LOS ANGELES – March 4, 2010 – Universal Sports will broadcast the Tirreno-Adriatico to kick of Italy’s grand race series. In the 45th edition of the race is will be dedicated to the recent death of national team manager Franco Ballerini. Coverage of the race begins on Wednesday, March 10, from Livorno on the Universal Sports Network and the online stream, all broadcast times available at Universal Sports.

COVERAGE ON UNIVERSAL SPORTS: Universal Sports, available in 57 million homes, will present same-day coverage of the 2010 Tirreno-Adriatico. In addition, UniversalSports.com will stream highlights, photos, breaking news and more available at Universal Sports’ cycling channel at UniversalSports.com/cycling.

March 10 Livorno 4 pm- 6pm
March 11 Montecatini Terme 4 pm- 6pm
March 12 San Miniato 4 pm- 6pm
March 13 San Gemini 4 pm.- 6pm
March 14 Chieti 4 pm.- 6pm
March 15 Montecosaro 4 pm.- 6pm
March 16 Civitanova Marche 4 pm.- 6pm

COVERAGE ON UNIVERSALSPORTS.COM: Universal Sports will provide exclusive, same day delay coverage of the entire Tirreno-Adriatico. Each race will be streamed at 4:-00 p.m. – 6 p.m. ET. Complete schedule, as well as full-length videos, highlights, stage maps, photos and breaking news available at UniversalSports.com/cycling.

ABOUT THE RACE: The Tirreno-Adriatico (‘race of the two seas’) is the first of Italy’s Grand Races. The race consists of 7 stages, with 22 teams competing. Some of the most well known Pro Tour riders competing in the race are Cadel Evans, Tom Boonen, Mark Cavendish, Andy Schleck, Daniele Bennati, and Fabian Cancellara. The Tirreno-Adriatico will conclude in San Benedetto del Tronto on March 16. Italian Alberto Michele Scarponi was the winner of the Tirreno-Adriatico in 2009.

ABOUT UNIVERSAL SPORTS: Universal Sports, a partnership between NBC Sports and InterMedia Partners, serves as the preeminent multiplatform destination for Olympic-related and lifestyle sports programming available on television and online. Universal Sports is a 24-hour television channel available in 57 million television households in markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., San Diego, San Francisco, Denver, Seattle, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Reno and Omaha. Major world championship and Olympic qualifying events found on Universal Sports range from track and field, skiing, swimming, gymnastics, marathons and cycling, to volleyball, rowing, triathlon, fencing, speed skating and martial arts. UniversalSports.com delivers an immersive experience via live and on-demand competition coverage, interaction with top athletes through blogs and in-depth access to Olympic sports news and information year round. For more information on the availability of the Universal Sports 24-hour television channel, please visit UniversalSports.com