Tirreno-Adriatico Stage Race Starts on March 10

The Tirreno-Adriatico stage race starts on March 10 in Livorno, Italy. The 148 kilometer first stage features some rolling hills ending with a long straight run into the center of Rosignano Solvay. Lining up on Wednesday, will be two Canadians: Ryder Hesjedal racing for Team Garmin-Transitions and Michael Barry racing for Team Sky.

Hesjedal is coming off a strong 5th place result in this past weekend’s Monte Paschi Strade Bianche. This will be the third time Hesjedal has raced in Tirreno-Adriatico. As the sole general classification Team Garmin-Transitions rider, he and the team are aiming to his improve upon his 8th place overall finishes in 2008 and 2009.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, Hesjedal shared some thoughts on the race, “Right now the weather is really bad and it’s expected to be the same the next couple days so we will see how much of a factor that is. The field here is very strong and with no time trial, the decisive days will be more critical to the overall general classification.”

Racing for the newly-formed Team Sky, Barry is focused on working for his teammates and getting them onto the top podium spot in this seven stage event. Barry reiterates Hesjedal’s thoughts on the race, saying that the strength of the field combined with the long stages, will make this a challenging race.

About his transition to Team Sky, Barry says it has gone very well, “my expectations were high. We have a really good group of guys who have fun together which makes all the difference. I believe that I can progress with Team Sky and the team philosophy is one that I agree with.”