Forget Tirreno-Adriatico, forget Strade Bianche post-race hot takes, all everyone is talking about online this week is Jonas Vingegaard. In a rain-soaked fourth stage of Paris-Nice, the Visma-Lease a Bike rider’s unique bib-over-jersey combination has shaken the internet. From the bemused to the horrified, the reactions have been epic.

Plus, this fashion scandal has revealed a cornerstone of the cycling world that had hitherto gone unnoticed by me: the Velominati rules. 95 guidelines for road cyclists, from road rules to the importance of bike maintenance and cleanliness.

Jonas Vingegaard has, by the sounds of it, broken one of the manual's most sacrosanct: know what to wear. On the other hand, does a wardrobe shake-up always have to be headline news? Kudos to him, I say.

1. Potholes are everywhere. They are inescapable.

2. "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." We've all grown up hearing it, but Lorena Wiebes and the women of the peloton are proving that strength blasts that old saying out of the water.

3. Out with the old, in with the new: “squats for watts” is the mantra we’ll be taking into training this year.

4. Two dopamine triggers collide: good old fashioned slow-release endorphins and that deliciously *bad* doom scroll bliss. Not sure I’ve felt this personally attacked for a while - respect the ingenuity though.

5. Bit of gravel, bit of track, bit of cobbles - and pastries. This is two days with UAE Team Emirates-XRG riders Tadej Pogačar and Florian Vermeersch. Paris-Roubaix incoming...

6. Hard, dusty work at Strade Bianche last week. Bjorn Koerdt, a 21-year-old rider for Picnic PostNL finished 37th in the race

7. It was disco ball turbo training sessions for cross-country athlete, Evie Richards this week as she celebrated her 29th birthday.

8. Now for the reaction we’ve all been waiting for: Jonas Vingegaard’s fashion faux pas. This one made me laugh out loud. Vingegaard arrested for breaking rule 18 of the Veluminati code: know what to wear.

9. An outfit so bad, even us amateurs could replicate it. All we need are a pair of finishing trousers and a yellow bike - easy?

10. This content creator has taken a harder-line approach. “In case we’re confused, this is a no.”

Siena's Via Santa Caterina is most famous for its role in Strade Bianche. The 500m climb sits in the final, brutal kilometre of the race, and has often decided the winner of the Italian one-day Classic.

In 2021, Mathieu van der Poel accelerated to its summit with a 1,300-watt attack to secure one of his – and road cycling’s – most memorable victories. This year, Tadej Pogačar smiled up the 12% incline, the race won not in the last kilometre, but in the final 78.

Then, after the weekend’s thunderous crowd had dimmed to silence, after the fences had been carted away and the advertising banners cleared, another rider took aim at the famous climb.

"I took the bottles off my bike, took the saddlebag off, and did it in my jersey and bibs," Charlie Lewis-Follows told Cycling Weekly. "I just was like, 'All right, I'm just going to ride hard and see how I do.'"

The 21-year-old had first attempted the climb a few days before, finishing just four seconds short of the existing Strava KOM (King of the Mountains). On Sunday, he completed it in a time of two minutes and 22 seconds, averaging 30.2kph, to topple Egan Bernal's previous best from 2025 by three seconds, and become the new king of Santa Caterina.

Below him now are riders such as Romain Bardet, Paul Seixas, and Wout van Aert.

KOM hunting isn’t new to Lewis-Follows. A Girona local, he routinely takes to the surrounding hills on quests for the most coveted Strava kudos; it is, for him, the best part about cycling.

"If KOM hunting could be a profession, I would much prefer to do that than race," says the Huesca La Magia Renault Auto 4 development rider. "I love racing, but there's something about just ploughing up a hill or on a segment."

Lewis-Follows came to Spain four years ago set on crafting a professional road racing career. But a diagnosis of coeliac disease set the Brit back, as his body battled the food he was fuelling with.

"I'm glad I figured out what the problem was now and not a few years down the line," he said, "but I wish it happened a few years earlier because I feel like I could have had a really good first couple of years as an U23. It's a shame, but you can only move forwards.

"Now I'm kind of finding my own thing again. I'm racing part time and trying to build a name for myself on social media, but it's still very early doors," he explained. "Age is very much against you in this sport."

Lewis-Fellows' cycling content is already gaining traction. His Santa Caterina KOM attempt came after a spur-of-the-moment decision to join his friends and social-media content creators Couch View CC in Italy. This summer, they’re aiming to bag as many KOMs as they can across as the routes of the Belgian Classics, documenting as they go.

"The best thing about cycling is, for me, KOM hunting," Lewis-Follows stressed. "The amount of dopamine I personally get from planning out the pacing strategy, the time to work out what power I need to do and really get into the nerdy side of things is just so enjoyable, and the dopamine hit you get if you get a pretty prestigious one is just unmatched for me."

To conquer Siena's Santa Caterina, he had to average in excess of 500 watts, hitting a maximum power of 719 watts.

Now he's got the KOM, is he worried about being ousted by another hungry hill-climber? "I think the fact that I've now got it, and there's proof that I have been up there, it's like, OK, cool. It's fun. And if someone takes it, that's completely fine," he said.

"That's kind of the fun of the game. Especially with the KOMs around Girona, I've got a few friends [whose KOMs] I'll go for, and I'll take it, and then the next day they'll go and take it off me, and then I'll go back and get it back off them.

"It's just kind of like a less serious, friendly competition. There’s no risk and only reward, whereas with racing, I feel like there's a lot more risk. So it's just something that's kind of light-hearted and fun you know. It's great, I love it."

While Lewis-Follows holds the current best time on Strava on the official 'San Caterina' segment, this does not mean he necessarily holds the fastest time ever on the climb. Riders must upload their effort to Strava to be in contention for the KOM.

That said, Van der Poel's segment time from his Strade Bianche victory in 2021 was still 15 seconds short of Lewis-Follows – a testament of how impressive the Brit's feat is.

In modern pro cycling, the term super-team gets bandied about a lot. The class of squad which dominates, is able to buy more of the best riders than everyone else, is just a rank above, essentially. There have always been dominant teams, from La Vie Claire to HTC Highroad, but in the last decade, there have been Team Sky, Jumbo-Visma and UAE Team Emirates. Some would add Lidl-Trek and Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe into that group too.

This week, it was reported that Ineos had acquired new sponsorship worth €20 million a year in order to rejoin the ranks of the ‘super-teams’.

For me, this term should not be plural. There is one super-team: UAE Team Emirates-XRG. In 2024, they won 81 times. In 2025, they won 97 times. So far in 2026, they’ve won on 14 occasions, just under the 15 they’d won by this point last year, but still on target for a gargantuan tally by the end.

It is far from just Tadej Pogačar. The Slovenian, the best bike rider in the world, has raced and tasted victory once this year. He dominated Strade Bianche for the third year in a row, but seven other riders have won races; Isaac del Toro, Tim Wellens, António Morgado, Marc Soler, Jan Christen, Juan Sebastián Molano and Jay Vine have all stood on the top step of the podium.

Despite Jhonatan Narvaéz and Tim Wellens both being out for significant amounts of time with injury, their Classics squad reigned supreme at Strade, with Pogačar dovetailing with Del Toro and Christen perfectly to deliver victory; the latter pair finished third and sixth, after top work by Florian Vermeersch, Felix Großchartner, Kevin Vermaerke and Domen Novak. No other team has this level of strength in depth.

UAE has the backing of a sovereign wealth fund from an oil rich nation behind it, so it is not a surprise that they can afford to stockpile riders like almost no team before. The team are able to dominate throughout the year, not in one type of race or situation, but across many. When HTC were winning all the time, it was mostly in sprints; when Sky ruled, it was only largely at the Tour de France. Jumbo-Visma won the Giro d’Italia, Tour and Vuelta a España in 2023, but they only won 69 times.

This is clearly tilting the balance of competition to the detriment of racing, to the product of cycling. The issue isn’t the generational talent of Pogačar on its own, it's that he has what might be the strongest squad in history behind him.

The most exciting upcoming talent in the world right now is Paul Seixas. The 19-year-old has won more UCI points at his age than Pogačar or Remco Evenepoe did, or a whole host of other phenoms. The Frenchman was the nearest challenger to Pogačar at Strade Bianche on Saturday, and the applause that greeted his arrival in Siena was the loudest all day.

He has a contract with his current team, Decathlon CMA CGM, that runs until 2027, but sharks are already circling to secure his future. One shark in particular, naturally. Yes, it’s UAE Team Emirates-XRG, according to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.

It is only slightly hyperbolic to say that if Seixas moved to UAE cycling would be ruined for me. I want to see different riders at different teams dueling it out for wins. I do not want to see one nation state-backed outfit winning forever, inexorably, hoovering up all the talent. I sincerely hope Seixas stays at Decathlon, and that he is allowed to grow and flourish there. He’s only 19, after all.

Like how the wealth of nation states or people connected to them have unbalanced football through PSG, Man City, and others, it has come for cycling. There is no Financial Fair Play or draft system in the wild west of the WorldTour, nor does there appear to be any work happening to bridge the gap between rich and poor.

The inequality of cycling’s finances is not a fresh topic, in fact it is a subject that I have returned to repeatedly. Bigger and bigger sponsors are needed just to keep some afloat, while the team at the top continues to stockpile the best riders.

The answer has legislation from the top down, and some kind of system for financial equity, but this might require some turkeys to vote for Christmas, which seems unlikely. A salary cap seems too hard and fast, and damaging to riders, but some kind of budget cap could work, allowing teams to spend money as they see fit. Perhaps the wealthiest team’s spending could be tied to the poorest, with a limit on how much more the top team could spend, meaning that budgets couldn’t spiral out of control. This isn’t just about UAE Team Emirates, as another nation state or billionaire could simply come in and further stretch levels of finance in cycling.

If not, then we will live in a world where Pogačar can be backed by Del Toro and maybe Seixas in the future. The same team will keep winning all the time, and this will be normal. We can’t allow cycling to become too unbalanced.

This piece is part of The Leadout, the offering of newsletters from Cycling Weekly and Cyclingnews. To get this in your inbox, subscribe here.

If you want to get in touch with Adam, email adam.becket@futurenet.com.

There's pressure, and then there's the pressure of being a promising young French bike racing star. But Paul Seixas is showing no sign of crumbling under the weight of generations of Gallic fans, who have been waiting with varying degrees of patience for a Tour de France champion to follow in the footsteps of 1985 winner (and France's most recent male winner) Bernard Hinault.

At Strade Bianche on Saturday, Seixas's ride to second place behind Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – no yawning at the back – was arguably the performance of the race. His arrival at the Piazza del Campo in Siena was greeted with more fanfare than that of the Slovenian, despite the latter's attempts to rouse the crowd with a theatrical bow on the finish line.

It wasn't that the crowd wasn't impressed with Pogačar, who demonstrated the kind of form that may well have delivered a first, crushing, psychological blow to Tour de France rivals like Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe). It was more that they had seen this all before and, in any case, the race had essentially ended around, ooh, 78km earlier.

In the case of Seixas, the 19-year-old Lyonnais, it was a performance that many fans only dared to dream he could accomplish, and that showed. Of course, a Seixas win would really have been out of this world. But for a rider so young, who only registered his first pro win in February, and with so much expected of him, to beat some of the best riders in the world in one of the biggest races, this really was an exceptional performance.

He came in alone, a minute behind Pogačar, having dropped Giro d'Italia star (and Pogi's team-mate) Isaac del Toro on the final climb into Siena – that alone is some achievement.

Seixas himself displays the kind of bullish confidence that helps make some top riders unstoppable.

"It's a superb second place," he said afterwards. "The whole team did a tremendous job to put me in the best positions, but the race was chaotic at times and I had to make an extra effort that cost me some energy. That's what I lacked to catch up with Pogačar when he attacked, despite my efforts. Then there was no one to work with me. So I tried to make the race tougher and gave it my all until the end to get that second place. I'm very happy, it's really extraordinary."

How things progress from here remains to be seen but he will certainly take heart from his Tuscan performance. There is much speculation about Seixas riding the Tour de France; it's yet to be confirmed but it does feel as though that will be one arena in which the Frenchman is likely to be happy to approach with a learning mindset. With maybe just a stage win along the way…

The sun beats down on reddish stucco and brick around the edge of the Piazza del Campo. A crowd gathers in the middle of the square, as it has for various reasons over centuries. People lean out of their balconies overlooking the historic centre of Siena, revealing glittering Renaissance interiors within, a glimpse into another life.

This could be a scene from any point over the 800 years it has stood at the heart of the Tuscan city, but this Piazza, built as if it is a stage, an amphitheatre, is the host of the finish of Strade Bianche. It is fitting that the beautiful race ends in a gem like Siena.

Peering down on the square from the balcony, there are a few things that give 2026 and a modern bike race away: big screens, an electronic finish line gantry, a large tent hosting VIPs, and the pumping Euro-pop which is inescapable all afternoon. However, even the advertising banners are Tuscan red, with effort made to make the race fit in, the same colour as the restaurant awnings.

Inside the Piazza, away from the chaos of the white gravel roads, things are serene, until the riders themselves thunder in. You can hear the crowd on the Via Santa Caterina first, especially when Elisa Longo Borghini was in the ascendence at the end of the women's race. Then the gladiators emerge into their arena, and it becomes clear just how tough the race has been. Riders like Kasia Niewiadoma Phinney, second again, for a fourth time, collapse to the floor, both through physical and emotional exhaustion.

Tom Pidcock rolls in and composes himself before speaking to the media, others have faces caked in dust and grime, while a few more have bloodied wounds to show for their effort.

The women's and men's races end in remarkably different fashions. The former sees a four-way sprint all the way into Siena, with Elise Chabbey proving most adept at finding the right line to take into the final 300m. Niewiadoma is distanced, but Chabbey barely celebrates, unable to comprehend what has just happened, or just giving it all to the line. The roar of the crowd feels gladiatorial, although it has a slightly deflated edge, after Longo Borghini finished fourth.

Three hours later, ahead of schedule due to a race completed at blistering speed, Tadej Pogačar enters the Piazza del Campo alone. The Slovenian has time, a minute in fact, to sit up, to drink in all the vibes. He has been here before, his fourth title, the third in a row. The conqueror of the gravel, and well, everyone, unclipped, and took a bow after the finish line. It felt like an exhibition, juxtaposed against the thrilling conclusion to the women's race hours earlier.

What was more interesting was the reaction to Paul Seixas crossing the line, a minute after the winner. While there had been acclaim for Pogačar, there was louder applause for the young Frenchman, with the crowd warmly welcoming the next generation. While Pogačar remains unbeatable for now, especially on the white roads of Tuscany, there was a sense that the future is here, and it was welcomed.

Pogačar's dominance is impressive, and is not something we should get bored of, but the nature of the race changes when the final hour is filled with sarcastic comments over the gap narrowing, as opposed to the excitement of a grand denouement.

Strade Bianche remains, though, as a great spectacle, a race so good that it seems silly that the men's race is only 20 years old, and the women's race has only existed since 2016. In the medieval Piazza del Campo, it feels like an event that has existed forever.

As the shutters closed around the Piazza and the restaurants put out thier usual tables, the barriers being taken down, the only feeling left was wonder. Oh, and frustration that we have to wait 12 more months for the next thrilling edition.

Last week, cycling's social media was dominated by one thing: Opening Weekend. From podium celebrations to Belgian beers and road-side crashes, it's clear that the Flemish openers offer a mix of risky, tough, high-octane racing - and many riders love it.

We've had pros go missing mid-race or fall in ditches under the blue Belgian skies. But it has also been one of the race's most dangerous editions yet, according to Arnaud De Lie and a slew of other riders who emerged from the race battered and bruised - some out of contention for the next few races.

We've left this insta-dump of sorts with Demi Vollering, as she sips coffee on her way to Strade-Bianche. Lock in, racing is upon us!

1. Anyone else remember being forced to do “compliment circles” at school? In theory: great idea. In practise, it was pretty lost on a class of 25 awkward teenagers. The Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto Generation team survived the ordeal much better than we did. This is your team for 2026!

2. The dreaded bonk. That horrible going on-empty feeling can, however, be avoided with these hot tips to bonk-proof your fuelling.

3. From Matthew Brennan passing a sip of beer (he’s celiac) to Jordi Meeus tossing it towards the crowd - are the days of on-stage pints (a 'bolleke?') done?

