Tirreno - Adriatico (2014) Photos; Stage 0: Pre-Race Press Conference |
| return to: « Tirreno - Adriatico 2014 Dashboard | Tirreno - Adriatico (2014) photo gallery | Stage 01 photos » |
 |
A couple of serious Germans looking to get the pre-race press conference underway | share this photo |
|
 |
Alberto Contador trying not to notice the camera | share this photo |
 |
Richie Porte has just arrived from Paris-Nice. Actually, he was never there, but you know what I mean | share this photo |
 |
Fabian looking like the movie star he is. “I’m only thinking about Tirreno-Adriatico now: I’ll worry about Milano-Sanremo later. I’ll use this race to work for our leaders Kiserlowski and Arrendondo who are young. Next week it’s my birthday [18 March]. I hope to take something home at the end of this week in Italy: not just wine, but perhaps something with bubbles.” | share this photo |
 |
Alberto Contador always has a lot to contemplate | share this photo |
|
 |
Omega Pharma Quick Step has two of the rising GC stars in the sport, Rigoberto Uran and Michal Kwiatkowski: “Winning Strade Bianche hasn’t changed my plans. I always had Tirreno-Adriatico in mind as a very important race for me. I was fourth a year ago, and it was the first time I had done so well in a stage race, riding against the best in the world. We have a good team, and I think with Rigo we can really do well.” | share this photo |
 |
Rigoberto Urán (Omega Pharma - Quick Step): “Our team has two riders who can do well here, although it’s a very hard race, We have a good team for tomorrow’s Team TimeTrial, which could be good for us. Then, in the race for the overall, Kwaitek can ride well on the long climbs, and I’m in good form, so we’ll see.” | share this photo |
 |
Contador and Nairo Quintana | share this photo |
 |
Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team): “Tirreno-Adriatico is a good race for me to build rhythm, gain experience of racing in Italy, and get to know the roads in view of the Giro. But I’m not ruling out a good result: I have an good team, and, I hope to reach the climbs in a good position, and then do my best.” Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo Bank): “Tirreno-Adriatico is an important goal. Lots of riders are here to prepare for the Giro,I want the final result. I’ve had a good winter, my sensations are perhaps the best I’ve ever had at the start of a season, and I’ve come here to get a good result.” | share this photo |
|
 |
2011 winner of this race, Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team): “Compared with last year, there aren’t as many climbs, but they are a bit longer. I don’t know the climbs, but the steep climb at Guardiagrele comes at the end of a long stage, so it’ll be hard. And when you see the field we have here, there are plenty of top climbers here.” | share this photo |
 |
The sprinters press conference | share this photo |
 |
Mark Cavendish loves racing in his adopted region. “I’ve ridden Tirreno-Adriatico every year since 2008. I like it here. I have a place in Tuscany and in the last years, the race has started here. I know the roads, It’s a nice race. The style of racing in Italy is different from elsewhere. The classics riders on all the teams always want to come here, so we always have strong teams here.” | share this photo |
 |
Marcel Kittell (Giant-Shimano) has been the best sprinter so far this year coming into the race. “I’m happy to be here in Italy for my first Tirreno-Adriatico, I expect some nice sprints against Mark [Cavendish] and Andre [Greipel], and then we’ll see.” | share this photo |
|
 |
What Philippe Gilbert lacks in results lately, he makes up for in style. “We want to win this race with Cadel, Time bonuses could be important, so Cadel will try hard in every stage, hoping to take some seconds. If I can support him, I will. If I can go myself for a stage, I will. But Cadel is the most important thing. I’ll work for the team and use Tirreno-Adriatico to build my form for Milano-Sanremo.” | share this photo |
 |
Amongst a strong field of sprinters, Andre Greipel is taking this race very seriously. “This is my third Tirreno-Adriatico. I’ll try to win a stage here again. I have a really good team to support me in the sprints, and my condition is OK, so we’re going to try.” | share this photo |
 |
Peter Sagan (Cannondale): “It’s the third time I’ve done Tirreno-Adriatico. I like the race. The important period of my season starts at this race, and then at Milano-Sanremo. I’ll try and get a result, and win a point or two, but Tirreno is also good for my preparation… like every year.” | share this photo |
 |
... possibly hasn't shaken off his 2nd straight runner-up performance at Strade Bianche | share this photo |
|
 |
New Italian star on the rise, Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida): “Strangely, although I live in Donoratico, this is my first Tirreno-Adriatico. It’s new to me, but my expectations are high. I’m in a good moment of form. I hope to do well in a stage, and then, for the General Classification, we’ll see how the race matures.” | share this photo |
 |
Looks like Cavendish and Kittel have spent some time in the wind tunnel | share this photo |
 |
Some serious contenders for the GC battle | share this photo |
 |
The GC Photo Op has officially started | share this photo |
 |
Sprinters Photo-Op | share this photo |
 |
| share this photo |
Tirreno - Adriatico (2014) Photos; Stage 0: Pre-Race Press Conference |
| return to: « Tirreno - Adriatico 2014 Dashboard | Tirreno - Adriatico (2014) photo gallery | Stage 01 photos » |