The 61st edition of the Tirreno Adriatico Crédit Agricole was presented today at the Parliamentino of Palazzo Li Madou in Ancona, headquarters of the Marche Region, scheduled from March 9 to 15.

The Race of the Two Seas will cross five regions with a varied route that will offer opportunities for every type of rider: from the individual time trial in Lido di Camaiore, which will traditionally open the hunt for the Maglia Azzurra, to the final stage in San Benedetto del Tronto, where the Trident of Neptune will be raised to the sky.

Abandoning the mountain top finish that characterized recent editions, the route remains full of challenges, such as the gravel section closing the San Gimignano stage and the numerous walls in the Marche stages that will likely definitively shape the general classification.

Total elevation gain increases: 15,550 meters overall, compared to 14,400 in the 2025 edition.

STATEMENTS

Francesco Acquaroli, President of the Marche Region:

“Tirreno-Adriatico is one of the most important and well-known sporting events not only in Italy but worldwide. The Race of the Two Seas has for many years been capable of engaging territories, local administrations, and fans, becoming an extraordinary tool for the promotion and enhancement of our Region. Sport is a fundamental vehicle on many levels, from social cohesion to education, up to the contribution it offers to new generations. Moreover, high-level competition allows us to showcase our beauty to millions of fans around the world. Cycling is one of the most followed disciplines globally, and Tirreno-Adriatico is one of those races that manages to connect people and territories on an international scale. For us, it's a source of pride and honor to see our roads, villages, and landscapes crossed by a competition of such prestige: mayors and local communities experience this event with great participation.”

Stefano Allocchio, Race Director, RCS Sport:

“The route of the 61st Tirreno-Adriatico stems from the desire to return to the tradition of this race, which over the years has always been extremely selective even without summit finishes. We've designed a tough course, with stages exceeding 3,500–4,000 meters of elevation gain, requiring great all-around ability. In this sense, the Marche Region once again represents a central element of the Race of the Two Seas, offering an ideal setting for the decisive stages of the race. We expect world-class participation, in line with the history of a race that has become hunting ground for riders who are protagonists on the most prestigious stages of the season, both in the Classics and the Grand Tours.”

Tiziano Consoli, Sports Councillor of the Marche Region:

“With pride, we set out on the road toward the 61st edition of Tirreno-Adriatico. For the Marche, it's not just a world-class competition, but a ritual that since 1966 has united sport, territory and beauty. In 2026 as well, the Race of the Two Seas will be one of the five pillars of the WorldTour in Italy organized by RCS Sport, together with the great Classics and the Giro d’Italia, confirming the Marche as a central stage of international cycling. I thank RCS Sport for its constant trust in our Region, also demonstrated in 2025—an extraordinary year that saw the Marche in the spotlight with Tirreno-Adriatico, the men’s Giro d’Italia, Giro d’Italia Women and Giro-E. In 2026 we are relaunching with determination: in addition to the Race of the Two Seas, on May 16 we'll host the finish of the Chieti–Fermo stage of the Giro d’Italia. But the true strength of Tirreno-Adriatico lies above all in its ability to tell the story of the Marche to the world, thanks to media coverage capable of reaching millions of viewers.”

Luca Mecchi, Sports Councillor of the Municipality of Camaiore:

“The marriage between Camaiore and the Race of the Two Seas is a consolidated union; it's now been ten years that this wonderful race has started from our Municipality, a two-day cycling celebration that makes us the capital of cycling. On the first day, the time trial enhances the seafront of our Versilia, while on the second day the start will take place from Camaiore’s historic center. Tirreno-Adriatico is a race with worldwide visibility that has brought the strongest riders in the world onto our roads—Roglič, Vingegaard, Pogačar, Ganna. For us, it's an honor to host this great competition once again.”

Roberto Pella, President of the Professional Cycling League:

“Tirreno-Adriatico has always been a fundamental proving ground that highlights riders aiming for the great stage races. At the same time, it represents a key step for Classics specialists, in view of Milano–Sanremo, and for those preparing the Giro d’Italia. We're talking about a UCI WorldTour-level race, capable of attracting the best riders and the most important teams in the world—an asset for Italy, which boasts 18 races among the world’s top 100. The Marche Region will be at the heart of a fascinating route starting from Tuscany, confirming how cycling is a sport capable of enhancing territories and uniting citizens in healthy, shared support. Thanks and congratulations to RCS Sport and President Urbano Cairo, who continue to create events among the most beautiful and appreciated on the global sporting scene.”

Andrea Tonti:

“It will be a Tirreno-Adriatico different from usual, without a summit finish but with very technical and selective stages. We're talking about 1000 meters of elevation gain over seven days of racing, a figure not to be underestimated. The Marche should be the stage for the decisive fractions for the general classification, with stages five and six featuring two very demanding final circuits. I expect the presence of many champions for a very hard-fought race.”

Lorenzo Milani, Head of Regional Management Romagna–Marche, Crédit Agricole Italia:

“We are proud to stand alongside RCS Sport’s cycling project; Tirreno-Adriatico, in particular, represents more than a race for us—it's a thread that metaphorically links Central Italy, showing international audiences magnificent landscapes and increasing the economic value of this land.”

