” it (from the Vettore, to the Gran Sasso d’Italia and the Maiella) and which characterize the panorama, must not be forgotten.
Of Roman origin, San Benedetto expanded from the second half of the 19th century. The turning point came with the construction of the Adriatic railway line. Since then, San Benedetto del Tronto has grown around its sea which is a source of economic but also cultural wealth.
San Benedetto del Tronto has hosted the finish of the Tirreno-Adriatico without interruption since its second edition, contended in 1967.