The Ename beer on the podium looks to have hit the spot with Laurenz Rex

— @inrng.com (@inrng.com.bsky.social) 2026-03-08T09:31:14.165Z

4. Celebrations were briefly paused for Demi Vollering as the FDJ-SUEZ rider got champagne in her eye. It looks like it didn’t dent her thrill too much, as the 29-year-old celebrated her first Omloop Nieuwsblad title.

5. The before and after of a weekend of Flemish racing. Margot Vanpachtenbeke finished in 36th place on Saturday’s Omloop Nieuwsblad.

6. Opening Weekend was, according to Arnaud De Lie, "the most dangerous Omloop of my life," with riders crashing out with broken teeth, collarbones and fractured femurs. A day later, Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne saw Tim Wellens crash and fall into a ditch as the bunch squeezed on a narrow road. He broke his right collarbone.

7. A break from the Opening Weekend content in the form of Ed Sheeran - can someone double check this isn’t AI slop? Two worlds collide. Lead Out Sports were apparently lucky enough to meet the singer and songwriter on his LOOP Tour through Australia.

8. The rain in the UK has, fortunately, let up in the last few days. If we do end up with another bout (please no), here is a tried and tested technique for tackling flooded roads.

9. Or you could just hop over the puddles?

10. After victory at Omloop, Vollering headed to the Strade-Bianche, where the weather is fine and the coffee is good. Her team ended up winning through Elise Chabbey, so it was worth the journey,

There were tears in Tom Pidcock’s eyes in the Piazza del Campo at the end of Strade Bianche. Tears of frustration, brought on by an untimely bike mechanical, and also, in his words, a feeling of "sombreness" following another display of Tadej Pogačar dominance.

The Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling rider was one of the few to be with the world champion on the Monte Sante Marie sector with 79km to go of the race, and briefly appeared able to follow the Slovenian, until his chain slipped and the race was gone.

Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) then rode away for his fourth title – his third in a row – while Pidcock finished seventh, having expended his energy chasing back.

“I think you can feel a bit of sombreness here with everyone, with Visma behind me as well,” Pidcock told TNT Sports post-race, moments after exchanging a resigned look and greeting with Matteo Jorgenson of Visma-Lease a Bike.

“With UAE like that, there’s not much you can do. My chain fell off twice on Sante Marie, that really killed my momentum, but I wouldn’t have beaten Tadej anyway.

“I don’t think it changed much apart from taking a bit more out of me. It’s so difficult in the group behind when you know the race has gone. You can always think this is just the race now, but it’s not really how it is, when one guy’s in front.”

It had been a day of UAE Team Emirates-XRG domination. The team set such a pace through the day that no-one could escape the peloton, and orchestrated the race perfectly for Pogačar’s escape on the Sante Marie. In the end, it was the world champion that finished it off, but he was helped to that point by Jan Christen, Florian Vermeersch, Isaac del Toro and others. Once Pogačar was alone, a sense of inevitability descended on the race, despite there still being two hours left.

Did Pidcock ever feel that the gap could be closed? “At one point, yeah,” he said. “But I think that’s a pretty big gap when people are thinking about the final.”

With 17km to go, Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) slipped off the front, followed by Del Toro, and with the move went Pidcock's shot at a podium.

The British rider still remains the last person not called Tadej Pogačar to win Strade Bianche, doing so in 2023. If the Slovenian keeps coming back to the Tuscan Classic, it's hard to see that statistic changing.

Tadej Pogačar made a 78km solo and record-breaking fourth Strade Bianche victory look like a simple café ride, as he opened his season masterfully on Saturday.

The world champion attacked on the Monte Sante Marie gravel sector – as he did in 2024 – shortly after the midway point of the Italian one-day Classic.

For a moment, last year’s runner-up Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5) followed, but fell victim to an untimely chain drop. Nineteen-year-old French phenom Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) then tried to chase, marked by Pogačar’s UAE Team Emirates-XRG team-mate Isaac del Toro, before the Slovenian kicked again and floated away alone.

Immediately after he crossed the line in Siena's Piazza del Campo, Pogačar climbed off his bike, punched the air, and bowed.

His victory – clocked at a race record average speed of 42.7kph – means he is now the only rider in Strade Bianche's two-decade history to win four times. In doing so, he surpassed a record he previously shared with Fabian Cancellara, a three-time winner. Pogačar has also won the event three years in a row.

In the duel for second, Seixas dropped Del Toro on the Via Santa Caterina climb into the piazza to round out an impressive Strade Bianche debut.

Asked about the moment he rode away from the young Frenchman, Pogačar said: "I saw that he was chasing really hard on the steepest part of the climb on Sante Marie. I said to myself, 'I will go all-out to the top, then I will see if he can bridge; either he will come or he will explode, make a gap.' In the end, I saw it was enough.”

Seixas was the last rider to see the rainbow bands before the podium ceremony. As he rampaged across Tuscany's sterrati, Pogačar's advantage stretched to almost two minutes; it only fell to one minute at the very end, by which time the world champion had slowed to savour the final climb, high-fiving his old coach at the bottom, and smiling as he scaled the empty road, flanked by thousands of fans.

"Probably I always say this, but chapeau to my team-mates today. Everyone did an incredible job," Pogačar said.

The world champion's next goals lie in a run of Monuments, two of which – Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix – remain bucket-list races for him.

"It’s a great start to the season," he said of his history-making Strade Bianche victory. "Today was the first day of the year. We go day by day, race by race, and see how it goes."

The last time Pogačar opened his season with a win at the Italian Classic, in 2024, he went on to enjoy his most successful year to date, winning the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and UCI World Championships – cycling's Triple Crown. Another year of supremacy surely awaits.

Results

Strade Bianche (203km): Siena > Siena

1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates-XRG, in 4:45:15
2. Paul Seixas (Fra) Decathlon CMA CGM, +1:00
3. Isaac del Toro (Mex) UAE Team Emirates-XRG, +1:09
4. Romain Grégoire (Fra) Groupama-FDJ United, +2:04
5. Gianni Vermeersch (Bel) Red Bull-Bora-hangrohe, at same time
6. Jan Christen (Sui) UAE Team Emirates-XRG, +2:07
7. Tom Pidcock (GBr) Pinarello Q36.5, +2:14
8. Matteo Jorgenson (USA) Visma-Lease a Bike, +2:20
9. Andreas Kron (Den) Uno-X Mobility, +3:46
10. Wout van Aert (Bel) Visma-Lease a Bike, at same time

Confusion reigned among riders in the Piazza del Campo at the finish of the women's Strade Bianche. There were few complaints over a dominant team performance by FDJ United-SUEZ, who won the race through Elise Chabbey and finished third through Franziska Koch, but a significant group was missing.

With around 33km to go on Saturday, a chase group containing Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ), Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) went off course.

The group appeared to follow a motorbike which turned right onto a gravel track between two vineyards, instead of following the road round to the left. The mistake meant it was game over for all those who made it. As they turned around, a few hundreds metres downhill, and trudged back to the course, their gap to the race leaders trebled, from one minute to around three.

The time loss compounded earlier mechanicals for Vollering and Ferrand-Prévot, who already victims of misfortune on Le Tolfe around 10km before.

“Apparently we took the wrong road, so there was nothing more I could say,” Ferrand-Prévot said post-race.

Asked how the wrong turn happed, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift champion replied: “I have no idea... I saw a moto and people going right and then we stopped 200m after. I turned back, and we were far away already. I didn’t know if the front group also turned the wrong way. I still don’t really know, so I’m looking forward to going to the bus and hear what happened.”

Vollering, the defending champion who ended up placing 20th, showed no signs of despair at the finish. Instead, she beamed with joy for her team-mate, Chabbey, the race winner. “I’m so proud of [the team], we did such a perfect race,” Vollering said.

“I had a flat tyre at the worst moment ever, and I was like I can still come back, never give up, keep pushing. They sent us the wrong way and in that moment we knew we’d never come back. All the cars passed and we were in the last of the race. Then it was over.

“Pity for me," she shrugged, "but I was so excited to hear it on the radio. I tried to sometimes tell them something, but it wasn’t necessary because they did amazing.”

Also in the group were Kim Le Court-Pienaar and Letizia Borghesi (AG Insurance-Soudal), Anna van der Breggen and Nienke Vinke (SD Worx-Protime), Mavi García, Silvia Persico and Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ), Lucinda Brand (Lidl-Trek), Millie Couzens (Fenix-Premier Tech), and Femke De Vries (Visma-Lease a Bike).

“I don’t really know what happened,” said Couzens, the British champion, who placed 34th. “The motorbike went right and we all just followed the bikes in front, and I was like, 'I don’t remember this on the recon', and everyone started shouting... That was quite bad, actually.

“After that, I knew we’d never come back to the front, so it was just survival. I try to enjoy moments, especially after I was dropped, I tried to take it all in. I tried to appreciate it as much as I could.”

Members of the group that went off-course finished more than six minutes behind Chabbey.

It was an FDJ United-SUEZ rider that won the women’s Strade Bianche on Saturday, but not the one that everyone expected.

Elise Chabbey, who began the day riding for her team-mate and the race's defending champion Demi Vollering, earned the biggest victory of her career, winning a finish-line dash in Siena.

The former Swiss champion took up leadership duties after bad luck struck Vollering; the Dutchwoman first suffered a flat tyre on a gravel sector, before taking a wrong turn with around 33km remaining, together with Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, who were all part of a group that appeared to follow a race motorbike down an off-road track.

The mistake took the three race favourites out of contention. At the front, despite attacks from Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto), Elisa Longo-Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) and Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck), it was Chabbey who proved most astute over the steep finishing climb of the Via Santa Caterina, dicing through the bends smartly to lead across the line.

"So many emotions. I think I cannot realise [what I've done] for now. I think I will need days," Chabbey said afterwards.

Beyond the finish in the Piazza del Campo, the 32-year-old collapsed against a metal barrier, where her team soigneur came to meet her. "I won?" Chabbey asked frantically. The confirmation caused the rider to grab her helmet in shock. "What the f***," Chabbey said, first in her native French, and then in English.

Chabbey was the first to attack in the 133km race, doing so inside 50km to go on the first ascent of Colle Pinzuto, gravel sector six of 11.

After her team leader's wrong turn, she then yo-yoed between groups at the front of the race, as riders attacked on every sector in what was a closely contested finale.

"I was really on the limit so many times," Chabbey said in her TV interview. "In my head I just wanted to give up, but for Demi who was behind, and for all the work my team-mates did, I was like, ‘I need to go to the finish.’"

As Chabbey spoke to the TV cameras, Vollering burst into the picture to interrupt the interview with a hug. She then looked her team-mate in the eyes, and with a smile, told her to "enjoy" the moment.

Had Vollering won, as many expected she would, she would have become the first woman in history to have a sector named after her, an honour given to any rider who wins the race three times. Instead, she finished 20th. Ferrand-Prévot was 29th, while Kopecky, winner of two of the last four editions, was 30th.

"Normally it should have been for Demi, but today it’s for me," Chabbey said. "I think she’s as happy for me. When she wins, I’m also super happy. That makes FDJ United – we’re so united that I think we can reach everything.”

The French team ended the day with two riders on the podium, as Franziska Koch rode to an unanticipated but assured third place.

Results

Strade Bianche Donne (133km): Siena > Siena

1. Elise Chabbey (Sui) FDJ United-SUEZ, in 3:35:42
2. Kasia Niewiadoma (Pol) Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto
3. Franziska Koch (Ger) FDJ United-SUEZ, both at same time
4. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) UAE Team ADQ, +3s
5. Magdeleine Vallieres (Can) EF Education-Oatly, +6s
6. Puck Pieterse (Ned) Fenix-Premier Tech, +16s
7. Marianne Vos (Ned) Visma-Lease a Bike, +34s
8. Monica Trinca Colonel (Ita) Liv AlUla Jayco, +37s
9. Shirin van Anrooij (Ned) Lidl-Trek, +1:21
10. Niamh Fisher-Black (NZl) Lidl-Trek, +1:47

Strade Bianche follows Omloop Het Nieuwsblad as the second WorldTour one-day race of the season, and has quickly become one of the most thrilling races of the year in its short lifetime. Iconic for its white roads - the eponymous strade bianche - the event takes place over sectors of white gravel roads before finishing in Siena. Its known for its beauty as well as its brutality.

Below, Cycling Weekly has laid out all the key information on broadcasters and live streams so you can watch Strade Bianche wherever you are.

Quick guide to watching Strade Bianche 2025

• UK: TNT Sports / Discovery+ (£30.99/mon)
• US: Max (from $18.49/mon)
• Canada: Flobikes ($39.99/mon)
• Australia: SBS (Free)
• Free live stream: SBS (Australia), RAI (Italy), Sporza, Auvio (Belgium)
• Anywhere: Watch your local stream from anywhere with NordVPN

Can I watch Strade Bianche for free?

Fans in Australia, Italy and Belgium can watch Strade Bianche for free thanks to broadcasters in their regions.

In Australia, Strade Bianche will be shown on TV and online with English commentary by SBS, the country's public service broadcaster. Head to SBS On Demand to start streaming.

In Italy, the race is with public broadcaster RAI on their RAI Play web player, while Flemish and French speaking Belgians are both catered for through VRT/Sporza and RTBF/Auvio respectively.

Coverage is geo-restricted, so if you're not in any of these countries right now, and these channels are your usual port of call, you'll need a VPN to get your usual coverage while abroad – more on that below.

How to watch Strade Bianche while abroad

Most streaming platforms have geo-restrictions these days, which means they only work in certain countries. But being locked out of the races is a thing of the past thanks to a VPN.

A Virtual Private Network is a piece of internet security software that can alter your device's location, so you can unblock your usual streaming services, even when you're abroad.

Want to know more? We have an explainer on the benefits, costs, and considerations of using a VPN...
– Should I use a VPN to watch cycling?

How to watch Strade Bianche in the UK

In the UK, Strade Bianche will be shown on TNT Sports 3, or can be streamed on its sister platform Discovery+, priced at £30.99 a month.

TNT Sports is also £30.99 a month, but customers can get the channels cheaper with certain TV packages. Virgin Media, Sky TV and EE mobile customers can purchase TNT Sports as part of a package.

How to watch Strade Bianche in the US and Canada

For viewers in the US, this year's coverage of Strade Bianche is on Max, which will cost $18.49 a month for the package including live sports.

Flobikes is in charge of broadcasting the race in Canada (but US Flobikes subscribers will be locked out for rights reasons). Subscriptions cost CA$39.99 a month, with big savings on annual plans.

What to expect at Strade Bianche 2026

Strade Bianche is the second step in the Classics season, a warm-up for what's to come later. Both men's and women's versions of the race run on the same day, with hard, attacking racing expected in both, as well as the iconic finish in the centre of the beautiful Tuscan city of Siena.

The defending champion, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) has won the past two editions and will be on the start line, alongside 2023 winner Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5). In the women's race, last year's winner Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez), as well as Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), who won in 2024, will both take the start, as will Kopecky's team-mate Anna van der Breggen, who was second last year.

Last year saw Pogačar attack with Connor Swift (Ineos Grenadiers) and Pidcock, before going solo with 18km to go, while in the women's race Vollering and Van der Breggen sprinted it out together on the final climb.

What time is Strade Bianche on? Schedule

The coverage of Strade Bianche in the UK runs from 10.30am-1pm GMT for the women's race, followed by 1pm-4.30pm GMT for the men's race.

In the US, Strade coverage starts at 5.45 (ET), while coverage in Canada begins at 6am EST.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Plumes of white dust will fill the scented air around Tuscanys roads this weekend as the men's and women's pelotons take on Strade Bianche. But while it looks so much like a gravel race, why don’t the riders use gravel bikes?

Some 80km of the race is run on sections of road made of limestone gravel and chalky white clay. These rough farm roads that give the event its name look remarkably similar to the courses used in modern UCI Gravel race events.

Yet when the peloton rolls out of Siena this weekend the bikes underneath riders like Tadej Pogačar and Tom Pidcock, will still be road machines.

Despite its gravelly reputation, and the unmistakable visuals, Strade Bianche is still a road race. Around two-thirds of the route is paved, and the speeds on the gravel sectors are ferocious. Riders will reach speeds in excess of 50km/h on the connecting tarmac, especially through the mid-section of the race, and many of the gravel sectors will be tackled at speed too. Aerodynamics therefore matter.

And with multiple gravel and tarmac climbs throughout the race, including the famous final climb into Siena’s Piazza del Campo, bikes that are lightweight and aerodynamic become essential.