NUMBERS AND STATISTICS

Lido di Camaiore hosts a Tirreno-Adriatico stage finish for the 12th time: in all cases, it's the opening stage.

Winners in Lido di Camaiore over the past decade: Pascal Ackermann (2020), Wout Van Aert (2021), Filippo Ganna (2022, 2023, 2025), Juan Ayuso (2024).

Four first-time stage finishes in this edition: San Gimignano, Magliano de’ Marsi, Martinsicuro, and Mombaroccio.

72nd stage finish in San Benedetto del Tronto, the final destination for the 60th time out of 61 (the only exception being the first edition in 1966, which concluded with San Benedetto del Tronto–Pescara).

The Marche Region holds the record for Tirreno-Adriatico stage finishes; with this year’s stages, the total rises to 186. Lazio follows with 70, Abruzzo with 64. Tuscany is fourth, reaching the milestone of 50 stages this year.

PARTNERS

White Jersey and Title Sponsor: Crédit Agricole; Blue Jersey and Official Sponsor: Socage; Green Jersey and Official Green Carrier: Trenitalia; Cyclamen Jersey and Institutional Partner: Opportunitaly; Official Tyre: Continental; Official Timekeeper: Tudor; Official Sponsors: Sportful, Kometa, Valsir; Official Partners: Regina, Shimano; Official Weather: 3B Meteo; Official Water: Lauretana.

ROUTE

STAGE 1 – LIDO DI CAMAIORE–LIDO DI CAMAIORE TUDOR ITT, 11.5 km

Perfectly flat individual time trial consisting of two almost straight sectors running out and back along the seafronts of Camaiore and Viareggio, with only a few connecting turns and the turnaround. U-turn at km 5.4 in Viareggio, where the intermediate time is taken. Straight return to Lido di Camaiore, where an S-bend leads into the final kilometer.

STAGE 2 – CAMAIORE–SAN GIMIGNANO, 206 km

A rolling and complex stage, especially in the second half. Starting from Camaiore and via Montemagno, the route reaches Pisa and then the Livorno area, leaving the coast near Cecina to head inland toward Pomarance. The climb via the Cerreto road features sections with double-digit gradients. The race continues with the climb of Castelnuovo Val di Cecina and a sequence of ups and downs leading to the 5.3 km of gravel roads on the outskirts of San Gimignano—mostly uphill, with some very steep sections. Finish in the town center with a final short ramp at 15% entering San Gimignano.

STAGE 3 – CORTONA–MAGLIANO DE’ MARSI, 225 km

A very long and slightly undulating stage, unfolding through a succession of gentle rises and falls, including Todi and the Marmore area. Fast finale, still slightly uphill over the final 15 km to the finishing straight (around 3%).

STAGE 4 – TAGLIACOZZO–MARTINSICURO, 210 km

Stage that begins by tackling two classic Apennine climbs, Ovindoli and Valico delle Capannelle. Long descent toward Teramo, followed by a finale made up of a sequence of steep walls and short climbs. The route ascends Castellalto (around 12% for long stretches), Mosciano Sant’Angelo, and, 12 km from the finish, the Tortoreto via Badetta wall, reaching 20% in the final section. Short descent, then about 8 km along the seafront to the finish.

STAGE 5 – MAROTTA–MONDOLFO–MOMBAROCCIO, 186 km

A very hilly stage dotted with numerous climbs of varying difficulty—at least ten, some classified as KOMs. From Marotta, the route passes through Mondolfo and then climbs the hills around the Metauro River, including Villa del Monte and Monterolo, before tackling Monte delle Cesane, whose opening kilometers reach around 15%. Passage through Saltara and Cartoceto leads to Mombaroccio and into the final 21.6 km circuit to be repeated twice. The circuit includes several rolling sections and the very tough climb to the Santuario del Beato Sante. The final crest comes 1,500 m from the finish, followed by a 300 m uphill drag to the line.

STAGE 6 – SAN SEVERINO MARCHE–CAMERINO, 189 km

A very hilly and demanding stage with numerous climbs, beginning around mid-course with the ascent of Sassotetto (Valico di Santa Maria Maddalena). The race then reaches Camerino, climbing from the eastern side of the city to enter the final 29.1 km circuit to be covered twice. The circuit is very tough, consisting of a series of rises and falls around Crispiero; after the turnaround in Castelraimondo, the road gradually climbs toward the final 3 km of the Madonna delle Carceri Wall, with gradients up to 18%. After the third ascent, the finish is located in the city center.

STAGE 7 – CIVITANOVA MARCHE–SAN BENEDETTO DEL TRONTO, 143 km

A lightly rolling stage in the first part and completely flat over the final 80 km. Start along the Adriatic coast, entering the Aso Valley from Pedaso and climbing to Montefiore dell’Aso. After a short descent, the route reaches Ripatransone with one last easy climb. Long descent to Grottammare before entering the approximately 15 km circuit to be repeated five times. The circuit runs mostly on straight, wide roads.