Bahrain Victorious eagerly anticipates a week of intense racing, where they will take on two prestigious WorldTour stage races. With Paris-Nice already underway, the team is poised to tackle the Tirreno-Adriatico, from March 4th to March 10th on the Italian roads.
Known as the “Race of the Two Seas,” Tirreno-Adriatico spans the diverse landscapes of Italian regions, from the Tyrrhenian to the Adriatic Sea. The race opens with the traditional time trial in Lido di Camaiore, tailor-made for specialists, and poised to set the tone for the week ahead, with every second crucial in the battle for the coveted Trident trophy.
The flat 10km TT, is followed by stages designed to test the mettle of both sprinters and climbers. The traditional sprint stage from Camaiore to Follonica sets the stage for a bunch sprint, while the following day’s route from Volterra to Gualdo Tadino, spanning 220km, offers opportunities for daring attackers with its undulating terrain and uphill finish.
The excitement continues with stages featuring challenging climbs, including the wavy course around Siena and a mountainous spectacle in Torricella Sicura-Valle Castellana. However, the real battleground for the GC is expected on the penultimate day during the queen stage, Sasso Ferrato-Monte Petrano, which promises a mountainous showdown with demanding climbs.
Bahrain Victorious, approaches the race with a lineup to tackle the diverse terrain, led by the time trial specialist Antonio Tiberi, supported by road captain Damiano Caruso and climbing star Wout Poels, with the aim to make a significant impact on the GC. Phil Bauhaus, a proven sprinter with a previous Tirreno-Adriatico victory, leads the charge on sprint stages, supported by Nikias Arndt and Andrea Pasqualon for the lead-out. Moreover, helpful and strong support will be as always offered by Yukiya Arashiro.
Gorazd Stangelj, TBV Sports Director, acknowledges the significance of the opening time trial, recognizing its potential to influence the overall standings, and remarks, “The General Classification will likely unfold on the penultimate day, but the opening time trial could set the tone. Our team is well-equipped for the challenges, with an eye on both GC and sprint victories. The bonus seconds will play a crucial role, and we are prepared to seize every opportunity.”
