In a one-week stage race, time for hesitation is simply not an option. Every stage matters, every day is an opportunity to make a move. The 2025 Tirreno Adriatico will be no exception. Beyond the sprinters’ stages, the general classification could see shake-ups, big or small, in pretty much every other fraction.
The race kicks off with a tricky test: the 11.5 km individual time trial in Lido di Camaiore, which will immediately create gaps among the main GC contenders and force some of them to attack in the following days. Last year, Juan Ayuso won the opening TT but couldn’t hold off the climbing assaults from eventual winner Jonas Vingegaard, who had lost a few seconds on day 1 but made up for it in the mountains.
The first real showdown could come on Stage 3, the 239km Follonica-Colfiorito. The final climb, the Valico di Colfiorito (18.4 km at 3-4%), crests with just 4 km to go, making it a tempting launchpad for stage hunters. It’s a steady, manageable climb where sitting in the wheels is relatively easy, but the real wildcard is the sheer length of the stage. At this point in the season, very few riders will have spent such a long day in the saddle, and after more than 200 km, even gentle gradients can sting in the legs.
However, the real GC battle will be fought in the Marche region, on Stages 5 and 6. The former, the 205 km Ascoli Piceno–Pergola stage, features the signature terrain of this area: relentless rolling hills, nine categorized climbs, and barely a moment to catch your breath. The finale is brutally selective, with the Monte Santa Croce (3.4 km at 8.8%) followed by the Monte della Serra (4.7 km at 6.6%), which tops out just 7 km from the finish. The race could explode earlier, but one way or another, a clash between the GC favorites seems inevitable.
The following day, the 162 km Cartoceto–Frontignano stage will feature the race’s only true summit finish, a brand-new and punishing final climb. The entire stage offers little respite, but the decisive moment will come on the final ascent to Frontignano: 7.6 km at a grueling 8%. This is where the pure climbers must attack and make their mark. With the prestigious Trident Trophy on the line, let’s expect an all-out battle for glory.
