It almost goes without saying: Tirreno Adriatico 2026 will finish in San Benedetto del Tronto. This time the final stage starts from Civitanova Marche, but the podium and final ceremonies will once again be set up in the city that has always been the stage for the race’s closing act. Apart from the inaugural 1966 edition, which ended in Pescara, the Race of the Two Seas has always concluded in San Benedetto del Tronto. This will be its 60th overall finish and the 72nd time the town has hosted a stage.
The concluding stage covers 143 km, starting from the Adriatic coast before heading inland. The climbs of Montefiore dell’Aso (10.9 km at 3.4%) and Ripatransone (8.4 km at 4.6%) come in quick succession, but after the long descent to Grottammare there are no further elevation difficulties. The race then enters the now-familiar San Benedetto del Tronto circuit, 15 km long and to be completed five times, where the sprinters are expected to battle for the final stage victory.
Civitanova Marche developed over time along a dual axis: the ancient hilltop core of Civitanova Alta and the coastal settlement of Civitanova Porto, which expanded mainly between the 19th and 20th centuries. This duality reflects the area’s history, initially linked to agriculture and inland control, and later to fishing, port activity, and industrial development. The port played a central role in economic and urban growth, turning Civitanova into one of the key centres of the Marche coast. It has hosted Tirreno Adriatico stages 25 times (and 4 Giro d’Italia stages), with the most recent stage start dating back to 2010.
San Benedetto del Tronto, by contrast, owes its historical identity to the sea and fishing. In addition to being the traditional final destination of Tirreno Adriatico, it has also hosted six Giro d’Italia stages, although the most recent dates back to 1964. The town developed from an older nucleus set on slightly higher ground, before expanding mainly along the coast during the 19th and 20th centuries, following the growth of the port and maritime activities. San Benedetto is traditionally regarded as one of the Adriatic’s fishing capitals, a role that has deeply shaped its urban structure and economic life. Alongside this productive vocation, a strong tourism dimension has emerged over time, centred on the seafront, beach resorts, and a modern, orderly urban layout.
