Upcoming: 42nd Tirreno-Adriatico, March 12-18

The Italian stage race Tirreno-Adriatico commences on Wednesday, marking the build up to the year's first Classic, Milan San-Remo. A prestigious event, TA has been won by many great pros in its 41 year legacy, including Davide Rebellin, Oscar Friere, Abraham Olano, Francesco Casagrande, Tony Rominger, and Michele Bartoli. Roger de Vlaeminck, the rugged Belgian, took the event a record six times, all in a row, from 1972 through 1977.

Roger de Vlaeminck took Tirreno-Adriatico a record six times, and all in a row

When examining the variety of riders that have won Tirreno-Adriatico, you realize that the race can be won by almost any type of rider. Rebellin and Friere are great sprinters who can climb well enough, Rominger and Casagrande were both climbers, stage race guys, while Olano and de Vlaeminck were big engines with tremendous power. Last year's winner, Andreas Kloden, won't defend his title as the Astana team hasn't been invited to Tirreno-Adriatico or any other race organized by RCS Sport.

Tirreno-Adriatico: Touring old Italy on two wheels

The route for the 42nd edition is one built for the all-arounder. Stage one is for the sprinters, as it finishes flat after some climbing in the town of Civitavecchia. Danilo Hondo will be eager to try to get the win and the event's first leader's jersey after two years on suspension. But there will be stiff competition in Hondo's way, as big guns Tom Boonen, Paolo Bettini, "Ale-Jet" Allessandro Petacchi, Robbie McEwin, Oscar friere, Mark Cavendish, Baden Cooke, and Luca Pagliarini all will be on hand to compete. In fact, TA will have the best contingent of sprinting talent thus far in 2008, which should make for great, animated riding.

"The Cobra" winning at last year's Tirreno Adriatico

Stage five, a 26 kilometer time trial, marks the event as the winner will no doubt be someone who can put up a strong race against the clock. Look for world time trial champion Fabian Cancellera and Belgian champion Stijn Devolder to have a decent ride, as well as Vladimir Karpets of Caisse d'Epargne, Gerolsteiner's Sebastian Lang, and Slipstream's David Zabriskie. Finally, watch out for "il falco" Paolo Salvodelli, who now rides for the continental team LPR. A wily veteran with a big engine, Salvodelli will be keen to show himself ahead of the upcoming Giro d'Italia, which could be the last for the old pro.

Karpets is a good time trialist and climber, perfect for the overall title

For the climbers, three of the stages feature punchy little climbs at the finish. Stage two into Gubbio will give the climbers a chance to show themselves. The "Cobra," Riccardo Ricco always tends to use Tirreno-Adriatico as a launch pad for his season, and Andy Schleck, the younger of the two Schlecks, will be ramping up for the upcoming Giro. Stage three finishes with a nice little incline as well, which may give German champ Fabian Wegmann or "pippo" Pozzato, both riders with nice bursts on short climbs, a chance for a win. Again a stage finishes with a climb for stage six, as the field will ascend a stiff climb in the town of Castelfidardo five times. Franco Pellizotti could try his hand in stage six, as could big George Hincapie of the High Road team.

Fabian Wegmann will hope for better luck in Italy after falling ill in California

Tirreno-Adriatico should be an exciting race with fast finishes and intense competition. The last stage race before Milan-San Remo, TA will allow the sprinter's teams one more week to get things straight ahead of the meat of the Classics season. Meanwhile, the stage racers and climbers will be looking to perfect their form ahead of the Wallonian Classics and the Giro. Expect most of cycling's heads of state to be at the front of the peloton at some point during the race, with the victor having to fight all the way through to the final stage into San Banedetto del Tronto for the overall win.