Fundamentally, that’s why most teams stick with their aero road frames. Teams riding Specialized bikes tend to stick with the S-Works Tarmac SL8 rather than the more endurance-focused Specialized Roubaix, although that bike has made the occasional appearance.

The Factor Ostro VAM gravel bike has been ridden at Strade, but the bike is arguably so similar to the road-going version, that it would make little difference. It just offers more tyre clearance. But It’s just as likely it was the marketing team who wanted to see it prove itself in a high-profile race.

Whilst we don’t see many gravel bikes, we have seen plenty of gravel tech creeping in, especially in the context of tyres. And over the last five years, the bikes have adapted, with wider clearances for bigger volume tyres run at lower pressures. 25mm tyres crept up to 28mm, and I suspect we’ll see plenty of 30mm and 32mm options.

Gravel bikes are getting faster

Of course, we now have gravel race bikes. Bikes like the Cervelo Áspero-5 have many of the features of bikes like the S5, and whilst they are indeed fast — I’ve been riding an Áspero-5 on all surfaces all year and think it’s an absolute rocket ship of an all-road bike. It has bags of clearance and could offer more handling stability over the rougher sections, but it’s still not nearly as fast on tarmac as an S5. The penalty would soon add up on the very fastest sections.

Then there’s climbing weight, and stiffness. Even the lightest gravel bikes are slightly heavier than the dedicated road race frames. The geometry is designed for control, rather than an aero position and quicker handling. In a race that regularly sees decisive attacks on short, vicious gradients, that difference is important.

And then there’s the marketing to consider. Sponsors invest a packet in their flagship road bikes. Victory at a classic sells bikes.

All that said, the lines are still blurring. As gravel continues to grow under the UCI umbrella, race gravel bikes are getting lighter and faster, perhaps inching closer to the performance of road machines.

If weather, or a change in the route - where perhaps more off-road sections were added - the balance could shift. Riders might stick their necks out and gamble on a gravel platform, where the extra traction and control might help as the race hots up, in less ideal conditions.

For now, with tyres and clearance on road bikes edging upwards, the hybrid solutions seem fit for purpose, despite carrying a more than a little gravel, cyclocross, or even classics DNA than ever before.

The bikes you see riding flat out, emerging from the dust this weekend might be road bikes, but they’re far more adaptable, capable, comfortable, and downright fast than anyone could have imagined just twenty years ago, let alone before.

It's the holes you don't see on television. The gravel sectors of Strade Bianche add an element of chaos, sure, and are picturesque in the Tuscan hills, but without seeing the sterrati close up, it's hard to imagine what it must be like to race it.

The eponymous white roads are pockmarked with potholes that would make a British council wince, and are hard to avoid at my lowly speed, let alone the pace of the peloton, packed out across the road, with little room to manoeuvre. These are potholes that risk throwing you out of rhythm, out of line, and into someone else or off the road at worst.

I've ridden the bergs and cobbles of the Tour of Flanders, and experienced the pavé of Paris-Roubaix up close, but it wasn't until I actually experienced the gravel of Strade Bianche this afternoon that I realised how brutal a race it is.

Not that I ever assumed it was easy. With its climbing and kilometres of gravel, and list of winners, from Tadej Pogačar to Lotte Kopecky, this is a race only winnable for the best of the best. However, riding the sterrati proved to me that it is hard, something I was able to do thanks to Bianchi launching its new Infinito.

First there's the run-into the sectors, the corners the most important bit, as in the cobbled Classics, and the race to be in the front. Then the juddering begins, and the grind to put down power – compared to tarmac, everything becomes harder. The bone-rattling isn't constant like on the cobbles, but there are bigger holes, holes that you could lose a wheel in, plus relentless climbing. I think it would take me about two metres of a sector in the race for me to crack, if I pretend I'd make it there at all.

The beauty of Tuscany is there for all to see on television, with its hillside towns and Renaissance palazzos and churches, but for the riders, all there is to concentrate on is staying upright, following the wheels, and making the right decision at the right point. This is something that separates those that win from those that miss out.

If you've ever wondered why riders look so shattered, almost crushed, at the end of Strade Bianche, then come and try out the gravel sectors yourself. Enjoy the beauty, and taste a bit of the suffering that comes from cycling around this part of the world. I'm just glad it was sunny today, and should be sunny tomorrow for the race.

This is one of the best things about cycling, of course, that outside of race day, one can experience the same roads the professionals race on. It also illuminates how otherworldly the riders are; it's like being able to serve at Centre Court or bowl at Lords, both activities that would show me up as a very ordinary athlete. Cycling can be exactly the same, but just for a second, you can pretend that you are WorldTour-level, with the wind in your hair, and the idea that you are going fast.

Needless to say my canter on Strade Bianche's sterrati has made me even more excited for Saturday's races, and has convinced me – if I needed it – that the people who compete in them are superhuman. I just hope they avoid the potholes.

It's Paris-Roubaix with hard, hard hills; a Grand Tour gravel epic on steroids; it's an Ardennes Classic with off-road elements. It's Strade Bianche, and once again it looks set to be a thriller.

It's a race with so many tasty ingredients that many feel it ought to join the list of Monuments that sit at the top of the one-day racing tree.

Both men's and women's races run on the same day, Saturday 7 March, and will feature some of cycling's biggest names. This year's races feature a slightly shorter course and, in the case of the men's event, significantly less gravel with the hope of producing a more competitive event – Tadej Pogačar has one the last two editions with long solo attacks.

Here are a few things we're really looking forward to this weekend, at what will be the second big European Classic of the season. We are salivating at the prospect already.

King vs Pretender: Paul Seixas takes on Tadej Pogačar

The ruler must now face the young pretender. Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) will go into the race as favourite, but as many eyes will surely be on French upstart Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CRG), who has been making waves already this season with a series of impressive wins that bely his 19 years.

Neither rider's recent results on paper tell the whole story, for Slovenia's Pogačar has yet to turn a pedal in anger this year and we have little concrete indication of his form. In the case of Seixas – he only took his first pro victory a fortnight ago, and that was at .Pro level – a WorldTour race like Strade Bianche is a step up.

In reality though, we can all be forgiven for presuming when it comes to Tadej Pogačar. The past two seasons have seen him imperious and almost unbeatable in races like this, not to mention he won Strade Bianche in both of those years. As for Seixas, it is his young age and the panache with which he has taken his two wins this season – in particular the one-day Faun Ardèche, where he won solo from long range with a 1:48 gap – that demand we take notice.

Speaking on this week's Watts Occurring podcast with Geraint Thomas, Seixas's DS at Decathlon CMA CGM Luke Rowe had this to say about him:

"He's legit. In the meeting before the race, that's what he said he was going to do. And if you look at the guys he rode off his wheel, if you look at the top 10… they're legit guys. This guy [Seixas] is special… 'F*** me, he's special. He's super professional, lovely bloke – just down to earth. He's still a kid, he's just a jolly kid riding his bike. He doesn't think about the consequences, he just goes and races. He just wants to win everything, smash everyone… he's a special guy."

With a near-190km distance and 11 classified climbs, the Faun Ardèche was not so different to Strade Bianche, minus the strength-sapping white roads, of course. The chances of him riding away from the entire field at Tuscany are slim, but it will be fascinating to watch him go toe to toe with the very best, and on the biggest of stages.

Will Demi Vollering and Lotte Kopecky extend their streak?

The past four editions of the women's race – the Strade Bianche Donne – have seen the spoils shared between Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) and Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez). These are arguable the two best riders in the women's peloton and Strade Bianche offers up the perfect platform where either of these riders, with their own particular abilities, can win. Since Kopecky's first win in 2022, they've taken it in turns, with Vollering the current defending champion.

Both women return again, with Dutchwoman Vollering looking in great form following a run of great results at the Setmana Valenciana – where she took two stages and the overall win; and Omloop Nieuwsblad – which she won. Kopecky, on the other hand, suffered a mechanical at Omloop, which is her one race so far this season, and was unable to capitalise on what she said were good feelings.

Vollering and Kopecky are unlikely to have things all their own way of course – see below for some of the other riders who have the ability to challenge for the win at Strade Bianche Donne.

Shorter, smoother, more open, but still brutal

The organiser of Strade Bianche, RCS, has shortened the course for both men and women, and taken gravel sectors out, with the aim of making the race more open. For the men, the distance is reduced from from 215 to 205km, and, in the men's race, removed two-and-a-half sectors of sterrati, bringing the amount of gravel in the event down by 18km. There is less removed in the women's race on both counts, with the distance reduced by just three kilometres to 133km. Two sectors of sterrati have also been removed in the early stages, making for a 16km reduction.

It feels like this was done with half an eye on Pogačar more than anything else, perhaps to rein in those long-range attacks that have become his trademark and can have the effect of nullifying a race after little more than the halfway mark, in extreme cases. However, the changes have been made in the first half, with the tough and hilly finale left in.

Challengers to the throne

Strade Bianche is about far more than just Tadej Pogacar and Paul Seixas, or Demi Vollering and Lotte Kopecky. In the men's event, Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) will be taking the start. The Brit won the race in 2023 and has been among the best of the rest behind Pogačar in the two races since – last year, in fact, he was second. Pidcock loves this race and will be lining up with nothing on his mind but winning.

The provisional startlist also features Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost), he of the impressive breakaways at last year's Tour de France; Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), who pushed Pogacar hard in another hilly Classic – Il Lombardia – last year; and Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), who will be looking forward to turning the tables on a run of recent bad luck.

In the women's race, Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) heads up the challenge from riders whose surname is not Vollering or Kopecky. She has come second here three times (the last time being 2018) but the 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift winner is still more than capable of winning the race. A recent second at Omloop suggests she's in great form.

Elsewhere Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike) will make her season debut here. Her third place here last year – not to mention the fact she is the reigning Tour de France Femmes champ – suggests she is well capable of winning on the right day. Finally, Shirin van Anrooij will head up the Lidl-Trek squad. The young Dutch rider is yet to amass many wins but has a previous fifth place here (2024).

Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) will defend her Strade Bianche title on Saturday as one of the 126 riders now confirmed on the start list.

The Dutchwoman, riding in her second season with her French team, will face a number of her key rivals in Tuscany, including the reigning Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma-Lease a Bike), the two-time world champion Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto), the rider Vollering outsprinted to win Omloop Nieuwsblad last weekend.

There will be 21 teams of six riders competing in the Italian one-day Classic. Among them are the top WorldTour teams, as well as five local Continental teams: Aromitalia Vaiano, Isolmant-Premac-Vittoria, Team Mendespeck E-Work, Top Girls Fassa Bortolo and Vini Fantini-BePink.

Starting and finishing in Siena, the peloton will race 133km, including 11 gravel sectors.

The confirmed start list is published in full below. This information was shared by the race organiser, RCS, on Thursday.

FDJ United – Suez

1. Demi Vollering
2. Juliette Berthet
3. Elise Chabbey
4. Léa Curinier
5. Franziska Koch
6. Amber Kraak

AG Insurance – Soudal

11. Kim Le Court-Pienaar
12. Mireia Benito
13. Letizia Borghesi
14. Lore De Schepper
15. Justine Ghekiere
16. Urška Žigart

Aromitalia Vaiano

21. Fanny Bonini
22. Lucia Brillante Romeo
23. Romina Costantini
24. Virginia Iaccarino
25. Maya Kingma
26. Eleonora La Bella

Canyon–SRAM zondacrypto

31. Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney
32. Neve Bradbury
33. Rosa Klöser
34. Anastasiya Kolesava
35. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig
36. Soraya Paladin

EF Education–Oatly

41. Magdeleine Vallières
42. Nina Berton
43. Henrietta Christie
44. Cédrine Kerbaol
45. Alexis Magner
46. Noemi Rüegg

Fenix–Premier Tech

51. Puck Pieterse
52. Millie Couzens
53. Yara Kastelijn
54. Flora Perkins
55. Christina Schweinberger
56. Marthe Truyen

Isolmant–Premac–Vittoria

61. Giulia Bisso
62. Anita Baima
63. Lara Crestanello
64. Valeria Curnis
65. Martina Silvestri
66. Valentina Zanzi

Lidl–Trek

71. Shirin van Anrooij
72. Linda Brand
73. Niamh Fisher-Black
74. Riejanne Markus
75. Amanda Spratt
76. Margot Vanpachtenbeke

Liv AlUla Jayco

81. Monica Trinca Colonel
82. Caroline Andersson
83. Ruby Roseman-Gannon
84. Josie Talbot
85. Matilde Vitillo
86. Ella Wyllie

Ma Petite Entreprise

91. Noémie Abgrall
92. Laura Asencio
93. Morgane Coston
94. Clémence Latimier
95. Célia Le Mouël
96. Océane Mahé

Movistar

101. Liane Lippert
102. Francesca Barale
103. Aude Biannic
104. Ana Vitória Magalhães
105. Sara Martín
106. Arlenis Sierra

St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93

111. Heidi Franz
112. Alicia González
113. Alison Jackson
114. Émilie Morier
115. Solène Muller
116. Caroline Wreszin

Team Mendelspeck E-Work

121. Camilla Bezzone
122. Eleonora Deotto
123. Giulia Giuliani
124. Ilaria Marinetto
125. Elena Pirrone
126. Sara Segala

Team Picnic PostNL

131. Eleonora Ciabocco
132. Audrey De Keersmaeker
133. Gaia Masetti
134. Dilyxine Miermont
135. Josie Nelson
136. Daniela Hezinová

Team SD Worx-Protime

141. Lotte Kopecky
142. Mischa Bredewold
143. Femke Gerritse
144. Steffi Häberlin
145. Anna van der Breggen
146. Nienke Vinke

Team Visma-Lease a Bike

151. Pauline Ferrand Prevot
152. Femke de Vries
153. Daniek Hengeveld
154. Katharina Sadnik
155. Sarah van Dam
156. Marianne Vos

Top Girls Fassa Bortolo

161. Monica Castagna
162. Elisa De Vallier
163. Sara Luccon
164. Marta Pavesi
165. Chiara Reghini
166. Alessia Zambelli

UAE Team ADQ

171. Elisa Longo Borghini
172. Paula Blasi
173. Mavi García
174. Erica Magnaldi
175. Silvia Persico
176. Dominika Włodarczyk

Uno-X Mobility

181. Katrine Aalerud
182. Ingvild Gåskjenn
183. Sigrid Ytterhus Haugset
184. Anouska Koster
185. Mie Bjørndal Ottestad
186. Francesca Pellegrini

BPK Vini Fantini - Epink

191. Sofia Arici
192. Misia Belotti
193. Irene Cagnazzo
194. Andrea Casagranda
195. Gaia Segato
196. Elisa Valtulini

VolkerWessels Cycling Team

201. Anne Knijnenburg
202. Laura Molenaar
203. Esmée Peperkamp
204. Maud Rijnbeek
205. Sabrina Stultiens
206. Sophie von Berswordt

The full start list for the men's Strade Bianche this Saturday has now been confirmed, with a mixture of headline riders, past winners and debutants.

Among those expected to light up the race are the defending champion Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), last year's runner-up Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling), and 19-year-old Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM), who is widely touted as French cycling's emerging hope.

Alongside Pogačar, winner of three of the last four editions, and Pidcock, who won in 2023, there are also two other previous winners on the start list: Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike, 2020) and Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling, 2019).

Around 60 riders of the 175-strong field will be making their debut on Strade Bianche's white gravel roads on 7 March. The youngest among them is Mattia Stenico (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber), who was born two days before Seixas.

The full start list for the event, released on Thursday by organiser RCS and including rider numbers, is below. There are 25 teams, each made up of seven riders. The names are subject to change.

