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technical info
Relatively flat stage in the first part and completely flat for the last 80 km. It starts along the Adriatic coast before entering the Aso valley from Pedaso. There’s a short climb to Santa Maria della Fede, followed by the final, relatively easy ascent to Ripatransone. A long downhill section follows, leading the athletes down to Grottammare, before entering a 15 km circuit to be repeated 5 times. The circuit features mostly straight, wide, and asphalted roads.
Last kilometers
The final 3 km are on wide, mostly straight roads, with some gentle bends on medium-width roads in the first part. The last double bend occurs about 1 km from the finish. The road is 8 meters wide, with an asphalt surface.
start / finish
final kilometres
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tourist info
Host city:
Porto Potenza Picena
Overview
Porto Potenza Picena is the coastal area of Potenza Picena, a city suspended between the blue sea and the green hills, characterized by a wonderfully preserved medieval village and a large stretch of coast overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
A place that has witnessed history and passion, characterized by suggestive views, landscape and marvelous architecture and ancient traditions. Long sandy stretches spaced out by short rocky areas, clear crystal water, one of distinguishing features of Riviera del Conero: the city has been awarded a Blue Flag since 2008, a recognition that testifies the environmental quality and sustainable management of the territory. Since 2024 it has additionally been awarded a Lilac Flag, due to its commitment to accessibility.
But in Potenza Picena you can also discover palaces and villas telling the story of a territory rich in art, culture and spirituality: it is the medieval village which retains the ancient name of Monte Santo, born immediately after the unification of Italy. Moving towards the other districts of Potenza Picena, the typical scenario of the Macerata countryside can be seen: the gently rolling hills gently lead you towards the sea, the carefully farmed fields seem gardens for their order and precision. The shapes and colours of this land change with the seasons, offering an enchanting landscape that can fascinate everyone’s eyes.
Food
Potenza Picena boasts a rich food and wine heritage, consisting of meat and fish dishes, handed down across generations. Fish stews, fried food and flash grilled dishes… Each dish will let you experience unique emotions and flavors. The quality of the ingredients, the chefs’ and the local community’s passion make the real difference. Let’s discover together the most distinctive recipes kept over centuries in Potenza Picena.
- SQUID AND PEAS: the undisputed leader among the dishes of the seafaring tradition of Potenza Picena. The perfect blend of a main course with its side dish.
- HOMEMADE GNOCCHI WITH DUCK RAGÙ: This dish is a staple of Macerata culinary tradition.
- CARRETTIERA is a typical dish of the peasant culinary tradition, common not only in Le Marche. It takes the name from the carrettieri, those who were used to transport goods (and sometimes people) with carts pulled by horses or donkeys. A simple dish that made history, a combination of land and sea, painted red.
- FRASCARELLI MARCHIGIANI: Initially regarded as a poor dish, the addition of refined ingredients turned it into a rich and sophisticated recipe, a staple in the tradition of Maceratese cuisine. Beans with le cotiche, tagliatelle alla potentina and polenta con sausage are other examples of poor dishes elevated to fine recipes.
- VINCISGRASSI: do not call it lasagne! Undisputed sovereigns of Macerata and Ancona culinary tradition, Vincisgrassi is often confused with Lasagne, ignoring its ancient origin and uniqueness.
- FURBI CON L’ABBÌTI: this traditional dish, with such a curious name, is the result of the opportunities for exchange between fishermen and peasants. When the first ones came back from the sea bringing the catch of the day, they used to meet the peasants coming from the farmland to sell the harvest on the coastline. The fishermen used to trade octopus, called furbi, for the fresh vegetables of the peasants. This is the story of such a tasty and versatile dish.
- Each region has its own fish stew (GUAZZETTO, in Italian), but it shouldn’t be associated with a light broth (called Brodetto), or to a fish soup. While a fish soup or a light broth were born to be main course dishes made of different varieties of fish, the Guazzetto is a simple dish, prepared with the discards of the catch. Guazzetto comes from the word “guazzo”, a large amount of liquid spilled all over the ground. So, Guazzetto is like a sauce, a very fluid sauce to cook fish.
- MONTE SANTO PEAS: a unique local excellence, typical of the farmlands around the district of Montecanepino. Because of its biodiversity value, it was decided to obtain recognition for the genetical biodiversity of this seed. A related goal is the development of food and wine tourism through the appreciation of this local excellence.
