The Tirreno-Adriatico is known and appreciated by riders and fans alike for offering a nice mix of everything, and the 2025 edition will be no exception: fast sprints, challenging climbs, mixed stages, and time trials are all on the menu, making it a true test for any rider who will decide to show up in Lido di Camaiore, the starting point for the 60th edition of the Corsa Dei Due Mari.
The opening stage sticks to tradition, kicking off with an individual time trial along the Lido di Camaiore seafront. A flat 11.5 km stretch, with a U-turn in Viareggio at the halfway point, where the intermediate checkpoint will be recorded. A classic time trial that has historically favored specialists like Filippo Ganna, who has won here twice, though last year saw a surprise victory from Juan Ayuso. The second fraction, the 189 km from Camaiore to Follonica, is another typical Tirreno stage: no significant altitude challenges, just a sprinting showdown for the fast wheels, who usually show up in droves at this race.
Stage 3 is sure to be exciting, as the peloton faces 239 km from Follonica to Colfiorito. The long distance combines with a nervy start, featuring several rolling hills, and a finish that will demand full focus. The riders will tackle the Colfiorito climb, an 18.4 km ascent which, after over 200 km of racing, is likely going to take a toll on the riders’ legs despite the manageable gradients (around 3-4%). The climb ends just 4 km from the finish, leaving a prime opportunity for a breakaway or a surge from the leaders.
While the big names might not battle it out in the early fractions, Stage 4, from Norcia to Trasacco for over 189 km, will be tough to predict. The riders will immediately face tricky terrain, starting with the Forca della Civita and followed by the Sella di Corno and the La Crocetta pass (12.4 km at 5.7%). The climb finishes 80 km from the line, and after that, it’s relatively smooth sailing to the Fucino plain, where two laps of a 14 km circuit are expected to bring the race to a thrilling conclusion.
The following day, the peloton enters the Marche region, where the terrain becomes more rugged and the climbs steeper. The Ascoli Piceno-Pergola stage, 205 km long, is a perfect example of the region’s “walls,” with 9 climbs in total, 3 of which are categorized as KOMs. The outcome of this stage will likely be decided the last two asperities, both located within the last 26 km. First comes Monte Santa Croce (3.4 km at 8.8%), followed by Monte della Serra (4.7 km at 6.6%), the latter topping out with just 7 km to go. After a day without much room for breathing, a head-to-head showdown between the overall contenders is expected in the final stretch.
This battle will likely continue in Stage 6, which could be considered the Queen Stage of the 2025 Tirreno-Adriatico. From Cartoceto to Frontignano (Ussita), over 162 km, the route offers hardly any flat ground to play with. The finale is very challenging, basically climbing continuously until the unprecedented uphill finish at Frontignano, which puts 7.6 km at an average gradient of 8% on the plate. This climb will turn out to be a decisive moment for many, as it could be the key to securing the Maglia Azzurra and the legendary Trident that comes with it.
As usual, the final celebration will take place in San Benedetto del Tronto, with a 147 km stage starting from Porto Potenza Picena. The Ripatransone climb, located 90 km from the finish, shouldn’t intimidate the sprinters, who will have 5 laps of the circuit to set up their final sprint and get ready for the grand finale of the 2025 Tirreno-Adriatico.