Strade Bianche 2026 start list

UAE Team Emirates-XRG

1. Tadej Pogačar
2. Jan Christen
3. Isaac Del Toro
4. Felix Großschartner
5. Domen Novak
6. Kevin Vermaerke
7. Florian Vermeersch

Alpecin–Premier Tech

11. Tibor Del Grosso
12. Francesco Busatto
13. Aaron Dockx
14. Gal Glivar
15. Michael Gogl
16. Edward Planckaert
17. Emiel Verstrynge

Bahrain-Victorious

21. Matej Mohorič
22. Pello Bilbao
23. Fran Miholjević
24. Pau Miquel
25. Afonso Oliveira Eulálio
26. Attila Valter
27. Edoardo Zambanini

Bardiani CSF 7 Saber

31. Filippo Magli
32. Martin Marcellusi
33. Alessio Martinelli
34. Luca Paletti
35. Mattia Stenico
36. Alex Tolio
37. Filippo Turconi

Decathlon CMA CGM

41. Paul Seixas
42. Pierre Gautherat
43. Noa Isidore
44. Antoine L’Hôte
45. Jordan Labrosse
46. Paul Lapeira
47. Gregor Mühlberger

EF Education–EasyPost

51. Ben Healy
52. Vincenzo Albanese
53. Richard Carapaz
54. Mikkel Honoré
55. Lukas Nerurkar
56. James Shaw
57. Michael Valgren

Groupama–FDJ United

61. Valentin Madouas
62. Clément Braz Alfonso
63. Tom Donnenwirth
64. Kévin Geniets
65. Lorenzo Germani
66. Romain Grégoire
67. Brieuc Rolland

Ineos Grenadiers

71. Jack Haig
72. Lucas Hamilton
73. Kim Heiduk
74. Axel Laurance
75. Brandon Smith Rivera
76. Artem Shmidt
77. Connor Swift

Lidl–Trek

81. Albert Withen Philipsen
82. Andrea Bagioli
83. Patrick Konrad
84. Bauke Mollema
85. Jacopo Mosca
86. Quinn Simmons
87. Matteo Sobrero

Lotto Intermarché

91. Jarrad Van Eetvelt
92. Simone Gualdi
93. Mathieu Kockelmann
94. Liam Slock
95. Reuben Thompson
96. Jenno Berckmoes
97. Matthew Fox

MBH Bank–CSB Telecom Fort

101. Marcin Budziński
102. Luca Cretti
103. Márton Dina
104. Alessandro Fancellu
105. Lorenzo Nespoli
106. Alessandro Verre
107. Samuele Zoccarato

Movistar

111. Pavel Novák
112. Roger Adrià
113. Albert Torres
114. Filip Maciejuk
115. Manlio Moro
116. Diego Pescador
117. Gonzalo Serrano

NSN Cycling Team

121. George Bennett
122. Pier-André Côté
123. Pau Martí
124. Krists Neilands
125. Alessandro Pinarello
126. Nick Schultz
127. Flors Van Tricht

Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team

131. Tom Pidcock
132. Xabier Mikel Azparren
133. Mark Donovan
134. Brent Van Moer
135. Quinten Hermans
136. Xandro Meurisse
137. Milan Vader

Red Bull–BORA–Hansgrohe

141. Gianni Vermeersch
142. Mattia Cattaneo
143. Emil Herzog
144. Gianni Moscon
145. Giulio Pellizzari
146. Adrien Boichis
147. Ben Zwiehoff

Solution Tech–Nippo–Rali

151. Franklin Archibold
152. Alexandre Balmer
153. Luca Verrando
154. Ben Granger
155. Alessandro Iacchi
156. Tommaso Nencini
157. Andrea Piras

Soudal Quick-Step

161. Filippo Zana
162. Gianmarco Garofoli
163. Junior Lecerf
164. Pepijn Reinderink
165. Martin Svrček
166. Louis Vervaeke
167. Mauri Vansevenant

Team Jayco AlUla

171. Filippo Conca
172. Alessandro Covi
173. Dries De Bondt
174. Davide De Pretto
175. Anders Foldager
176. Alan Hatherly
177. Andrea Vendrame

Team Picnic PostNL

181. Mattia Gaffuri
182. James Knox
183. Robbe Dhondt
184. Matthew Dinham
185. Alexy Faure Prost
186. Bjorn Koerdt
187. Oliver Peace

Team Polti VisitMalta

191. Adrián Benito
192. Gabriele Bessega
193. Aidan Buttigieg
194. Dario Giuliano
195. Francisco Muñoz
196. Andrea Pietrobon
197. Diego Pablo Sevilla

Team Visma-Lease a Bike

201. Wout Van Aert
202. Filippo Fiorelli
203. Tijmen Graat
204. Matteo Jorgenson
205. Timo Kielich
206. Pietro Mattio
207. Tim Rex

Tudor Pro Cycling Team

211. Julian Alaphilippe
212. Roland Thalmann
213. Yannis Voisard
214. Lawrence Warbasse
215. Fabian Weiss
216. Hannes Wilksch
217. Luc Wirtgen

Unibet Rose Rockets

221. Wout Poels
222. Cedrik Christophersen
223. Odd Christian Eiking
224. Owen Geleijn
225. Jelle Johannink
226. Lander Loockx
227. Clément Venturini

Uno-X Mobility

231. Tobias Halland Johannessen
232. Markus Hoelgaard
233. Ådne Holter
234. Anders Halland Johannessen
235. Andreas Kron
236. Fredrik Dversnes Lavik
237. Anders Skaarseth

XDS Astana Team

241. Alberto Bettiol
242. Clément Champoussin
243. Anton Kuzmin
244. Marco Schrettl
245. Guillermo Thomas Silva
246. Davide Toneatti
247. Simone Velasco

Tom Pidcock's coach Kurt Bogaerts has said that the presence of Tadej Pogačar is something to be accepted and relished as a challenge, rather than something to complain about.

The Pinarello-Q36.5 head of performance was speaking to Dutch outlet Wielerflits about the Briton's approach to this weekend's Strade Bianche – a race that he won back in 2023 but which UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider Pogačar has made his own for the past two seasons.

"You're going to face him in all the big races, right?" Bogaerts said of the Slovenian. "So you have to deal with that. You have to try to be really good yourself and then see how you can battle him. I think something is definitely possible. If we aim for a good result, the rest will follow. We shouldn't complain. It's only good for the sport that Pogačar is interested in a wide range of races. Honestly, I like that."

He was responding to a comment suggesting it did not matter how well prepared Pidcock was, he would still have to face the defending champion.

Bogaerts added: "Last year, Tom went first. Not necessarily with the intention of anticipating, but mainly to play to his own strengths. Tom has a good sense of his capabilities, and then it's a matter of waiting to see how the opposition reacts. We're going to try to do that again. We're not averse to taking action ourselves, but we might end up in a scenario we have to follow."

He said Pidcock was "not losing any sleep" over a disappointing 48th place finish at Omloop Nieuwsblad, where he suffered with the cold after what Bogaerts said were poor clothing choices, and a crash.

"But he still managed to get back to the front from behind the last group. I don't really understand how he managed that… You can't do that if you're not in top form, I think," he said.

He called Strade Bianche "one of the races that [Pidcock] gets out of bed for" and is very passionate about. The Yorkshire rider has already done a recon ride himself, and the whole team is set to do another this week.

Things hadn't really "fallen into place" for Pidcock so far this year, said Bogaerts, with the issues at Omloop and a shortened Vuelta Murcia, for example. But his performance at the Ruta del Sol, where he won a stage, showed he was on good form.

Strade Bianche takes place this Saturday 7 March – if you want to follow the action, check out our streaming guide here.

The world champion Tadej Pogačar is "excited to get stuck in" on his season debut at Strade Bianche in Italy this Saturday.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG confirmed their roster for the race on Monday evening, including Pogačar and the six riders that will ride alongside him: Isaac Del Toro, Jan Christen, Felix Großschartner, Domen Novak, Florian Vermeersch and Kevin Vermaerke.

The four-time Tour de France champion has won the previous two editions of the race – three in total – crashing into a ditch with 50km to go last year, before attacking to win with an almost minute-and-a-half gap to Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5).

“Strade is a race where I have unforgettable memories,” Pogačar said in quotes attributed to him on the UAE Team Emirates-XRG website.

“My record there is pretty good and I hope that I will be in a good position again come Saturday. We expect there to be some strong rivals, the startlist is always at a high level for these big races and it should make things exciting for the fans.

“It is my first race of the season, and I hope to have a good start. I’ve been cheering on from the couch until now, so I’m excited to get stuck in myself again and finally race. The team has been on a good wave at the moment with many wins already and we hope to continue that over the next few races.”

The last time Pogačar competed was when he won Il Lombardia last October, almost five months ago. It was his last of 20 victories in 2025, which also included a second Tour of Flanders, a third Liège-Bastogne-Liège, four Tour de France stage wins, and both the world and European road titles.

Among the other riders on the start list for Strade Bianche are previous winners Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Pidcock, last year’s runner-up. There is also growing excitement around 19-year-old Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM), who is considered in his native France to be the heir to Pogačar’s throne.

This year’s Strade Bianche will be the 20th edition of the one-day race. It takes place in Tuscany, Italy, and counts 14 gravel sectors which cover 64km of the total 201km.

The men’s race will start in Siena at 11:40 local time, 10:40 UK time. It is expected to finish in the same city’s iconic Piazza del Campo around 16:30 local time, 15:30 UK time.

There were 63 men's and Women's WorldTour events in 2025, a whole range of races for exciting things to happen in. The truth is, I'm sure just like me, you don't remember most of them. If I concentrate hard enough, I can remember the Tours de France, and the ones I was at, but there are whole stage races which are a bit of a blur.

Do not worry then, for we're going to talk you through our favourite races of year, from the spectacular to the unexpected – hopefully some of these should jog your memory.

This is the penultimate piece in a series of pieces where we have compiled thoughts from across the CW staff about 2025, after our riders of the year, moments of the year, our alternative riders of the year, our bike rides of the year and our favourite places to ride full stop. Please let us know your thoughts!

Women’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad – Tom Davidson, senior news and features writer

Will they, won’t they? My jaw hit the floor a number of times while watching cycling this year, but none harder than when I realised Lotte Claes and Aurela Nero were going to stay away at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Neither rider had won a professional race before that March afternoon. Suddenly, each of them had a one-in-two chance of a WorldTour victory, and a key Classic at that.

Yes, the peloton probably miscalculated the chase; yes, there were some frustrated riders at the finish; but let that take nothing away from Arkéa B&B Hotels’ Claes, who wrote her name into legend at the line in Ninove. It would take another three and a half minutes until the group of favourites rolled in. It doesn’t happen often, but I love it when a doomed move pays off.

That race reminded me that, just when you think cycling might be getting predictable, the most dramatic, incredible things can happen.

Men's Dwars door Vlaanderen – Adam Becket, news editor

From a final group of four at Dwars door Vlaanderen in April, three in the yellow of Visma-Lease a Bike, Neilson Powless in pink somehow won. The slumped heads of Tiesj Benoot, Matteo Jorgenson and Wout van Aert said it all as they crossed the line.

No-one could blame them, really, for not understanding what had happened. After 184.2km of hard racing, in which the race-winning move had been set up around 80km from finish by Visma-Lease a Bike, who would have bet against the men in yellow? Van Aert was there, a man who has won bunch sprints of almost every kind, as well as Classics before. However, something weird happened when the Belgian opened up his sprint in Waregem. He just couldn't get up to speed. Powless, sprinting for his life, could, coming around Van Aert and into cycling immortality.

It was a reminder of how mad cycling is sometimes. It's not always predictable.

Men's junior road race at the World Championships – Hannah Bussey, tech writer

The men's junior road race at the World Championships was the biggest standout race for me. Harry Hudson made such an audacious move— got away and then just kept going. The only way that stuck is due to his 100 percent commitment to self-belief.

There is no way you can watch the last two and a half kilometers of that race without getting chills, with tears welling up, and the thought that he might actually do it and become the first British Men's Junior World Champion.

To see the rest of the GB lads still in the mix at the end also feels like a real showcase for the future generation of cyclists coming through the ranks right now.

Despite all the turmoil in the sport and cycling industry, this race was just pure joy to watch, even if it was a little tear-jerking towards the end. It's the happily-ever-after result most cyclists dream of, and it's so amazing to see someone's fairy tale come true.

Paris-Roubaix – Jamie Williams, video manager

Few races can get the heart going like a monument and this year Paris-Roubaix had everything a classic should: early attacks, crosswinds, crashes and a nail biting finale.

I was also extremely pleased to see Mathieu van der Poel come out on top, not because I don’t like Pogacar but rather because it now means he’s going to have to return next year to do it all over again, no one should win Roubaix on their debut!

Strade Bianche – Aaron Borrill, tech writer

It’s lived in the shadows of the older monuments for nearly two decades, but Strade Bianche has become one of the most beautiful races to watch, both for the physical challenge it presents and the sheer scenes it offers viewers. It’s my favourite race on the calendar.

From the glorious Tuscan hills, the sterrato or white gravel roads and epic dust left behind by the peloton or those brave enough to float off the front, there’s never a dull moment. And then you add Tadej Pogačar. It’s pure theatre.

Tour de France – James Shrubsall, senior news and features writer

This season saw me out working at Opening Weekend and at the Tour de France. As any race fan who has stood at the roadside cheering the riders on, or mingled with them around the start and finish areas knows, there's little substitute for that first person experience when it comes to connecting with a race.

Ergo, it will come as no surprise that for me the Tour was easily the most memorable race of the year for me. I wasn't in France for the entire race – only the third week, but from Mont Ventoux to Paris that week was a gift that kept on giving.

Memorable performances from double-winner Thymen Arensman, sprinter Jonathan Milan and Wout van Aert were of course underlined by a history-making GC victory from Tadej Pogacar. Once again, La Grande Boucle had delivered.

The Lloyds Tour of Britain Men – Meg Elliot, news and features writer

This was the first race I went to as a Cycling Weekly employee! It was, I was reliably informed, one of the most well attended the Tour had ever seen. Everyone was out in Geraint Thomas masks to welcome him home on his last professional race.

We watched the peloton form a guard of honour for the Welshman in rainy Newport before the race began, then hot footed it over to Cardiff to chat to people waiting to cheer Thomas across the line. One man I spoke to bought him dinner once after spotting him in a restaurant in Grangetown.

“To come from Maindy as a young lad and then win the Tour de France as well is incredible,” another guy told me, kids in tow.

Milan-San Remo - Matt Ischt-Barnard, ecomm and tech writer

Despite its usual ‘predictable’ finish and pointless first 250-plus kilometres, Milan-San Remo had one of the most iconic finishes the race has ever seen. Thanks yet again to one Tadej Pogačar. His fifth swing at trying to add the monument to his ever-growing list of palmarès, however, again ended in a podium but no cigar.

There is one moment that will live with me forever in this ‘Tadej’ era, though, in which Pogačar himself, Mathieu van der Poel and Filippo Ganna were clear at the top of the Cipressa and racing for the win. It gives me shivers to think about it now.

Let us not forget what Van der Poel did on this day, either, for he will now be forever known in history as the one who denied Tadej again.

For most cyclists, a skin-shredding crash into a thorn bush would be a moment to forget. But for Tadej Pogačar, it is a memory to be celebrated in the form of a t-shirt.

New to the world champion’s official web store, fans can now buy a limited edition, “commemorative” t-shirt depicting the moment he climbed out of a roadside ditch following his crash at Strade Bianche.

Pogačar went on to win the race, attacking solo with 20km to go and crossing the line bloodied and bruised. It marked his third victory at Strade Bianche, and one of the most dramatic wins of his career so far.

“This t-shirt is dedicated to this year’s special race on Strade Bianche, with the final victory and a witty thought,” the product description says. The witty thought comes in a line of text beneath the image of a dishevelled Pogačar, that reads: “It’s 8th March and you forgot to buy flowers” – 8 March is when Strade Bianche took place, and also the date of International Women’s Day.

For a more celebratory scene, the back of the t-shirt carries an image of Pogačar arriving in Siena’s Piazza del Campo, cheered by fans as he approached the line.

The t-shirt is available to buy online for €40.98 (£34.45 / $44.66), with part of the profits going to the Tadej Pogačar Foundation. The charity was launched last year by the two-time Tour de France winner, with the goal of raising funds to support people affected by natural disasters, and children with serious illnesses.

“It's no secret that I've made a lot of money from cycling in the last few years,” Pogačar said at the time of the launch. “When I was younger, I never imagined I would be so lucky. I honestly don't feel the most comfortable with this money.”

The Slovenian’s victory at Strade Bianche is his latest of 92 wins since he turned pro six years ago. “It’s not the best way to win a race,” he smiled afterwards, looking back on his heavy crash.

“I went too fast, I guess. I know this road very well, I've ridden it already now 20 times in my life, but sometimes you misjudge. I just slipped. Shit happens,” he continued.

The limited edition Strade Bianche t-shirt is available to buy now from the Tadej Pogačar Fan Shop.

