44th Tirreno-Adriatico (2009) March 11-17th

« Tirreno-Adriatico 2009 Live Dashboard

Stage 1:  Cecina - Capannori, 147km  Full Results and Report

Does Tom Boonen look like he is going to have an off day? Eurosport says he was dropped on the little climb 16k from the line.	Lots of big names including L-R Gilberto Simoni, Ivan Basso and George Hincapie at this year's T-A, but a break off lesser knowns was allowed to succced...	Julien El Fares (Fra) Cofidis jumped early with 200m to go and held off his break companion, Vladimir Duma (Ukr) Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce
El Fares who is 14 years younger than his breakmate, Duma, captures his first win as a professional	The winner of the field sprint for third, Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas, told RAI post race, "Today was my chance and it was a shame to throw it away,"	Julien El Fares gets his first kiss today as well

Stage 2:  Volterra - Marina di Carrara, 177km  Full Results and Report

Alessandro Petacchi (LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini) before the start	The big field (199 riders) on the narrow, twisty Tuscan roads might have been a factor in the day's crashes	Speaking of crashes. Can you guess which riders ended up on the deck after this photo was taken?
The peloton rolling through the Tuscan hills on its way to the finish in Marina di Carrara	The LPR leadout man celebrates as his team captain finishes off a great team effort	Alessandro Petacchi (LPR Brakes) winds up his victory salute with 2nd place Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas tucked in behind.
More celebration

Stage 3:  Fucecchio - Santa Croce sull'Arno, 166km  Full Results and Report

Many classics specialists, like Alessandro Ballan, are using Tirreno-Adriatico as training for the upcoming Milan-San Remo	It looked like Mark Cavendish had the win, but Garmin's Tyler Farrar drafted effectively before bolting up the outside	Tyler Farrar throws his bike ahead of a who's who list of the world's best sprinters including L-R: Boonen, Hushovd, McEwen, Petacchi (behind McEwen), Cavendish and O'Grady (right)
An emphatic victory salute

Stage 4:  Foligno - Montelupone, 171km  Full Results and Report

Gilberto Simoni was a domestique today for his teammates (Michele Scarponi and Davide Rebellin) leading the peloton up and over Montelupone on lap 1	Just like last year, Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) used both 21% sections to separate himself from his contenders on the second lap	Davide Rebellin (Ita) of Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli etc... was 2nd
Eight seconds further back were 3rd Thomas Lovkvist (Swe) of Columbia-Highroad and 4th Danilo Di Luca (Ita) of LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini	Not sure why but many didn't think he would repeat	Joaquim Rodriguez's victory salute

Stage 5:  Loreto - Macerata (ITT), 30km  Full Results and Report

1st Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 41.32 (43.339 km/h)	2nd Stijn Devolder (Bel) Quick Step @ 0.20	3rd Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Columbia-Highroad @ 0.21 and now 2nd on GC @ 0.06
4th Michele Scarponi (Ita) Serramenti PVC @ 0.21 for both the stage and GC	Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone had good TT and is now 4th on GC @ 0.21	Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana. The new race leader.

Stage 6:  Civitanova Marche - Camerino, 235km  Full Results and Report

With the remnants of an early break up the road, Michele Scarponi of Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni makes his move on the cat 1 Sasso Tetto at km 192 of a very long stage. Danilo di Luca attempts to join him.	Liquigas riders Vincenzo Nibali and Ivan Basso chase Scarponi with Acqua & Sapone's Stefano Garzelli (in back) about to join in.	The race has shattered, but #1 (Andreas Klöden, right ) and #2 (Thomas Lövkvist, center) on GC have been left behind on Sasso Tetto. Danilo di Luca has fallen back after chasing Scarponi.
After a tricky descent, Garzelli, Basso and Scarponi have caught Euskaltel-Euskadi's Egoi Martinez, the last man in an early break	Ivan Basso launches an attack at the base of the 4k climb to the finish in Camerino.	The lead group rounds a corner and hits the 12% grade just before the finish
Riding into the spotlight: 1st Michele Scarponi (Ita) Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni in 6.36.12, 2nd Stefano Garzelli and 3rd Ivan Basso	Michele Scarponi wins the stage in his home region and takes over the GC with one ceremonial stage left. Not a bad result after sitting out a two-year suspension.

Stage 7:  San Benedetto del Tronto, 169km  Full Results and Report

Smiles around for the Pro Continental Team that's about to win a 2HC race. L-to-R: The Diquigiovanni Team Manager, Gilberto Simoni and Michele Scarponi	After two years out of the sport, things are looking bright again for Michele Scarponi	Team Serramenti Pvc Diquigiovanni/Androni Giocattoli etc... leads the peloton around San Benedetto del Tronto during the ceremonial final stage
As expected, a sprint finish ended the last stage. Mark Cavendish crosses first literally in front of 2nd place Tyler Farrar	Make some noise	Cav on the podium
The GC Podium L-to-R: 2nd Stefano Garzelli, 1st Michele Scarponi and 3rd Andreas Kloeden