At first glance it might look like a Tirreno-Adriatico stage: the 159-kilometre San Benedetto del Tronto – Chieti will be a crucial test for the athletes competing on the Giro d’Italia Women 2024. Although no super steep climbs will be tackled, the racecourse will be anything but simple, featuring hardly any flat ground to play with.

The first wall will be tackled after 12 km: 2 km at 9% towards Torano Nuovo, while between km 30 and 40 the road will constantly rise towards Campli. The first categorised KOM is the climb of Cermignano (9.5 km at 4%), about 80 km from the finish, which will be followed by the KOM of Penne (6.8 km at 4.3%).

However, the stage will more than likely be decided in the finale, climbing towards Chieti: the first 3.3 km will rise at an average gradient of 7.9%, while the final 1500 leading to the finish banner of Corso Marrucino are on false-flat.

San Benedetto del Tronto is located along the Adriatic coastline and is known for its lovely fine sandy beaches and promenade lined with lush palm trees.

The town offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition, with a charming historic centre full of restaurants and shops and its distinctive fishing port, vital for the vibrant local economy and one of the most important in Italy.

From the sea to the hills. Chieti is nestled in the hills of central Abruzzo. Founded by the Marrucini and known by the Romans as Teate Marrucinorum, the town preserves a rich archaeological heritage. Strolling through its streets, visitors can admire the majestic Cathedral of San Giustino, explore the wonders of the National Archaeological Museum of Abruzzo and attend shows in the suggestive Marrucino Theatre. Chieti, lively and dynamic thanks to the presence of the Gabriele d’Annunzio University, is also famous for its exciting Good Friday procession.

It is no coincidence that we mentioned that this could very well be a stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico. San Benedetto del Tronto has been the traditional finish of the Race of the Two Seas since the first edition in 1967, while Chieti has hosted a stage finish of the race for four consecutive years, from 2010 to 2013, with victories for Michele Scarponi (x2), Joaquim Rodriguez and Peter Sagan.