Tirreno-Adriatico is the other preparation race before the first classic of the year, Milan-San Remo.

The first stage linked Cecina to Capannori over147 km of medium hilly roads, with the climb to Valgiano some 20 kilometres from the finish.

The race has been animated by the long breakaway of Ukrainian Vladimir Duma (Ceramica Flaminia) and France's Julien El Fares (Cofidis). They had up to 8' on the peloton, and they still had half this gap with 25 km to go.

Duma and El Fares climbed together to Valgiano, where they still had 2' on the peloton, which never caught them, Julien El Fares taking the stage ahead of Vladimir Duma, 3rd was Daniele Bennati (Liquigas), who won the sprint of the first pursuers. Robbie finished in a second group and was classified 49th.

El Fares is thus the first leader of Tirreno-Adriatico.

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