Wines and Beverage
Wine
Potenza Picena develops events (such as the Grappolo D’oro Festival), projects and activities based on wine production. The area has benefited from this, in terms of improved quality of life, sustainable development and employment opportunities. Visit the local wineries to treat yourself with a taste of wine. It could be that you’ll be purchasing more than one bottle. The white wine Dei Colli Maceratesi Ribona has obtained the quality assurance label DOC (Denomination of Controlled Origin). Served chilled, it enhances the taste of raw shellfish, balancing the sweet tendency, and the taste of rice and soups seasoned with white sauces. The other renowned wine is the Rosso Piceno, a red wine that enhances the taste of cold cuts and meat dishes.
The extra virgin oil
The extra virgin oil made in Potenza Picena gives infinite nuances of taste to the palate. The olive tree is the distinctive feature of the countryside of Potenza Picena. Its cultivation relies on the expertise of the local farmers: they have been celebrating for centuries extra virgin olive oils with a refined and unique flavour. In addition to the most common varieties, such as Frantoio and Leccino, there are some other local varieties: Mignola, Raggia or Piantone of Mogliano. They perfectly match with the dishes of the culinary tradition of this territory.
Points of Interest
THE COAST
Porto Potenza Picena lies on a fascinating stretch of the Macerata Coastline, overlooking the Adriatic Sea. A sea that is witness to history, surrounded by suggestive villages, beautiful landscapes, marvellous architecture and ancient traditions. The sandy beaches are located far from the road, making a safe oasis for children, who can swim in shallow water. The seafront hosts many seafood restaurants, and it’s the perfect place to relax while listening to the calming sound of waves crashing.
This is the ideal for a relaxing sunny holiday, and to discover small and big wonders. The first one? It is the Square Tower, once used as sighting point to defend the town against the raids of pirates. Indeed, it was built in medieval times, for defensive purposes. At that time, the imposing building allowed sight of approaching enemy ships and to warn the population quickly. Nowadays, the tower offers a stunning view and it allows visitors to admire all the charm of this seaside resort from the top.
from the seafront come up to the Robert Baden Powell panoramic viewpoint. From there, you can admire the contrast between the blue sea and the golden sandy beaches. The historical district Le Casette is another gem of this seaside town, the most suggestive part of the residential area of Porto Potenza Picena. This district is made of small simple houses, that once belonged to the local families called Sciapecotti, a dialect name to refer to fishermen.
L’OASI DEI LAGHETTI
A cycle path connects the center of Porto Potenza with the Oasi dei Laghetti. This area is located close to the northern coastline and it includes a surrounding area of fauna and flora. The park is located in a former gravel pit. The surface is 64 hectares, of which 32 hectares are water. In addition, the oasis encloses a short sandy coastline, an important place for ducks (such as Moretta tabaccata) and coots: there, they can find a safe spot to rest or to overwinter.
VILLA BUONACCORSI
One of the precious gems of this territory, it presents one of the most fascinating eighteenth-century Italian Style Gardens. It is divided into five terraces, connected by a central flight of steps and surrounded by a thick grove. The garden is full of fountains, water features, walkways, niches and magnificent statues. It has been included in the Italian Museums circuit.
IL CENTRO STORICO
Go and discover the historic center of ancient Monte Santo. Start from the Madonna della Neve Church, enter the town from Porta Marina, reach the Church of Saint Francis and refresh your spirit with a stop at the Donatori di Sangue “Pincio” panoramic view point. Turn your gaze to the Pyramid of Mayo which will tell you about the close relationship that binds Potenza Picena to Argentina. Continue until you reach Giacomo Matteotti square. The architectural beauty and the elegance of the palaces of the noble families will amaze you. Treat yourself to a visit to the Town Hall, which houses several masterpieces of art, and visit the Mugellini Theater too, among the 14 theaters in the Marche Region, which are candidates to become UNESCO heritage sites.
Also stop at the Ferdinando Scarfiotti Auditorium, which houses a great treasure: the organ built by Giovanni Fedeli. Have a walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele: reach the Church of Saint Catherine and the gorgeous Collegiate Church of Saint Stephen. End the tour in the old Jewish district, a place steeped in history and mystery.
San Benedetto del Tronto
Overview
San Benedetto del Tronto is one of the main holiday resorts of the southern Marche and, with over seven thousand palm trees on its wide promenade, it has a touch of tropical charm. It is also called Riviera delle Palme, a term that was later extended to the neighboring resorts.
It boasts the Blue Flag label because of its wide sandy beaches, safety and other services.
The promenade is characterized by eight thousand palm trees and by numerous relaxation areas, games for children and thematic gardens: arid garden, wet garden, palm garden, rose garden, Mediterranean scrub garden.