Tirreno-Adriatico, otherwise known as the 'race of the two seas', is one of the key early season stage races on the men's WorldTour. Taking place at the same time as Paris-Nice, the race is a real chance for a lot of Grand Tour riders to showcase their form ahead of the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France.

Below, Cycling Weekly has laid out all the key information on broadcasters and live streams so you can watch Tirreno-Adriatico wherever you are.

Quick guide to watching Tirreno-Adriatico 2025

• UK: TNT Sports / Discovery+ (£30.99/mon)
• US: Max (from $9.99/mon)
• Canada: Flobikes ($39.99/mon)
• Free live stream: RAI (Italy)
• Anywhere: Watch your local stream from anywhere with NordVPN

How to watch Tirreno-Adriatico in the UK

In the UK, Tirreno-Adriatico will be shown on TNT Sports 1. This is a Warner Bros. Discovery's premium channel, which absorbed Eurosport's listings at the start of the month.

Tirreno-Adriatico can also be streamed on Discovery+, with a package now priced at £30.99 a month – it used to be £6.99.

TNT Sports is also £30.99 a month, but customers can get the channels cheaper with certain TV packages. Virgin Media customers, for example, can add it to their bundle for an additional £18 a month. Sky TV customers can do the same for an extra £30 a month. EE mobile customers can purchase TNT Sports as an add-on for £20 a month.

How to watch Tirreno-Adriatico in the US and Canada

For viewers in the US, this year's coverage of Tirreno-Adriatico is on Max.

Subscriptions are somewhat confusing, but right now start from $9.99 a month. In theory you need the B/R Sports add-on, which is another $9.99, but right now Max aren't enforcing this. That's because they're rolling it into a new $15.99 a month plan. Is that a discount or a price hike? Depends which way you look at it.

Flobikes is in charge of broadcasting the race in Canada (but US Flobikes subscribers will be locked out for rights reasons). Subscriptions cost CA$39.99 a month, with big savings for long-term plans. The Flobikes TV app is available on Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast and Apple TV, as well as on iOS and Android.

Can I watch Tirreno-Adriatico for free?

Fans in the host country of Italy can watch Tirreno-Adriatico for free thanks to public broadcaster RAI.

All Tirreno-Adriatico stages on RAI Sport, which you can watch onlin on the RAI Play web player,

Coverage is geo-restricted, so if you're not in Italy right now, you'll need a VPN to get your usual RAI coverage while abroad – more on that below.

How to watch Tirreno-Adriatico while abroad

Most streaming platforms have geo-restrictions these days, which means they only work in certain countries. But being locked out of the races is a thing of the past thanks to a VPN.

A Virtual Private Network is a piece of internet security software that can alter your device's location, so you can unblock your usual streaming services, even when you're abroad.

Want to know more? We have an explainer on the benefits, costs, and considerations of using a VPN...
– Should I use a VPN to watch cycling?

What to expect at Tirreno-Adriatico

Tirreno-Adriatico is one of the key early season stage races in which several big name riders will look to build on their form ahead of the Giro d'Italia. British riders Adam and Simon Yates will be looking to do just that, with the latter making his first appearance for his new team, Visma-Lease a Bike.

Several other high profile names are on the startlist, including Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), Tom Pidcock (Q36.5), Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), and Juan Ayuso (UAE Emirates).

Last year's winner, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) is not present due to riding Paris-Nice. Vingegaard took the overall title at Tirreno after winning to key mountain stages in the latter half of the week.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

“Bittersweet” was the word Tom Pidcock used to describe his emotions after Strade Bianche, where he went toe-to-toe with Tadej Pogačar, and ultimately finished second.

The 25-year-old vowed pre-race that he would do his best to rival the world champion, and delivered on his promise, attacking alongside him inside 80km to go.

After Pogačar crashed and rejoined the front of the race, Pidcock was then the last rider to hold his wheel, but couldn’t respond to an attack 20km from the line. The Brit, once a winner in Siena, went on to roll across the finish line one minute and 24 seconds down.

Asked to sum up his feelings afterwards, Pidcock said: “I’m quite tired, to be honest. Of course, I wanted to try and win. I think I did a good performance, let’s be honest. I came pretty close… I’m happy, but at the same time, I’m of course disappointed.”

Most of the attention in the build-up to the race focused on the world champion, but it was Pidcock who made the initial accelerations, and found himself leading solo after Pogačar’s crash.

The moment, Pidcock said, was “unfortunate” for his opponent, and after initially surging on, he chose to slow and wait.

“When he crashed, of course I carried on,” The Q36.5 rider said. “I didn’t know what was happening, but he was back on his bike, coming back, so of course I waited. He’s a competitor, he’s world champion, we respect that. You wait regardless of whether he’s world champion or not. He made a mistake, this is not how you take advantage in a race.

“Of course, it was still a long way to go, so obviously I didn’t want to ride that far on my own,” he added with a smile.

Pogačar’s win brought his third triumph at Strade Bianche, having already won the race in 2022 and 2024. His success follows a remarkable season last year, in which he collected 25 victories, including the 'Triple Crown' of the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and UCI World Championships.

“No one else has followed Tadej yet this year, or last year, apart from the Tour de France,” Pidcock said in Siena. “I’m happy. It’s a good step, but he still attacked and rode off. It’s bittersweet.”

Second best from a field of 174, the Brit's performance was testament to his renewed form this season, already with four wins to his name after leaving Ineos Grenadiers for Q36.5.

"We’re definitely going in the right direction," he said. "I’m enjoying this team, [having a] new coach, nutritionist, and doing the basics as well as possible since December, three months."

Not even a heavy crash could stop Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) from winning Strade Bianche on Saturday.

With rips peppered across his white skinsuit, the world champion came back from sliding dramatically into a ditch to win the Italian one-day race for a third time. The fall came with 50km to go, and after leading through the Tuscan hills with 2023 winner Tom Pidcock (Q36.5), Pogačar attacked solo inside 20km from the line.

He arrived in Siena’s Piazza del Campo alone, bloodied and bruised. A sector of gravel will now be named in his honour – the reward for collecting three victories, and a memento by which to remember one of his most gripping victories.

"I enjoyed it until I crossed the finish line," Pogačar said post-race. "Now the adrenaline has worn off and I'm starting to feel a lot of pain. It’s not the best way to win a race, but a win is a win. Let’s hope it’s nothing worse than it looks. All should be fine."

Pogačar's crash came suddenly and unexpectedly, a rare lapse of judgement from the world champion. Asked how it happened, he said: "I went too fast, I guess. I know this road very well, I've ridden it already now 20 times in my life, but sometimes you misjudge. I just slipped. Shit happens.

"For a moment, I didn’t know if I was ok. The bike was not working, so I had to change the bike. I was a bit worried, because when you crash, the body takes a lot from you. But I still had enough to finish it off."

Despite his crash, Pogačar’s victory brought the fastest edition of Strade Bianche on record, with a winning speed of 40.705km/h.

Pidcock finished a valiant second, one minute and 24 seconds down. Pogačar's UAE Team Emirates XRG teammate, Tim Wellens, rounded out the podium.

How it happened

A ten-rider breakaway formed on the first of 16 sterrati - gravel roads – counting among them Brits Lewis Askey (Groupama FDJ), Connor Swift (Ineos Grenadiers) and Mark Donovan (Q36.5).

The sector came within just 15km of the flag drop, on a course that had been made even tougher by the organisers this year, now comprising 81.7km of gravel, with five added stretches.

It was on the Monte Sante Marie, 80km from the line, where Pogačar went solo and won last year. Now dressed in the rainbow jersey, the Slovenian made his move there again, reacting to an acceleration by Pidcock. The pair then picked off the remnants of the early breakaway to lead the race, before Swift fought his way back to join them.

Heading towards Siena, the front three settled into a comfortable, albeit fast, rhythm. Suddenly, with 50km to go, Pogačar slipped on a high-speed descent, crashing hard and sliding into a thorn bush at the side of the road. He reemerged dishevelled, snagging his foot out of the branches.

With tears in his white skinsuit, blood down his left side, and one bibshort leg hoisted up his thigh, the world champion remounted his bike and set out viciously in pursuit. Little did he know, Pidcock had slowed to wait for him up ahead. Swift, who ground to a halt when Pogačar crashed, then dropped away.

Over the ensuing sectors, Pogačar’s confidence appeared to falter. He slowed into corners, and sat back off Pidcock’s wheel, giving the impression the crash had affected him mentally as well as physically.

Inside 20km to go, however, the Slovenian was back to his old antics. Passing back through the corner he crashed on, at the foot of the Colle Pinzuto, he sprung away from Pidcock and skipped solo across the terrain.

The gap immediately stretched out. Ten seconds, 30 seconds, one minute. By the time he arrived to the final climb, the steeply-banked Via Santa Caterina, Pidcock was out of sight behind, and Pogačar waved to the crowds lining the paved road.

He then posted up beyond the finish line and waited for his teammate, Wellens, to celebrate two UAE Team Emirates XRG riders on the podium.

Results

Strade Bianche 2025 (213km)

1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo), UAE Team Emirates XRG, in 5:13:58
2. Tom Pidcock (GBr), Q36.5, +1:24
3. Tim Wellens (Bel), UAE Team Emirates XRG, +2:12
4. Ben Healy (Irl), EF Education-EasyPost, +3:23
5. Pello Bilbao (Esp), Bahrain Victorious, +4:20
6. Magnus Cort (Den), Uno-X, +4:26
7. Gianni Vermeersch (Bel), Alpecin-Deceuninck, +4:29
8. Michael Valgren (Den), EF Education-EasyPost, +4:37
9. Lennert Van Eetvelt (Bel), Lotto, +4:47
10. Roger Adrià (Esp), Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, +5:06

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) fell victim to a rare crash at Strade Bianche on Saturday, sliding across the road and into a ditch.

The incident came with 50km to go in the race, when the world champion was leading in a trio with Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) and Connor Swift (Ineos Grenadiers).

Applying pressure on a sweeping downhill bend, Pogačar's back wheel appeared to give way, and his bike slid underneath him, sending him barrelling into a bush at the roadside.

He reemerged seconds later, snagging his foot on the branches, with grazes down his left side and rips across his white skinsuit.

After a bike swap, the Slovenian gritted his teeth and stormed back to rejoin the front of the race. He then went into the final 45km alongside Pidcock, who had slowed to wait for him.

Come the end of the race, Pogačar had his arms in the air, the victor for a third time at the Italian Classic.

Asked to explain the crash post-race, he said: "I went too fast, I guess. I know this road very well, I've ridden it already now 20 times in my life, but sometimes you misjudge. I just slipped. Shit happens.

"For a moment, I didn’t know if I was ok. The bike was not working, so I had to change the bike. I was a bit worried, because when you crash, the body takes a lot from you. But I still had enough to finish it off.”

After the crossing the line, and celebrating with his team, Pogačar said the adrenaline had begun to wear off and he was "starting to feel a lot of pain".

"It’s not the best way to win a race, but a win is a win," he said. "Let’s hope it’s nothing worse than it looks. All should be fine."

Demi Vollering ended a four-year streak for SD Worx-Protime at Strade Bianche, outsprinting her former coach, Anna van der Breggen, to earn her first WorldTour win as an FDJ-Suez rider.

The 28-year-old, who previously won the Italian Classic in 2023, attacked Van der Breggen with 400m to go on the final climb of the Via Santa Caterina. Afterwards, she hugged her team boss, Stephen Delcourt, smiling as she shouted “we f****** did it!” into the Tuscan air.

The two Dutchwomen shot away from the rest of the pack on the final gravel sector, within 20km from the line. Steely faced, the duo swapped through turns, coming to a final showdown on the race's closing ramp.

Having taken pole position at the foot of the climb, Van der Breggen proved helpless to Vollering's final blow, which saw her float away to win by 18 seconds.

“I’m super happy. I knew I was good beforehand, and everyone expected it from me before the race already started, but to do it is another thing," Vollering said.

"You have so much pressure, and you really, really want to finish it off, not only for yourself, but for your teammates, family, friends, everybody that’s behind you.”

When the Dutchwoman won the race two years ago, she did so in a two-up sprint with her then teammate Lotte Kopecky. This time, she was up was against another ally, her former coach and sports director during her time at SD Worx-Protime, who has now returned to the peloton from a three-year retirement.

“It’s fun to race against Anna," Vollering said. "It feels like the old days when I started, so it’s a good reminder for myself how much I’ve grown over the years. It’s good to battle it out against her again.”

How it happened

In the absence of the defending champion, Kopecky, the toughest edition ever of the women’s Strade Bianche left Siena on Saturday morning on a 136km out-and-back loop. The course offered 13 gravel sectors – up from eight last year – totalling 50.3km.

The first snippet of drama came with 61km to go, when pre-race favourite Vollering suffered a flat tire. After dismounting, the Dutchwoman soon rejoined the peloton, but the moment stood as a reminder of the terrain’s unpredictability.

It wasn’t only the gravel that posed its risks. On a sweeping right-hand bend 50km from the line, Tour de France avec Zwift champion Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) crashed on the tarmac and into a barrier. She was quickly attended to by doctors, but had to abandon the race, which accelerated away up the road.

The bad luck then befell another key contender in Pauline Ferrand Prévot (Visma-Lease a Bike). Having shot across to a small front group, Ferrand-Prévot took charge of pushing the pace – too hard, it seemed, as she slid out on a corner. The Frenchwoman then sprung back to her feet and dashed back to lead the breakaway again, blood seeping from her thigh and elbow.

Unwilling to risk a repeat of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, where the leash to the breakaway snapped and the leaders rode away, Juliette Labous (Groupama FDJ) began ploughing into the one-minute deficit inside the final 20km.

Labous’s teammate, Vollering, chose the penultimate gravel sector, Colle Pinzuto, as her launchpad to bridge across. The attack, however, didn’t prove as impactful as hoped, unable to shake off Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Van der Breggen.

"My chain dropped, so that was a cross through that plan," Vollering later explained of the stunted move. "I just kept calm, Juliette was there again, and she did another really strong lead-out. I went again full gas."

By that time, the Dutchwoman's group had joined with Ferrand-Prévot's at the front of the race, and Van der Breggen had slung-shot herself clear on the descent of the final stretch of gravel. The road then kicked up again, allowing Vollering to claw her way back to the front, and set up the finale with her former coach.

It was the FDJ-Suez rider who led under the flamme rouge and onto the Via Santa Caterina. Van der Breggen then took pole position, but fell victim to a trademark Vollering kick with 400m to go.

"She’s the best rider in the world for a finish line like this," FDJ-Suez team boss Delcourt said afterwards. The 18-second time difference across the line stood as testament to the point.

With a smile on her face, Van der Breggen crossed the line in second, only her sixth race day since returning. "I'm really happy that I was able to do this until deep into the final," she said afterwards.

Ferrand-Prévot finished third, almost two minutes in arrears.

Results

Strade Bianche Donne 2025 (136km)

1. Demi Vollering (Ned), FDJ-Suez, in 3:49:04
2. Anna van der Breggen (Ned), SD Worx-Protime, +18s
3. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Fra), Visma-Lease a Bike, +1:42
4. Juliette Labous (Fra), FDJ-Suez, at same time
5. Mavi García (Esp), Liv AlUla Jayco, +1:47
6. Yara Kastelijn (Ned), Fenix-Deceuninck, +1:48
7. Puck Pieterse (Ned), Fenix-Deceuninck, +1:49
8. Niamh Fisher-Black (NZl), Lidl Trek, +1:54
9. Noemi Rüegg (Sui), EF Education-Oatly, +1:55
10. Silke Smulders (Ned), Liv AlUla Jayco, +1:59

There’s no shame in finishing second to Tadej Pogačar – that’s the message from XDS Astana’s Alberto Bettiol, who has said the world champion is “almost impossible to beat” in the lead-up to Strade Bianche.

Pogačar is the overwhelming favourite to win the Italian Classic on Saturday, having already won it twice in his career with long-range attacks. Faced with the prospect of another Slovenian onslaught, Bettiol said “there’s nothing we can do” to stave it off.

“I honestly don’t think there’s anyone on the Strade Bianche start list who can even try to stay with him,” the Italian told Cyclingnews.

"He makes cycling beautiful to watch because he's as good as Eddy Merckx and is smashing all the records. The 'ugly' side of racing against Pogačar is that you line up for a race knowing that it's almost impossible to beat him.”

Pogačar claimed 25 victories in 2024 – more than any other rider – including the 'Triple Crown' of the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and UCI World Championships. At only 26 years old, he is considered to be one of the greatest cyclists of all time, if not the greatest, and was recently nominated for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award.

