Tirreno-Adriatico starts in Tuscany

The Tirreno-Adriatico will make its start in Tuscany for the first time in its 44-year history. The Italian stage race, March 11 to 17, typically starts in the Lazio region.

Race organiser RCS Sport will start the race in Tuscany to honour double World Champion Paolo Bettini. The retired cyclist is from La California, on the Tirreno Sea. The race will finish as normal in San Benedetto del Tronto, on the Adriatico Sea.

The race is considered a key warm up event for Milano-Sanremo, four days later. Swiss Fabian Cancellara won both events in 2008.