The Tirreno Adriatico is an important, week long cycling event, which tours the wonderful Le Marche region every March. This is my second year as a spectator, but living in cycling distance of most of the stages, and the wonderful weather makes this especially enjoyable. The overall winner this year was Fabian Cancellara of Team CSC, but I was there to  cheer on Mark Cavendish and Roger Hammond. Mark took a fine 3rd in the last stage of the race, in front of some of the best sprinters like Petacchi, Zabul, Boonen and Hondo.


In the attractive town of Servigliano, my sister and I sat with the locals outside a cafe at the stone archway to the historic central square. We were enjoying a delicious ice cream when what looked to be a Skoda owner's club arrived. The cars, belonging to the teams and officials, all had to quickly pass through the narrow streets and right angled bends, before the cyclists caught them up!  The final km of this stage, near Civitanova, is so steep that most of the competitors have to get of and push their bikes!


The Time Trial part is over 26km, from the charming town of Macerata, famous for its Opera House, to Recanati. As there are no security fences around the riders, Macerata is a good place to see your heros line up for the start. The riders are happy to talk and pose for photo's, so it is great for autograph hunters. Poalo Bettini is a big favorite here, he shared several jokes with the crowd as he waited his turn. The winner of the trial was Fabian Cancellara sealing his overall victory.


The 7th, and last stage, is from San Benedetto, a popular seaside resort, out through the rolling countryside, then returning to San Benedetto for a race of 5 x 10km circuits of the seafront and harbour.  On the first lap two riders from the Euskatel team broke away  gaining two minutes on the groupetto, who did not seem too worried. At three laps to go, it started drizzling - blue skies and dry roads can get a bit boring! - with the peleton finally taking flight. As the road got wetter there were several crashes, splitting the race into smaller groups. The first, with all the sprinters, including Mark Cavendish, caught the two escaped riders, who had put up a good effort. At the finish it came to a group sprint, with Francesco Chicci first, Danilo Napolitano second and Mark third ahead of Robbie McEwen.


This is just one of the many local events, at all levels. If you fancy taking part or just being a spectator, you will be made very welcome in Le Marche.

My name is Roy Aitken and I moved from Macclesfield in Cheshire, to the Le Marche region of Italy in 2006. Le Marche is a cycling treasure and around Castelfiorito, where I live, there is a maze of "white", gravel roads, through the forests to explore, easy access to the network of marked mountain trails in the Sibillini and Gran Sasso national  parks, as well as excellent quiet roads for cycling.


Stop press
The 2010 Junior world cycling championships are being held here in Offida. Marche Apartments will be providing an apartment free of charge to a competitor and family over the week of the race. The details will be posted on this website .................  keep checking!!