“Being beaten by Pogačar is not a dishonour, it's a 'success' to remember and cherish when we are old and retired and talk to our kids about our career and we understand just how good Pogačar was during his career,” Bettiol said.

The Italian’s comments echo those of other riders last season, including Primož Roglič, who judged Pogačar to be “unbeatable”.

"Where he is at the moment, Tadej is really unbeatable, or it's hard to compete," Roglič said in November. "I like to win, but the reality is quite clear. Tadej has a couple of gears more.”

Last March, too, after Pogačar laid waste to the Volta a Catalunya, winning four stages and the overall, the peloton resigned themselves to his supremacy.

“For sure I cannot compete,” said then Cofidis rider Guillaume Martin, “and I don’t think any rider here can compete with him.” Similarly, Visma-Lease a Bike’s Attila Valter said Pogačar is in an “extra zone” above everyone else.

Such is the mentality of professional athletes, though, that few will go into an event competing for second place. "It's hard to beat Mr Pogi but you've got to try," Lidl-Trek's Quinn Simmons told Cyclingnews in Siena. "We're not going to sit back and let him ride away at Strade. That's the most likely outcome but we're not going to gift it to him."

Strade Bianche is scheduled to take place this Saturday 8 March, counting 16 gravel sectors on an out-and-back route from Siena, Italy. Coverage of the men’s race will begin at 13:00 in the UK (08:00 ET in the US), immediately after the women’s race in the morning.

Strade Bianche, the second WorldTour one-day race of the season, has quickly become one of the best races of the year in its short lifetime. Iconic for its white roads - the eponymous strade bianche - the event takes place over sectors of white gravel roads before finishing in Siena. Its known for its beauty as well as its brutality.

Below, Cycling Weekly has laid out all the key information on broadcasters and live streams so you can watch Strade Bianche wherever you are.

Quick guide to watching Strade Bianche 2025

• UK: TNT Sports / Discovery+ (£30.99/mon)
• US: Max (from $9.99/mon)
• Canada: Flobikes ($39.99/mon)
• Australia: SBS (Free)
• Free live stream: SBS (Australia), RAI (Italy), Sporza, Auvio (Belgium)
• Anywhere: Watch your local stream from anywhere with NordVPN

Can I watch Strade Bianche for free?

Fans in Australia, Italy and Belgium can watch Strade Bianche for free thanks to broadcasters in their regions.

In Australia, Strade Bianche will be shown on TV and online by SBS, the country's public service broadcaster. Head to SBS On Demand to start streaming.

In Italy, the race is with public broadcaster RAI on their RAI Play web player, while Flemish and French speaking Belgians are both catered for through VRT/Sporza and RTBF/Auvio respectively.

Coverage is geo-restricted, so if you're not in any of these countries right now, and these channels are your usual port of call, you'll need a VPN to get your usual coverage while abroad – more on that below.

How to watch Strade Bianche while abroad

Most streaming platforms have geo-restrictions these days, which means they only work in certain countries. But being locked out of the races is a thing of the past thanks to a VPN.

A Virtual Private Network is a piece of internet security software that can alter your device's location, so you can unblock your usual streaming services, even when you're abroad.

Want to know more? We have an explainer on the benefits, costs, and considerations of using a VPN...
– Should I use a VPN to watch cycling?

How to watch Strade Bianche in the UK

In the UK, Strade Bianche will be shown on TNT Sports 3. This is a Warner Bros. Discovery's premium channel, which absorbed Eurosport's listings at the start of the month.

Strade Bianche can also be streamed on Discovery+, with a package now priced at £30.99 a month – it used to be £6.99.

TNT Sports is also £30.99 a month, but customers can get the channels cheaper with certain TV packages. Virgin Media customers, for example, can add it to their bundle for an additional £18 a month. Sky TV customers can do the same for an extra £30 a month. EE mobile customers can purchase TNT Sports as an add-on for £20 a month.

How to watch Strade Bianche in the US and Canada

For viewers in the US, this year's coverage of Strade Bianche is on Max.

Subscriptions are somewhat confusing, but right now start from $9.99 a month. In theory you need the B/R Sports add-on, which is another $9.99, but right now Max aren't enforcing this. That's because they're rolling it into a new $15.99 a month plan. Is that a discount or a price hike? Depends which way you look at it.

Flobikes is in charge of broadcasting the race in Canada (but US Flobikes subscribers will be locked out for rights reasons). Subscriptions cost CA$39.99 a month, with big savings for long-term plans. The Flobikes TV app is available on Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast and Apple TV, as well as on iOS and Android.

What to expect at Strade Bianche

Strade Bianche is the second step in the Classics season, a warm-up for what's later to come in the season, but also a fantastic event in and of itself. It's such a good race that many think it should be the sixth Monument, elevating it to the same status as Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.

The defending champion, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) will be on the start line, alongside 2023 winner Tom Pidcock (Q36.5). In the women's race, there is no Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) but there are former champions Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) and Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ).

Last year, Pogačar attacked to victory from 80km out, so many will be hoping for closer men's edition this year, while it'll be a battle of the Tour de France Femmes contenders in the women's, through Vollering and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto).

What time is Strade Bianche on? Schedule

The coverage of Strade Bianche in the UK runs from 10.30am-1pm GMT for the women's race, followed by 1pm-4.30pm GMT for the men's race.

In the US, Strade will be live at 5.30am-8am for the women's event, and 8am-11:30am (ET).

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Tom Pidcock will ride seven major Classics and two small stage races this spring for Q36.5 Pro Cycling, it was announced on Wednesday.

Posting on Instagram, Pidcock confirmed that his next competitive outing will be the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol which starts on 19 February. He will then ride Omloop Het Nieuwsblad as part of the traditional Opening Weekend in Belgium before then lining up at Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan-San Remo in March.

The 25-year-old won Strade Bianche in 2023 and has the profile of someone who could contend at Milan-San Remo, an all-rounder.

Pidcock also made a surprise appearance at last April’s Paris-Roubaix but will not make a return to the cobbles this time out, with no Tour of Flanders on his schedule either. His Q36.5 team have been invited to both.

The Yorkshireman will compete in the Ardennes Classics at the end of April and return to De Brabantse Pijl and the Amstel Gold Race, two races he won during his time at Ineos Grenadiers. He will then wrap up his spring campaign with La Flèche Wallonne and Liège–Bastogne–Liège on 23 and 27 April.

Pidcock’s move from Ineos to Q36.5 was the most talked about transfer of the off-season. Competing in his new team’s colours for the first time, the Yorkshireman won two individual stages and the overall classification at the AlUla Tour in Saudi Arabia.

After his victory in the desert, Pidcock heaped praise on his new teammates and the togetherness they had shown as a group in order to seal the win.

"Someone told me the expression that fits is 'a rising tide lifts all boats'," he wrote on Instagram. "This team is the rising tide and everyone involved has lifted their game. I could not be more proud of the boys and the whole team right now! Excited for what’s to come."

The victory marked Pidcock's first-ever GC win as a professional.

"I didn't know any of these guys until December, and some of them I only met in January, so what we already do together and how we do it is incredible actually," he said in a post-race interview. "As an U23, I could do this, but it's taken me a while as an elite. To be honest, it's a big step in my career.

"The concentration it takes at this level to defend a lead every day, and this isn't a WorldTour race; it's only five days, I definitely realise how hard it is, but I think it's a big step."

81km to go. 81km to go. Not an attack with 50km to go, as he did in 2022, but 81km to go. That’s how far Tadej Pogačar attacked from to win Strade Bianche on Saturday, an almost unbelievable distance to attack from. Two hours of riding alone, in one of the toughest professional bike races, to take the win. In his first race of 2024, to boot. This isn’t how cycling is supposed to happen, surely, it is not meant to look this easy for one rider.

One reads about rides like Bernard Hinault's at a snowy Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 1980, or Eddy Merckx's repeated long-distance attacks, like at the Tour of Flanders in 1969, and it feels too good to be true, but history was made in Tuscany in 2024. Just like Chris Froome's escape to win the 2018 Giro d'Italia, Pogačar's ride will be remembered.

Surprisingly, it didn’t even look like an explosive, race-detonating move from the UAE Team Emirates rider, it just looked like the Slovenian rolling off the front of the peloton. The sign that it was ridiculous was that no one could follow, not Vuelta a España champion Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike), not last year’s winner Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers).

The extra distance clearly had a major impact on the race. Combined with some horrid weather in Tuscany on Saturday afternoon, the race was ready to be decided after 135km of the new 215km-long course. All it took was one dig from Pogačar and the race was over. It was finely poised, like a Jenga tower late-on in a game. All the Slovenian did was push the right block. Oh, and be quite good at riding his Colnago.

It helps that he is the best bike rider in the world, but so many previous "rules" of bike racing were proved wrong in this ride. Pogačar had not ridden yet in 2024, there was no "riding into form" here. He didn't think twice about attacking with two hours to go of the race; at no point did it seem like it was too much, either. 

Pre-race, he said that he was going to attack on the Monte Sante Marie, but this was a joke. In reality, this is exactly what he did. It must be nice, being that powerful, and also having the bravery to just try it.

"I don’t know why," he said when asked why he attacked where he did.

"The race was really fast from the start and it was already quite selective super early," he continued. "I don’t think that anyone expected that. Then we came to Monte Sante Marie and there was a hailstorm and really tough conditions. 

"There were no more resources left in the group with 25 riders and my team made it super hard and there was a moment when you couldn’t see anything, it was so muddy, and I decided to go on the attack there. I knew it was going to be long but when I had a gap I knew that I had to go until the end."

"At first, I was feeling good, really good, and the team did a super job but I could see it was going to be tough to the finish," he said. "When it was really raining a lot I felt good and decided to go solo."

In a second, Pogačar "decided to go solo", push that Jenga brick, and everything came tumbling down. He decided to see better, just like the Duke of Kent urges King Lear in the play of the same name. For the rest of the field, there was very little to be done, as everything seemed so straightforward for the Slovenian.

"It’s a pity that against Tadej there’s not much you can do," Toms Skujiņš, who finished second, said after one of the performances of his career. 

Tom Pidcock said much the same, in a revealing television interview.

"Even before Tadej attacked it was full gas, when he attacked it felt like we were in the grupetto," the 2023 winner said, who finished fourth this year, but three minutes behind Pogačar. "There were just dead bodies everywhere and I waited too long, it was a case of too little too late. If I’d played it a bit better I could have been second so I don’t really have any words for that." 

"When Tadej went I thought there was no real point in going then, because there was still 80km to go and I was not wanting to go into the red, people were just going off like it was the old circuit, I waited too long in the end," he continued.

"If the race was increased by an extra 30km and it’s flat then ok, but when you add 30km more of the same type of racing then you’re not really racing anymore it feels more attritional."

Saturday was seemingly rough for everyone but Pogačar, who cruised to victory in Siena. Next, the Slovenian moves onto Milan-San Remo in a fortnight's time, where he will have the chance to take a fourth monument. Who knows what rules he will break there.

Tadej Pogačar cruised to victory at Strade Bianche on Saturday, despite attacking with over 81km to go to take the win by almost three minutes.

The UAE Team Emirates rider was racing for the first time this season, but showed no signs of rustiness on the roads of Tuscany, as he attacked with over two hours of action left to go, taking his second win in Siena.

Behind, there was no sign of an organised chase despite the amount of time left in the race, as the gap simply extended. Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dsnty) and Toms Skujiņš (Lidl-Trek) became the duo who raced for second, escaping the chasing group, but never got closer than two and a half minutes to Pogačar. Skujiņš attacked on the run in to Siena to take second, in front of Van Gils.

The Slovenian won Strade the last time he raced, in 2022, after an attack from over 50km out. This time, he went from even further out, moving off the front with 81km still to be ridden. It was not even explosive, but a subtle escape, which could not be stopped.

There was much debate ahead of this year’s edition about the length of the route, after it was extended over 200km for the first time, but that did not seem to affect Pogačar, who simply rode away from the field.

In the end, the 25-year-old won by over three minutes, starting his 2024 off in the perfect way. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The riders departed Siena with a dubious weather forecast ahead of them, with rain threatening to make the gravel sectors trickier than they already are.

Various attacks in the opening 50km came to little, before a break was finally allowed to go with 176km left, one which was unlikely to last the course, especially given it was longer in 2024.

However, due to the added kilometres and the inclement weather, the race proved incredibly attritional, with just 25 riders left in the front group with just under 100km to go. The first 80km to go were brutal. 

It was from this reduced group that meaningful attacks started flying. One of the first was Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), who was caught after work from Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates).

With his team pulling on the front of the “peloton”, effectively the group of favourites, that Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) rolled off the front. Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) attempted to hold his wheel, but couldn’t, and it then simply became a question of who would finish second in Siena.

The gap grew to a minute and a half very quickly, then to two, then over three, and by the end almost five over the favourites.

Behind Pogačar, there was seemingly little in the way of a coordinated chase, likely because of the rate of attrition which left most teams with just one or two riders in the chasing group.

Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) was notable in the chasing group for his attempts at getting away, but the gap to Pogačar never came down in a useful way.

Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dsnty) was one of the most active, attacking multiple times before finally getting away. He was joined by Toms Skujiņš (Lidl-Trek), and that pair became the battle for second.

Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers), last year’s winner, also attacked from the chasing group, but could not put any meaningful time into his fellow chasers, not getting closer than a minute to Van Gils and Skujiņš.

Results

STRADE BIANCHE 2024: SIENA > SIENA (215KM)

1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates, in 5:19:45
2. Toms Skujiņš (Lat) Lidl-Trek, +2:44
3. Maxim Van Gils (Bel) Lotto-Dsnty, +2:47
4. Tom Pidcock (GBr) Ineos Grenadiers, +3:50
5. Matej Mohorič (Slo) Bahrain-Victorious, +4:26
6. Benoît Cosnefroy (Fra) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, +4:39
7. Davide Formolo (Ita) Movistar, +4:41
8. Lenny Martinez (Fra) Groupama-FDJ, +4:48
9. Filippo Zana (Ita) Jayco AlUla, +4:49
10. Christophe Laporte (Fra) Visma-Lease a Bike, +5:17

Two years after her first victory at the race, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) returned to the top step at Strade Bianche on Saturday, this time in the world champion’s jersey. 

The Belgian attacked with 10km to go in Tuscany, together with Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek), who she dispatched on the double-figure gradients of Siena’s Via Santa Caterina. 

"I waited a little bit longer [to attack on the final climb]," Kopecky said afterwards, her jersey speckled with mud. "But yeah, I think it was the right moment.

"I'm more confident, but I didn't have my best day today," the 28-year-old continued. "I really suffered the whole day, but I didn't get any worse. The whole day I felt pretty tired, but it didn't get any worse during the race. I've had this before, and I just tried to not panic and trust that the legs will be there." 

Last year’s winner, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime), followed the duo in third, ahead of Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-Sram), who lit up the race on the final gravel sector.

How it happened

The women's peloton set out early from Siena on Saturday morning on a 137km route across Tuscany’s sterrato, dampened and muddied by the rain. A total of 40km of gravel awaited the riders, 8km more than last year, with a tougher sequence of climbs in the finale.

The first half of the race passed uneventfully. With 53km to go, an 11-rider group wriggled clear, notably counting Lizzie Deignan (Lidl-Trek) and European champion Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime).

Behind, clearly concerned by the move, a large chasing group led by Kopecky and Vollering set off from the peloton in pursuit. They closed the gap with 32km remaining, leaving Amber Kraak (FDJ-Suez), Alena Amialiusik (UAE Team ADQ) and Riejanne Markus (Visma-Lease a Bike) out front. The trio were then caught with 21km to go.

Lidl-Trek took control onto the penultimate gravel section, Colle Pinzuto, grinding up its steep tracks and shedding riders from the group. A handful of leg-testing attacks came here, before Longo Borghini surged over the top, taking with her defending champion Vollering, Niewiadoma and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike).

The move, however, came to nothing, and the front groups fused back together with 14km to go.

Fittingly, it was the gravel world champion Niewiadoma who laid waste on the final sector, Le Tolfe. The Polish rider ripped the front of the race to shreds, whittling it down to just five contenders: Vollering, Kopecky, Longo Borghini, Shirin van Anrooij (Lidl-Trek) and herself.

Kopecky then looked to capitalise on tired legs, attacking with 10km to go. Only Longo Borghini, the Italian champion, could follow the Belgian, latching onto her wheel as if attached by wire.

