2022 Tirreno-Adriatico Race Preview
The details of this year's 2022 Tirreno-Adriatico are falling into place. Find the latest route profiles and maps below, followed by our strategic preview of the race.
The race rolls out once again across the beautiful Italian peninsula, connecting the Tyrrhenian coast to the shores of the Adriatic in what has become one of the most prestigious stage races on the WorldTour calendar. The 2022 edition promises to be a fascinating contest, offering something for every type of rider across its seven stages before the traditional individual time trial finale in San Benedetto del Tronto.
Tadej Pogacar arrives as the overwhelming favourite and the man everyone will be watching. The Slovenian phenomenon, already a two-time Tour de France champion, has made it clear that he intends to use this race as preparation for his spring campaign, and given the terrifying form he has shown in recent seasons, few would bet against him adding another prestigious title to his palate. UAE Team Emirates will build their race entirely around their young star, and he has the climbing ability, the time trialling strength, and the tactical awareness to dominate proceedings from start to finish.
Mathieu van der Poel makes a welcome return to the race and will be eager to make his mark on the harder stages before targeting Milan-San Remo and the spring classics. The Dutchman is a constant source of excitement and unpredictability, and his presence alone raises the entertainment value considerably.
Jonas Vingegaard represents a genuine challenge from the Jumbo-Visma camp, with the young Dane having announced himself as a serious grand tour contender at the previous year's Tour de France. He has the climbing legs to stay with Pogacar on the harder days and could be a dangerous rival if the race comes down to small margins.
The climber's stages in the middle of the race, particularly those crossing the Apennines, will likely prove decisive in the general classification battle. Wind and rain are always potential factors at this time of year, and crosswinds on the flatter stages could cause dangerous splits in the peloton that shake up the overall standings before the mountains even arrive.
Simon Yates brings local knowledge and motivation as a rider who has always felt comfortable on Italian roads, and the British climber will be looking for a strong result to kick off his season. Primoz Roglic, should he be fully recovered from his injuries, is another name capable of mixing it with the very best, though his participation and condition will be worth monitoring closely in the days before the race begins.
The sprinters will have their opportunities on the opening stages, and names like Caleb Ewan and Wout van Aert will be desperate to take victories where the terrain allows, knowing the race will slip away from them once the roads tip upward in earnest.
All roads ultimately lead to San Benedetto del Tronto and the time trial that closes proceedings, a discipline that could either confirm the overall winner or provide one last twist if the gaps going into the final day are close enough to make the race interesting. With Pogacar likely to be the man to beat throughout, the real question may be whether anyone can get close enough to him to make that concluding effort matter.
Get our full coverage of the Tirreno-Adriatico and every race we cover with our mobile app! The apps have over 100 additional exclusive features, including our award-winning Time Machine feature that lets you pause/rewind/replay the entire app to sync with delayed race video, integrated Fantasy Cycling, push notifications, an integrated news feed, live GPS tracking, world-class commentary, and our animated interactive maps and profiles.
