The road to the Spring Classics runs through Italy this week. Tirreno-Adriatico, the "Race of the Two Seas," kicks off today, bringing a stacked lineup of climbers, sprinters, and Classics contenders. For some, it's a warm-up. For others, it's a battleground. Watch the race live and on-demand on FloBikes, for our viewers in Canada.

All eyes are on Mathieu van der Poel. The reigning Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix champion is using Tirreno-Adriatico to fine-tune his legs ahead of the Monuments. He's not here just for training, though. When Van der Poel starts a race, he starts to win.

His biggest rival? Tom Pidcock, fresh off a jaw-dropping ride at Strade Bianche where he finished second. The British star has started 2025 in blazing form, collecting multiple wins. If anyone is going to test Van der Poel this week, it's him.

But Tirreno-Adriatico isn't just about the one-day specialists. The overall classification battle will be fierce, with Simon Yates and Adam Yates headlining the fight for the trident trophy. With UAE Team Emirates-XRG missing Tadej Pogačar, Adam Yates is stepping up as the team's GC leader. His brother Simon, now riding for Visma-Lease a Bike, is making his team debut and has the freedom to race for himself. It's a rare chance to see the Yates twins battling on different teams.

Mathieu Van der Poel Races to Sharpen for Sanremo

Mathieu van der Poel isn't hiding his ambitions. The Dutch superstar has three stage wins at Tirreno-Adriatico in his career, and he's hunting for more. Last week, he made a surprise appearance at Le Samyn, a race he didn't need to ride—but he did. And, of course, he won.

Why race? Because he wants to push his limits. "I need to go over the limit sometimes," he said ahead of Tirreno-Adriatico in an article with Het Nieuwsblad. "That's how I reach my best form for Milano-Sanremo."

His plan is simple. Race hard. Test his legs. Find his final percentages before taking on the Cipressa and Poggio on March 22. He's done this before—two years ago, he rode Tirreno-Adriatico as preparation and then won Milano-Sanremo in devastating style.

His form looks strong, but he's also cautious. "I know from experience not to waste too much energy here," he said. "But I won't just sit in the peloton, either."

Without Jasper Philipsen in the race, Van der Poel carries the full responsibility for Alpecin-Deceuninck. That means he'll have to pick his moments. The punchy finishes on stages 4 and 5 look like his best opportunities to go for a stage win.

Tom Pidcock Is Flying

The last time we saw Tom Pidcock, he was launching a solo attack at Strade Bianche. He didn't win—Pogačar was just too strong—but finishing second in Siena is no small feat. His early-season form is undeniable.

Now, he turns his attention to Tirreno-Adriatico. This race has a mix of terrain that suits him. Rolling hills. Punchy climbs. A bit of everything.

Pidcock's move to Q36.5 Pro Cycling has already paid off. He's been more aggressive, more confident. His team is built around him, and he's making the most of it. He won the overall at the AlUla Tour and added victories at Ruta del Sol.

He's a wildcard in this race. He won't challenge the pure climbers for GC, but he could steal a stage. And if he ends up head-to-head with Van der Poel? We could be in for a classic battle.

The Tirreno-Adriatico Fight for the Overall: Yates vs. Yates

With no Pogačar, Vingegaard, or Roglič in the race, the general classification is wide open.

Adam Yates enters as one of the top favorites. He's leading UAE Team Emirates-XRG, a team that has dominated 2025 so far. He's already won the Tour of Oman this year, proving his form is solid. The high mountains of Tirreno-Adriatico suit him, and without a dominant GC rider in the field, he'll be aiming for the top step.

His biggest rival might just be his twin brother, Simon Yates. Simon is making his Visma-Lease a Bike debut, and unlike in past years, he has the full backing of his team. With no Jonas Vingegaard here, he can race for himself. That means he'll be aggressive, looking to make a statement.

The battle between the Yates brothers will likely come down to the mountain stages, especially the summit finish in Frontignano on stage 6.

The Tirreno-Adriatico 2025 Stages

This year's race follows the same formula as recent editions, with a mix of time trials, sprint stages, and mountain days.

• Stage 1 (March 10): Lido di Camaiore ITT, 9.9km – A short time trial to kick things off. Expect specialists like Filippo Ganna to go all out.
• Stage 2 (March 11): Camaiore - Follonica, 189km – A stage for the sprinters. Jonathan Milan, Olav Kooij, and Paul Magnier will be the favorites.
• Stage 3 (March 12): Follonica - Colfiorito, 239km – A long, rolling stage that could favor a breakaway.
• Stage 4 (March 13): Norcia - Trasacco, 184km – A punchy stage with a hilly finish—this is a prime day for Van der Poel or Pidcock.
• Stage 5 (March 14): Ascoli Piceno - Pergola, 196km – Another tricky day, with rolling climbs that could suit attackers.
• Stage 6 (March 15): Cartoceto - Frontignano, 166km – The queen stage, featuring a summit finish. This is where the GC battle will explode.
• Stage 7 (March 16): San Benedetto del Tronto - San Benedetto del Tronto, 147km – A flat stage to close the race, likely ending in a sprint.

What to Watch For

This race is a crucial stepping stone toward the Monuments. Mathieu van der Poel will test his legs, knowing that Milano-Sanremo is just around the corner. Tom Pidcock is riding with confidence, eager to add another big result. And in the mountains, Adam and Simon Yates will fight for GC supremacy.

Will Van der Poel take a stage win? Will Pidcock prove he's more than just a one-day racer? And which Yates brother will come out on top?

The race starts today. The battle begins now.