The duo carried an 18-second advantage under the 5km to go banner. At that moment, Kopecky tossed her bottle to the side of the road, stretched her back and shook out her legs, poised for the finale. 

The world champion stalked Longo Borghini into the foot of the final climb, Siena's narrow Via Santa Caterina. Then, with 500m to go, she thrashed out of her saddle to solo clear. 

The Lidl-Trek rider fought back valiantly, but lost sight of Kopecky on the twisting entry to the Piazza del Campo, leaving her to celebrate alone over the line.

Results

STRADE BIANCHE WOMEN 2024: SIENA > SIENA (137km)

1. Lotte Kopecky (Bel) SD Worx-Protime, in 3:55:43
2. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Lidl-Trek, +4
3. Demi Vollering (Ned) SD Worx-Protime, +26
4. Kasia Niewiadoma (Pol) Canyon-Sram, s.t.
5. Shirin van Anrooij (Ned) Lidl-Trek, +40
6. Kristen Faulkner (USA) EF Education-Cannondale, +41
7. Riejanne Markus (Ned) Visma-Lease a Bike, +1:01
8. Elise Chabbey (Sui) Canyon-Sram, +1:54
9. Marianne Vos (Ned) Visma-Lease a Bike, s.t.
10. Évita Muzic (Fra) FDJ-Suez, s.t.

This year’s Strade Bianche adjusted course favours climbers, Matej Mohorič has said, ahead of the Classic on Saturday.

Recent editions of the Italian Classic have been won by lighter, more explosive riders like Tom Pidcock and Tadej Pogačar. Mohorič believes that the addition of an extra loop in the final part of the course puts the race even more in their favour. 

After not landing the results he had hoped for at Opening Weekend - 24th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, and 79th at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, Mohorič told Cycling Weekly on Friday that he is hungry to put that right, starting tomorrow.

"I think my condition is on a pretty good level but the results were far from what I'd hoped for," he said. "So this gives me extra motivation and extra focus to try and do my best tomorrow. 

"Although tomorrow is quite a bit different, compared to the two races in Belgium that I've done, especially with the extra loop they've added in the final, it really tips the scales in favour of climbers even more, especially if the race opens up early. 

"So I will see how I go, it's going to be a little bit of a journey into the unknown for everyone but yeah, we'll see how we manage."

Last time out at Strade, Mohorič finished sixth behind Pidcock. Despite the alteration to the course this year, the Slovenian explained that he sees little need to adjust his plan of attack. 

"I’ll do nothing different really,” he said. "You just have to try to be the best that you can on the day and also need to avoid any mishaps and then having to chase back on and then just hope to still have something left for the final. 

"But I do really think that this addition or change to the course will significantly affect the race and it will become a little bit different I think."

The new course has not escaped the attention of Pidcock, either. "The change in course this year is certainly going to change the dynamic of the race a lot," the 24-year-old said on Friday. "The race wasn’t crying out for extra kilometres so it will make it that extra bit harder that’s for sure. 40 km from Le Tolfe feels a long way."

Both Pidcock and Pogačar won the race with long distance attacks. Mohorič is expecting much the same this year.

"When you are in the heat of the race, it's hard to hold yourself back," he explained. "Especially having experience from the past years, I would be surprised if most riders would wait longer before they go for it."

Earlier this week, Pidcock’s coach told Cycling Weekly that Pogačar’s presence on the startline won’t mean that Ineos Grenadiers need to do anything differently. The two-time Tour de France champion sat last year’s race out but his return has automatically seen him branded as the favourite.

Mohorič agreed with Ineos’ approach, saying that the only point at which Pogačar’s presence would matter is if he is present in a select group as the race gets closer to Siena.

He said: "It's Tadej's first race [of the year], so of course, he's the ultimate favourite, but he might also not go as well as everyone expects, or he might we don't know. But for me, for Tadej to be there doesn't change anything.

"It's a WorldTour race, it's one of the most beautiful races of the calendar and that's already enough to keep the motivation high and for everyone to give their best and then inevitably, all of that leads to the fact that it's a trophy that everyone inevitably wants.

"So there's many guys who end up being very good on the day and Tadej being there or not being there doesn't change much.

"I'm not going to pull equal turns with him to the finish because then I'm going to lose the race you know but apart from that it doesn't change anything."

Demi Vollering believes that the revamped Strade Bianche course could give SD Work-Protime an advantage on Saturday, as they look to defend the title that Vollering won last year. 

The Dutch team head into the Italian Classic after already landing seven victories this season, including an overall win at the UAE Tour through the current world champion, Lotte Kopecky. However, they did not win on Opening Weekend, after winning both Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Omloop van het Hageland in 2023.

Vollering won Strade last season after dramatically outsprinting Kopecky in Siena’s Piazza del Campo. A photo finish was required to declare Vollering the winner, after some apparent frostiness between the pair. The day had already been dramatic, with a horse running onto the course in front of Vollering.  

"The revamped course of Strade Bianche might play into our hands," Vollering said. "We are doing the last three steep final strips twice. That means more kilometres, more altimeters and more gravel. So it will be spicy. It makes the race a lot tougher.” 

In 2023, the women’s race consisted of 136 kilometres and covered eight of the famous gravel sectors. This year, the organiser has added more gravel to the route meaning that the riders will now face 12 sectors instead. 

"It feels like Strade Bianche [last year] brought us closer together," Vollering said of the relationship between her and Kopecky. "It has strengthened our collaboration. I really enjoyed going for the highest possible result together with Lotte every race last season. 

“It also never felt like we had to 'divide' races. It went very naturally. She won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, I was the best in the Strade Bianche. She won Ronde van Vlaanderen, after which I triumphed again in the Amstel Gold Race."

“What stays with me most of all is how we dominated as a team. That's why I don't see it as my victory, but that of the whole team,” she added.

Heading into Saturday’s action in Tuscany, Vollering said that she feels comparisons with last season are fruitless and that missing out at Omloop had put the team “on edge” as they look to pick up their first victory in Europe this year.

"Everyone is starting from scratch again," she said. "We shouldn't make comparisons with last year. The goal remains the same: to improve myself and try to be the best. In the Strade Bianche, Team SD Worx-Protime will be looking for its first classic win of 2024. 

“In Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, we just missed out. If I was in the first group, it might have been different. But still we showed a strong race. So I don't feel we are weak now. We are as strong as ever.”

Tadej Pogačar’s presence on the Strade Bianche start line on Saturday will change nothing for the defending champion, Tom Pidcock, according to his Ineos Grenadiers coach.

Pidcock returns to Tuscany this weekend after emphatically winning the one day Italian Classic 12 months ago. This time round, he’ll go up against Pogačar, who won Strade Bianche himself two years ago, in a similar fashion; both won from 50km solo attacks.

Kurt Bogaerts told Cycling Weekly on Thursday that the presence of the Slovenian two-time Tour de France champion doesn't mean that Ineos need to do anything differently.

"No, I don't think that changes anything,” he said. "You just need to try to be the best you can be on the day, you try to have your team the best it can be on the day, and Pogačar there or not, I don't think it changes a lot.

"In races of this level, when you aim to try to do a good result, you try to be on your best and I don't think that changes anything. You start from yourself as an individual and as your team to be as prepared as good as you can and the same as last year. During the race you deal with your opponents and that's it.” 

Bogaerts explained that returning to the race as the defending champion adds little by way of extra pressure for Pidcock. 

"He proved last year that he is able to win this race and I don't really think that adds more pressure, it's more a confirmation that you're able to win a certain level of race and the race that he was really aiming for,” he said. “I think that it's more of a relief that he won this race already and I think it's a positive situation for him, I don't think it adds any pressure. 

"It's a race he really likes, it fits with his characteristics and it's always been a race from the start of his pro career that he was looking forward to. The first year he rode it, he was quite good already, and that just gave him motivation and confirmation. So it will be a race that I think I see him doing many times because he just loves the characteristics of this race and it's good fun for him. 

"It's a good fit. It's a very hard race with some technical parts. It's iconic and consists of many things he likes as a cyclist.” 

After an explosive start to the Classics season at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad last weekend, in which Pidcock finished eighth, Bogaerts said he is expecting Strade Bianche to unfold in a similarly high octane fashion. 

He said: "I think we've seen recently that the races are very aggressive and I expect nothing less [on Saturday]. So you need to be prepared for that as a team, not only Tom, but as a team. 

"I think if you look at last Saturday after 44 kilometres I think there was a 24 man group up the road. We were represented with four riders so that gave us a good boost. I think that's a little bit how the current racing is going and this one is harder, with more altitude metres and distance.”

Ineos Grenadiers head into the race with a team full of firepower. As well as Pidcock, Magnus Sheffield will race on Saturday after recently signing a new contract with the team. Thymen Arensman, Kim Heiduk, Salvatore Puccio, Michał Kwiatkowski, and Geraint Thomas make up the rest of the squad, with the latter making his debut at the race.

"He brings a lot of experience and calmness… the general role G plays all the time is a very positive addition to the group. We're very pleased with that and he will play that role on Saturday for sure,” Bogaerts said.

Strade Bianche returns in its usual early March spot this weekend on the signature white gravel roads of the region that give the race its name. The hilly Italian Classic has rapidly built up a reputation for dramatic racing, with calls for it to become the sixth Monument never far away.

The 18th men’s edition will enlivened by the presence of the 2022 champion Tadej Pogačar, who returns as he builds for his Giro d’Italia debut in May, setting up an enticing battle with last year’s winner, Tom Pidcock. 

Both riders won the race with long lone attacks, with the Slovenian hitting out with 50km to go in 2022 and Pidcock with 51km to go in 2023. 

Prior to that, winners had left it until later in the race to make their move. In 2021, Mathieu van der Poel left it until the steep slopes of the Via Santa Caterina, the final climb that takes the riders into the finish square in Siena, to attack and drop his rivals. 

Neither Wout van Aert nor van der Poel are on the start list this year, although 2019 winner Julian Alaphilippe is. 

In the women’s race, which starts early in the morning, SD Worx are sending two previous winners in Demi Vollering and world champion Lotte Kopecky. However, they will have to contend with a resurgent Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike), along with the strength in depth of Lidl-Trek.

Despite not being classified as a Monument, many within cycling have called for Strade to be elevated to the status of one over the years. Pidcock’s coach, Kurt Bogaerts, is among them. 

“It’s quite iconic and is the closest you can come to the old-fashioned style of racing on dirt roads,” he said. “The finish is quite nice, as is the environment, that part of Italy is a really great place. I know that doing well in that race is something he  Pidcock] would like to do several times. There are other races he would like to win once, but I think he wouldn’t say no to a second win there. It means a lot to him.”

Strade Bianche 2024 key information

Date: Saturday, 2 March
Location: Siena, Italy
Start: 08:40 GMT (women) 10:15 GMT (men)
End: 12:58 GMT (women) 16:05 (men)
2023 winners: Demi Vollering (women), Tom Pidcock (men)
TV: Discovery+/Eurosport

Strade Bianche 2024 route

For the first time, the men's race exceeds 200km, going 215km in fact. There are 15 gravel sectors in amongst that distance, totalling 71km. Meanwhile, the women's race stays about the same, at 137km, with over 40km of gravel across 12 sectors

 As with Paris-Roubaix, the gravel sectors are given a star ranking indicating their difficulty, with five star sectors considered the hardest. Approximately 50 kilometres from the finish, the five-star Monte Sante Marie sector has proven to be the launching point for the race winning attacks in the men’s race for the last two years running. 

Tom Pidcock responded to an acceleration from EF Education- EasyPost’s Alberto Bettiol on the sector last year before attacking over the top of the Italian’s move and soloing to the line. Monte Sante Marie is the place to attack if you want to stand a chance of going alone into the Piazza del Campo in Siena.

Strade Bianche 2024 riders to watch

Tom Pidcock
Ineos Grenadiers
*****

In 2023, Pidcock powered to victory with a 51km solo effort to the line. So far in 2024, he has finished sixth in the general classification at the Volta ao Algarve before entering the Classics and Opening Weekend at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

Julian Alaphilippe
Soudal Quick-Step
***

The French puncheur won the race in 2019 and finished second the following year during the Covid-affected season, to Wout van Aert. Alaphilippe struggled for form due to illness and injury in 2023 and only managed 43rd. He will be looking to bounce back.

Tadej Pogačar
UAE Team Emirates
*****

The 2022 champion returns to Strade Bianche and will spearhead a strong UAE Emirates squad. Similarly to Pidcock, a race like the Tuscan Classic is tailor made to Pogačar’s strengths. As well as his 2022 victory, Pogačar finished seventh in 2021.

Demi Vollering
SD Worx-Protime
*****

Last year’s winner is a solid bet again. The Dutchwoman took sixth in 2021 before a slight relapse with her 12th place finish in 2022. Vollering took victory last year and will be one of two cards to play for SD Worx once again at the weekend.

Lotte Kopecky
SD Worx-Protime
*****

The world champion will be expected to challenge at the sharp end. The Belgian won the race in 2022 before returning in 2023 and battling it out in a sprint finish with Vollering, her own team-mate, for the win. Ultimately, Kopecky took second place so will be out to reclaim the top step on the podium this time.

Elisa Longo Borghini
Lidl-Trek
****

The Italian champion has never finished lower than eight at Strade Bianche, a race she has tackled seven times. Champion in 2017, Longo Borghini's performance at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad hinted at her good form. A strong Lidl-Trek team will look to take the fight to SD Worx.

Strade Bianche 2024 start lists

Men

Ineos Grenadiers
PIDCOCK Thomas
ARENSMAN Thymen
THOMAS Geraint
HEIDUK Kim
KWIATKOWSKI Michał
PUCCIO Salvatore
SHEFFIELD Magnus 

Alpecin-Deceuninck
HERMANS Quinten
CONCI Nicola
GOGL Michael
HOLLMANN Juri
RIESEBEEK Oscar
VERGALLITO Luca
VERMEERSCH Gianni

Arkéa-B&B Hotels
ALBANESE Vincenzo
DELAPLACE Anthony
GUGLIELMI Simon
RODRÍGUEZ Cristián
LEDANOIS Kévin
VAUQUELIN Kévin
VENTURINI Clément

Astana Qazaqstan
VELASCO Simone
FEDOROV Yevgeniy
GAROFOLI Gianmarco
GAZZOLI Michele
LÓPEZ Harold Martin
BRUSSENSKIY Gleb
SCHELLING Ide

Bora-Hansgrohe
HIGUITA Sergio
ALEOTTI Giovanni
KÄMNA Lennard
KOCH Jonas
MARTÍNEZ Daniel Felipe
GAMPER Patrick
BENEDETTI Cesare

Cofidis
MARTIN Guillaume
CHAMPION Thomas
FINÉ Eddy
LASTRA Jonathan
GESCHKE Simon
MARIAULT Axel
ZINGLE Axel

Corratec-Vini Fantini
CONTI Valerio
BALDACCINI Davide
BONIFAZIO Niccolò
DARBELLAY Valentin
QUARTUCCI Lorenzo
SBARAGLI Kristian
STEWART Mark

Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale
COSNEFROY Benoît
HÄNNINEN Jaakko
LABROSSE Jordan
LAPEIRA Paul
TRONCHON Bastien
VENDRAME Andrea
PETERS Nans

EF Education-EasyPost
CARAPAZ Richard
BETTIOL Alberto
HEALY Ben
HONORÉ Mikkel Frølich
POWLESS Neilson
SHAW James
DE BOD Stefan

Groupama-FDJ
MADOUAS Valentin
ASKEY Lewis
GERMANI Lorenzo
GRÉGOIRE Romain
MARTINEZ Lenny
LE GAC Olivier
LIENHARD Fabian

Intermarché-Wanty
ROTA Lorenzo
BUSATTO Francesco
COLLEONI Kevin
PAQUOT Tom
PETILLI Simone
SMITH Dion
TAARAMÄE Rein

Israel-Premier Tech
WILLIAMS Stephen
CLARKE Simon
NEILANDS Krists
RAISBERG Nadav
SHEEHAN Riley
TEUNS Dylan
FRIGO Marco

Lidl-Trek
BAGIOLI Andrea
FELLINE Fabio
MOSCA Jacopo
SIMMONS Quinn
SKUJIŅŠ Toms
THEUNS Edward
VACEK Mathias

