With an average speed of 58.329kph, a new TTT race record, Damiano Caruso is the first Maglia Azzurra.
Lido di Camaiore, 8 March 2017 – BMC Racing Team won the first stage of the 52nd edition of the Race of the Two Seas, a 22.7km Team Time Trial, ahead of Quick-Step Floors and FDJ, at the record average speed of 58.329kph (breaking their own previous record of 56.947kph set last year). The Italian rider Damiano Caruso is the first leader of the GC and was awarded the Maglia Azzurra, by NamedSport.
STAGE RESULT
1 – BMC Racing Team 22.7km in 23’21”, average speed 58.329kph
2 – Quick-Step Floors at 16″
3 – Movistar Team at 21″
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 – Damiano Caruso (BMC Racing Team)
2 – Rohan Dennis (BMC Racing Team) s.t.
3 – Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing Team) s.t.
JERSEYS
Maglia Azzurra (blue), general classification leader, sponsored by NamedSport – Damiano Caruso (BMC Racing Team)
Maglia Bianca (white), young rider general classification leader, sponsored by Selle Italia – Stefan Kung (BMC Racing Team)
Maglia Rossa (red), sprinter classification leader, sponsored by FSA – not assigned
Maglia Verde (green), King of the Mountains classification leader, sponsored by Snello Rovagnati – not assigned
Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the first Maglia Azzurra winner, Damiano Caruso, said: “Most of us are time trial specialists. We won like last year but faster than last year because we have two new riders in the team, Stefan Kung and Rohan Dennis who are really fast against the clock. They have made that difference today compared to last year. Maybe the weather conditions have also helped for a faster time. At the end I was first on the line, which enables me to wear the leader’s jersey – it’s a great honour. Racing at home in Italy with that jersey will be special. We’ll see how far I can go with it. We’re also racing for our leader Tejay van Garderen.”
Press conference interviews and further details to follow.
TOMORROW’S STAGE
Stage 2 – Camaiore – Pomarance, 229km
Start Meeting Point: Camaiore, Piazza San Bernardino
Sign-on procedures: 09.05 – 10.20
Alignment: 10.25
Start – KM 0: 10.30 (transfer 2,000m)
Finish: Via della Costituzione, Pomarance – 16.15 Approx.
Race Headquarter: Spazio Savioli, Piazza Costituzione, Pomarance
ROUTE
This stage is wavy and undulating, especially in the second part, and features an uphill finish that might make it suitable for finisseurs. After the start in Camaiore, the route reaches the seafront at the Lido, and then heads south towards Viareggio and Pisa, on flat roads. Gentle slopes begin while approaching Collesalvetti. The route becomes technically demanding after the feed zone, located between San Martino and Casino di Terra, running up towards Canneto. The first categorized climb of the Race of the Two Seas will be in Serrazzano. After reaching Pomarance the first time, the route follows an almost complete circle on its way to Saline di Volterra, taking in two quite steep categorised climbs in Volterra and Montecatini Val di Cecina and, eventually, leads to the final climb (approx 12km, with mild average gradients).
Final kilometres
Just past Saline di Volterra, the route starts to go up towards Cerreto, on a long and very uneven climb, with slopes beyond 10-12% alternating with gradients of 2-3%. At the last gentle bend, the final part of the route is uncomplicated, on 7m wide, asphalt road.
DOWNLOAD
Tirreno-Adriatico NamedSport 2017 Road book
Tirreno-Adriatico NamedSport 2017 Maps
Photo credits: LaPresse – D’Alberto / Ferrari
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