Favorites for stage 6 of Tirreno-Adriatico 2025 | Can Pidcock challenge the unstoppable Ayuso after beating Pogacar?

After the grueling Tappa di Muri, Tirreno-Adriatico continues at full speed. Saturday brings a true summit finish where the general classification will be decided. With several thrilling stages behind us, multiple riders are eager to truly test their legs. Who will be the strongest on the climb to Frontignano? IDLProCycling.com tells you everything you need to know!

Course stage 6 Tirreno-Adriatico 2025

At first glance, the route may seem like a straightforward ride to the final climb, with only one categorized ascent along the way. But that couldn’t be further from the truth—this 163-kilometer stage packs in a staggering 3,500 meters of elevation gain. There are very few truly flat sections, and the constant rolling terrain will wear down the riders' legs long before they reach the final climb.

From the start in Cartoceto, the first 50 kilometers feature no fewer than five short, but steep hills. None of them offer KOM points, but they will make for an intense opening hour, especially if breakaway riders try to force an early move. After that, there's a brief moment to catch their breath before heading toward the Crispiero. This climb is 5.6 kilometers long at an average gradient of 5%, but there’s no real descent afterward—just a high-altitude plateau that never quite levels out.

From an intermediate sprint in Pieve Torina (30 kilometers before the finish), the road begins to climb toward Le Fornaci, the final uncategorized ascent of the day. After that, the route heads to Castelsantangelo sul Nera, where the climb to Frontignano begins. It’s not a long climb, but it’s a tough one—especially the middle section, which features gradients of up to 12%. On average, the ascent has a gradient of 7.8%, making it an ideal day for the pure climbers.

Read more below the photo!

Climbs
107.5 km: Crispiero (5.6 km at 5%)
163 km: Frontignano (7.7 km at7.8%)

Times
Start: 12:50 PM (local time) | 06:50 AM (EST)
Finish: around 05:00 PM (local time) | 11:00 AM (EST)

Weather stage 6 Tirreno-Adriatico 2025

Similar to Friday’s stage, temperatures won’t be too cold. At the start in Cartoceto, it will be around 13°C, though there is a chance of rain. As the day progresses, temperatures will rise, but the likelihood of rain remains high. At the finish in Frontignano, there’s even a possibility of thunderstorms. However, it won’t be as cold as the Queen Stage of Paris-Nice. Wind also seems to be less of a factor compared to the past few days.

Favorites stage 6 Tirreno-Adriatico 2025

Climbing, climbing, climbing! While the past few stages have seen multiple contenders for victory, this is a day where the pure climbers will have their chance. Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is in the best position among them, having already demonstrated his excellent early-season form in France. He also has Adam Yates by his side. For the stage win, Tom Pidcock appears to be the biggest challenger. The Brit from Q36.5 couldn’t keep up with Tadej Pogačar for long in Strade Bianche—can he now take on Ayuso and even beat him?

In the general classification, the riders closest to Ayuso include Antonio Tiberi, Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious), Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech), Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Laurens De Plus (INEOS Grenadiers), and Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ). But are these really the names that will challenge Ayuso and Pidcock for an uphill stage win? Bilbao and Grégoire seem to have the form, while the rest may come up just short.

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Mikel Landa

It seems much more likely that the top ten will be shaken up on Saturday by riders who had a weaker time trial on day one and are still climbing their way up the general classification. Think of Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek), Jai Hindley (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Marc Hirschi (Tudor), Mikel Landa (Soudal-Quick Step), and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost)—all of whom could make a big impact with a stage win.

That leaves us with Visma | Lease a Bike, which seemed to be backing Simon Yates, but perhaps Cian Uijtdebroeks is actually the stronger card to play. Valentin Paret-Peintre appears to be riding in support of Landa, though he might have a shot himself. Other riders to watch? We’re curious to see how long GC leader Filippo Ganna (INEOS) can hold on, and whether climbers outside the top 20—such as Eddie Dunbar (Jayco-AlUla), Davide Piganzoli (Polti), and Ben Healy (EF)—can make an impact.

Favorites stage 6 Tirreno-Adriatico 2025, according to IDLProCycling.com

Top favorites:Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Tom Pidcock (Q36.5)
Outsiders:Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek), Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step), Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Jai Hindley (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost)
Long Shots: Cian Uijtdebroeks, Simon Yates (Visma | Lease a Bike), Antonio Tiberi, Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious), Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ), Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step), Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) and Laurens De Plus (INEOS Grenadiers)

Bram van der Ploeg (Twitter: @BvdPloegg | email: [email protected])     

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