Tirreno–Adriatico, the “Race of the Two Seas”, is an elite cycle race following a route between the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coasts of Italy. Traditionally held in early season, it is considered important preparation for the Milan – San Remo classic race. From 2005 to 2007, it was part of the UCI ProTour calendar, and although it was reclassified in 2008 as a UCI Europe Tour event, when organiser RCS withdrew all their events from the UCI’s premier calendar, it became part of the UCI World Ranking calendar the following year.
First held in 1966, the first edition consisted in 3 stages, which became 5 from the second edition to 1984. Since 1984 the race consisted in 6, 7 or 8 stages; however since 2002 has always been a 7-days race. Since the second edition the race has always ended in San Benedetto del Tronto.
Having won six consecutive editions (1972–77), Roger De Vlaeminck holds the record of most wins. It’s one of the few cycling races that Eddy Merckx has never won. The closest thing I could find to an American winning the Tirreno-Adriatico is Norwegian Knut Knudson winning the event in 1979. So there’s that.
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