Food
The most typical dish of San Benedetto del Tronto is the “brodetto alla sanbenedettese”, a fish soup with the addition of peppers and vinegar. Many ingredients are used to prepare it: extra virgin olive oil, brown onions, a piece of chilli pepper, cuttlefish, squid, white wine, green tomatoes, large chopped pieces of green and red pepper. Further types of fish are included, like dogfish, toad, mazzoline, scorpion fish, ray and mantis shrimp. Fish is cooked at low heat, with the pot covered for a few minutes; top quality white wine vinegar is added before serving. It is good to serve accompanied with toasted bread.
Another specialty famous worldwide is the Oliva Ascolana of Piceno D.O.P, that is quite large, with a uniform color, from green to straw yellow; it is crunchy, easy to digest and is considered as the best green table olive in the world. Some illustrious men like Plinio appreciated its quality in brine; Pope Sixtus V, Garibaldi, Rossini, Puccini also showed their appreciation for this product. Recognized as DOP (protected source status) in 2005, these typical olives are the main ingredient of the Ascolane Olives recipe: stuffed with a tasty meat-based filling and breaded before being deep fried, they are excellent as an appetizer, or as an aperitif, served both hot and cold.
Wine and beverage
There are numerous wines produced in the rich surrounding hinterland to accompany the delicacies of the Riviera. An agile and non-trivial wine, rich in fresh broom fragrances is the Passerina di Offida DOCG, which goes very well with light first courses and soups, as well as fish dishes. A wine made exclusively from grapes of the Passerina variety, indigenous to the Marche region, it has a beautiful pale straw yellow colour. The aromas are typical of tropical fruit and green apple, while the floral ones recall acacia and broom. It is a wine to be enjoyed young if possible, to appreciate all its freshness and versatility in combinations.
In shades of coriander flower, Pecorino di Offida DOCG is produced in the hills surrounding Ascoli Piceno and pairs perfectly with fish, shellfish and crustacean dishes. It is also perfect with white meats and medium-aged cheeses. It has a beautiful golden yellow colour, with slight greenish reflections and interesting balsamic notes of aromatic herbs and ripe yellow fruit and citrus fruits, which are released as soon as you approach the nose. The result is an intense and persistent taste, fresh and balancedly savoury.
Among the reds, the Rosso Piceno DOC Superiore is a must, recalling the aromas of violets. It goes perfectly with roast meats, moderately spicy dishes and, of course, with strong-tasting cheeses. It is produced in particular from Montepulciano and Sangiovese vines and is characterised by a beautiful, lively ruby red colour with light violet veins. It presents itself on the nose with interesting notes of sweet spices and red fruit, scents and aromas that are easily found in the mouth with breadth and elegance.
Points of interest
San Benedetto del Tronto has always been closely linked to the sea and the maritime tradition. The Sea Museum includes the Maritime Museum of the Marche, the Amphora Museum, the Fish Museum and the Antiquarium Truentinum. The Pinacoteca of the Sea, established in April 2009, although located in the heart of the old town, is an integral part of the museum center dedicated to the sea set up at the Fish Market. The Museum of Art on the Sea, a permanent open-air museum, which develops alongside the entire south pier and houses 145 artworks, including 135 sculptures and 10 large murals, is worth a visit.
In the old town, at the foot of which the fishing village has developed starting from the eighteenth century, you can admire the fourteenth-century hexagonal Gualtieri Tower, which marks the hours of the day through its ancient clock, the symbol of the city. The must see attractions are: the Madonna of Santissimo Sacramento Sanctuary, the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Marina, the Church of San Giuseppe, the Vescovado, the Concordia Theathre, and the Lighthouse.
The promenade is equipped with lush gardens, a pine forest, tennis courts, an ice rink and Palazzina Azzurra, an historic Palace next to Albula stream. San Benedetto del Tronto’s beaches are suitable for children beacuse of fine sand: children can actually build sand castles and digg holes, swim safely because of shallow water.
The “Giardino Zio Marcello”, just in front of the free beach, is a large green area where children can easily play. A wide cycle path runs continuously along the beach for over 15 km until Cupra Marittima. To the south, the track reaches Via del Mare in Porto d’Ascoli. The town also boasts a beautiful marina, a fishing port and a wholesale fish market, one of Italy’s most important fish markets.
North of the mouth of the Tronto river is the Sentina Nature Reserve, which is characterized not only by the migration of birds, but also by a stretch of sandy beach with an unique environment.
The most important events taking place throughout the year are: the “Antico e le Palme” exhibition-market, which attracts Italian and foreign antique dealers and collectors; the Madonna della Marina Festivity occuring the last Sunday of July, with a sea procession of fishing boats; the Libero Bizzarri Award, one of Italy’s most renowned competitions in the field of documentary cinemas; Anghiò, the International Blue Fish Festival.
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