Lotto Dstny
VAN GILS Maxim
BERCKMOES Jenno
CURRIE Logan
LIVYNS Arjen
VAN EETVELT Lennert
MONIQUET Sylvain
ADAMIETZ Johannes

Movistar
FORMOLO Davide
CANAL Carlos
GARCÍA CORTINA Iván
OLIVEIRA Nelson
RANGEL Vinicius
SAMITIER Sergio
SERRANO Gonzalo

Q36.5
BRAMBILLA Gianluca
CALZONI Walter
CONCA Filippo
DE LA CRUZ David
DONOVAN Mark
FANCELLU Alessandro
WHELAN James

Soudal Quick-Step
ALAPHILIPPE Julian
ASGREEN Kasper
ČERNÝ Josef
HUBY Antoine
MAGNIER Paul
SERRY Pieter
VANSEVENANT Mauri

dsm-firmenich PostNL
BARDET Romain
BARGUIL Warren
WELTEN Bram
COMBAUD Romain
HAMILTON Chris
VAN DEN BROEK Frank
VERMAERKE Kevin

Jayco AlUla
PORTER Rudy
CRADDOCK Lawson
DE MARCHI Alessandro
ENGELHARDT Felix
ZANA Filippo
JUUL-JENSEN Christopher
DE PRETTO Davide

Polti Kometa
FETTER Erik
GÓMEZ Germán Darío
MUÑOZ Francisco
PIETROBON Andrea
SEVILLA Diego Pablo
MARTÍN Alex
DE CASSAN Davide

Visma-Lease a Bike
LAPORTE Christophe
KUSS Sepp
LEMMEN Bart
TULETT Ben
VAN DER SANDE Tosh
VALTER Attila
VERMOTE Julien

Tudor Pro Cycling
BRUN Nils
ERIKSSON Lucas
KAMP Alexander
REICHENBACH Sébastien
THALMANN Roland
WILKSCH Hannes
WIRTGEN Luc

UAE Team Emirates
POGAČAR Tadej
DEL TORO Isaac
BARONCINI Filippo
CHRISTEN Jan
HIRSCHI Marc
NOVAK Domen
WELLENS Tim

Uno-X Mobility
CORT Magnus
ABRAHAMSEN Jonas
URIANSTAD BUGGE Martin
EIKING Odd Christian
HOELGAARD Markus
HVIDEBERG Jonas Iversby
JOHANNESSEN Anders Halland

Bahrain-Victorious
MOHORIČ Matej
BURATTI Nicolò
GOVEKAR Matevž
MIHOLJEVIĆ Fran
PASQUALON Andrea
TRÆEN Torstein
ZAMBANINI Edoardo

Women

SD Worx-Protime
VOLLERING Demi
BREDEWOLD Mischa
CECCHINI Elena
FISHER-BLACK Niamh
GUARISCHI Barbara
KOPECKY Lotte

AG Insurance-Soudal
MOOLMAN Ashleigh
BENITO Mireia
BORGSTRÖM Julia
GHEKIERE Justine
(LE COURT) PIENAAR Kimberley
MASETTI Gaia

Aromitalia 3T Vaiano
LELEIVYTĖ Rasa
ZANZI Valentina
DEL SARTO Milena
MORENO Ainhoa
SEMOLI Serena
TOTTOLO Elisa

Bepink-Bongioanni
MAGALHÃES Ana Vitória
JENČUŠOVÁ Nora
TRINCA COLONEL Monica
CAGNAZZO Irene
VALTULINI Elisa
TESTA Martina

Canyon-Sram
NIEWIADOMA Katarzyna
BAUERNFEIND Ricarda
CHABBEY Elise
BRADBURY Neve
PALADIN Soraya
TOWERS Alice

Ceratizit-WNT
JASKULSKA Marta
ASENCIO Laura
BERTON Nina
EBERLE Lana
KERBAOL Cédrine
LACH Marta

Cofidis
BERTEAU Victoire
BEGO Julie
BOULAIS Flavie
COSTON Morgane
KERN Špela
NOSKOVÁ Nikola

EF Education-Cannondale
BORGHESI Letizia
JACKSON Alison
RÜEGG Noemi
VALLIERES Magdeleine
FAULKNER Kristen
LABECKI Coryn

FDJ-Suez
ADEGEEST Loes
KRAAK Amber
MUZIC Évita
WIEL Jade
CURINIER Léa
BROWN Grace

Fenix-Deceuninck
ROOIJAKKERS Pauliena
KASTELIJN Yara
MARTURANO Greta
PIETERSE Puck
SCHWEINBERGER Christina
TRUYEN Marthe

Human Powered Health
BIRIUKOVA Yuliia
EDWARDS Ruth
MALCOTTI Barbara
ZANARDI Silvia
RAGUSA Katia
WILLIAMS Lily

Isolmant-Premac-Vittoria
CURNIS Valeria
MAZZORANA Sara
ROSSATO Beatrice
ROSSETTI Sonia
ZANGA Marta
ZONTONE Asia

Laboral Kutxa-Fundación Euskadi
OYARBIDE Lourdes
QUAGLIOTTO Nadia
SILVESTRI Debora
TOMASI Laura
TONETTI Cristina
SANTESTEBAN Ane

Lidl-Trek
LONGO BORGHINI Elisa
CHAPMAN Brodie
DEIGNAN Elizabeth
HANSON Lauretta
SPRATT Amanda136VAN ANROOIJ Shirin

Liv AlUla Jayco
GARCÍA Mavi
ANDERSSON Caroline
MANLY Alexandra
PATE Amber
ROSEMAN-GANNON Ruby
WYLLIE Ella

Movistar
MEIJERING Mareille
BARIL Olivia
ERIĆ Jelena
MACKAIJ Floortje
MARTÍN Sara
PATIÑO Paula

Tashkent City
KUSKOVA Yanina
KAKHOROVA Madina
KARIMOVA Sofiya
RIZAEVA Asal
KOZIEVA Nafosat
MISYURINA Margarita

dsm-firmenich PostNL
BARALE Francesca
CIABOCCO Eleonora
GEORGI Pfeiffer
NELSON Josie
VINKE Nienke

Mendelspeck Ge-Man
CAPASSO Alice
DE GRANDIS Michela
MIOTTO Giulia
PIFFER Sara
VALLOTTO Giulia
ZANETTI Emma

Visma-Lease a Bike
MARKUS Riejanne
NOOIJEN Lieke
VAN AGT Eva
VIGIE Margaux
VON BERSWORDT Sophie
VOS Marianne

Top Girls Fassa Bortolo
PALAZZI Alice
BARIANI Giorgia
MISSIAGGIA Alessia
DE VALLIER Elisa
MONTICOLO Iris
SEGATO Gaia

UAE Team ADQ
PERSICO Silvia
AMIALIUSIK Alena
HARVEY Mikayla
MAGNALDI Erica
NEUMANOVA Tereza
SWINKELS Karlijn

Uno-X Mobility
BOILARD Simone
AALERUD Katrine
KOERNER Rebecca
BERG EDSETH Marte
KOSTER Anouska

BTC City Ljubljana Zhiraf Ambedo
BORELLO Carlotta
COLNAR Špela
GALOF Pija
LUCIANI Giulia
PINTAR Urška
SKLYAROVA Yelizaveta

On Saturday afternoon, reports of a loud bang heard across England were later reported as being a sonic boom from a fighter jet, scrambling to assist a stricken aircraft. Although of course, we know that was really a cover up. What really caused such a bang was a certain 23-year-old from Leeds on a Pinarello Dogma, smashing through the gravel of Strade Bianche in such resounding style that it generated shockwaves all the way to northern Europe.

In a career that’s already seen so much glory, it’s a tough task to rank Tom Pidcock’s achievements in terms of greatness. But it’s safe to say that Saturday’s victory firmly eclipsed Alpe d’Huez glory last summer as Pidcock’s finest hour yet.

Now to some, arguing it usurped the prestige of a Tour de France stage win may seem like a bold claim. However, starting by looking at the makeup of the competition this time round proves the point that it certainly did. 

When reflecting on victory on the Alpe, Pidcock previously told CW that he “didn’t win from the best riders in the world,” although this time, it was different. Yes, he’s beaten Wout van Aert before, but this was a class above. What unfolded on Saturday on the Monte Sante Marie was an unrelenting, bestial attack from the peloton on the races decisive five-star gravel sector to make a difference. Not simply winning a final sprint at Brabantse Pijl. 

In the final phase of racing on Saturday, he was faced with a group containing some of the best Classics riders of their generation, breathing down his neck as he surged towards the finish. With 20 kilometres left, Pidcock had to hold off the likes of Tiesj Benoot and Matej Mohorič, two former winners of both Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo respectively, and world class in a one day setting.

In comparison, last summer he was racing Chris Froome- still recovering from injury - and the last man standing Louis Meintjes, a 31 year-old without a WorldTour win at that point.

Fireworks on the Monte Sante Marie

Secondly, you have to look at the way in which the race winning move was formed, and his decision making on the road to read the situation around him. 

Mohorič last week revealed that those riders wishing to make the difference, knew that they didn’t necessarily need to wait until Siena arrived. The Monte Sante Marie was going to be decisive, as Mohorič predicted. Despite his young age, Pidcock is a smart and astute bike rider and will have done all the research he needed in the build-up. 

Once Alberto Bettiol took flight on that key sector, the Ineos man was on the move in a flash to counter, sensing that if there was a right time to hit the turbo button, this was it. 

When the Italian could no longer hold his wheel, what followed next brought the house down. Pidcock unrelentingly tore through the gravel on the key sector like it was nothing, thrashing and throwing his bike up the punchy climbs at speed before descending like a raptor in full flight towards its prey. 

Completely and utterly fearless, it was the kind of daredevil racing on historic roads that would have drawn approval from the likes of Fausto Coppi, should he have been racing 50 years ago. Although how much the Campionissimo would have cared about taking the Strava KOM, we’ll never know. 

It’s not a secret that Pidcock has made this style of gung-ho racing his own personal art form, and it takes a certain character to be able hold it together once the road drops away on such challenging gravel descents. Only riders with a certain psychological edge are capable of working it in their favour within a race situation. Pidcock is one of those riders, and quite possibly the very best there is right now. 

Monument victory a matter of time

Finally, when the terracotta houses and crowded streets of the Tuscan City arrived, this was the decisive moment, and the point in which all that guile and effort could come to nothing. When a leading racer has had their advantage shredded to just seconds, so many would lose heart as the lactate burned in every part of their body. 

As Siena approached he pushed on, masterfully controlling the gap all the way to the finish in truly World Class style. 

Granted, he benefited from indecision in the group behind, but in the pressure cooker of a Classic finale, it still takes guts and panache to keep calm and get the job done instead of giving in to the inevitable burning desire to glance over your shoulder and check the gap behind you. 

At that point it’s all over, he will have known that. Instead, we saw a measured and calculating performance, making use of every millimetre of road left, pushing on with every downhill and sprinting into the corners towards the base of the Via Santa Caterina. With such a bold statement of intent, this early in the Spring Campaign, it feels inevitable that a Monument victory will soon follow. 

When Tom Pidcock counter attacked with 51km to go at Strade Bianche on Saturday, few thought it would he the winning move, he himself said after that it was "completely not the plan".

It did not seem initially as if this would be another race-defining action so far out from the finish, as happened last year with Tadej Pogačar. Pidcock might be special, but he's not the Slovenian, right? It did not seem certain.

To start with, the Ineos Grenadiers rider was merely shadowing EF Education-EasyPost's Alberto Bettiol's move on the Monte Sante Marie five-star sector of gravel at the Tuscan race, making sure he was at the front of the action, not behind as so can easily happen at the chaotic event. It was a fate that did for Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) in the end, two of the favourites for the win, two former victors in Siena.

However, as he found himself off the front of the lead bunch, he just kept going, not faltering as Bettiol faded, and then ended up joining Sven Erik Bystrøm and Alessandro De Marchi, the last remnants of the day's break, but it was still a big ask.

When he was left alone with 23km to go, the money would still be on him being reeled in by the chasing group, especially as at that point there were still teams with two representatives there: Romain Grégoire and Valentin Madouas of Groupama FDJ; Matej Mohorič and Pello Bilbao of Bahrain Victorious; and Attila Valter and Tiesj Benoot of Jumbo-Visma.

Only one rider had won solo from further away at the Italian one-day race: Pogačar. It would surely come back, right?

However, it wasn't to be, with the group failing to work together to bring back the lone rider out front. It is one of the true oddities of cycling when a group with the power of multiple engines cannot bring back a single person, but that is what happens when egos are brought into the mix, different team plans, and the true belief and power of the leader.

This came to the fore when it was just Valter and Benoot left as a duo in the chasing group, and neither appeared to be able to work well for the other. There was even a comic moment when Valter appeared to drag the others back after his teammate had attacked, and Benoot gestured in frustration and disbelief. The Jumbo-Visma machine that seemed so well-oiled last week appeared to be in need of some extra lubrication on Saturday.

Pidcock used all his nous and skill to build the gap and keep it; for anyone who saw the way he controlled his TT bike when he went off-course at the Volta ao Algarve, there were no fears about the way he would ride on the sterrato of Strade Bianche, even during a sketchy moment on a downhill corner. We all know how good he is at going downhill on the limit, however.

While his great cyclo-cross rival Mathieu van der Poel did not seem on form, finishing 14th, 1-46 behind the winner, Pidcock looks in great form ready for the Classics. Perhaps this is a result of the former riding much later into the 'cross season, winning the Cyclo-cross World Championships in fact, while the latter finished early, skipping the Worlds.

Interestingly, it might have been his cyclo-cross history which allowed him to keep going out front on his own for so long. Often in 'cross races, especially at junior level, Pidcock spent a long time out front, and so has become very good at measuring his effort. As we saw on Alpe d'Huez at the Tour de France last summer, once he goes, he is very hard to get back.

“It’s going to take some sinking in,” he said at the finish. “When I went, that was completely not the plan. Obviously that sector is usually the decisive place, so I was just riding hard. I got a gap on the descent and I just carried on...

"A few times they came close and I thought oh I've messed it up, I've gone too early, I've wasted my shot but the thing is in races like this, it was so fast all day, I thought if I get a gap and I keep going it's hard to bring back."

Ahead of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad last week, Pidcock admitted that he hadn't "massively" won on the road yet. At the time, his record stood at three wins, although one of those was a Tour stage.

Now, it might only be four, but he can count one of the biggest one-day races around on his palmarès. You only have to look at the other winners of Strade Bianche to see the gilded company he is now in: Pogačar, Alaphilippe, Van der Poel, and Wout van Aert have won the last editions of the race.

There is now no doubt that the 23-year-old from Leeds is part of that group, the group of riders who can win across the year, in all sorts of different circumstances, on different terrain. With two victories in 2023, it could be a golden spring, a golden year for Pidcock.

What is certain is that he is a special talent, the first male British rider to win Strade Bianche. He should take inspiration from the first Brit full stop to win on the gravel of Tuscany, Lizzie Deignan, who went on to win the Trofeo Alfredo Binda and the Tour of Flanders in early 2016. It might just be a good omen.

Annemiek van Vleuten and the other superstars of the women’s WorldTour are in Italy, ready to go all out for glory in the seventh ever edition of Strade Bianche Donne taking place this weekend. 

The field will be packed full of quality, with last year’s winner Lotte Kopecky, as well as the likes of Kasia Niewiadoma, Demi Vollering, Ashleigh Moolman Pasio and Cecile Uttrup Ludwig all due to start. 

Tomorrow's race will follow a similar format to the men’s edition, starting in Siena, before rolling out across Tuscany’s now world famous white gravel roads, which feature in eight separate sectors. Strade Bianche Donne is also packed full of climbing, both on and off the gravel, including the savage finale up the Via Santa Caterina in the heart of Siena which heads into the Piazza del Campo and the finish. 

It’s expected to be a wide open affair, with a whole cluster of riders who could potentially claim the 2023 title. Here’s our pick of the eight who best stand a chance of victory.  

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez)

FDJ-Suez’s Danish superstar will be relishing another shot at the Strade Bianche final tomorrow.

The final climb up the Via Santa Caterina is a finale which Uttrup Ludwig will relish, and she has previously demonstrated her capabilities in stage races and other events featuring  punchy, uphill climbs in the closing stages. 

The Danish star puncheur narrowly missed out on a podium place in the last two editions of the race, coming fifth in both 2022 and 2021.  After a 20th place at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad last weekend, Uttrup Ludwig will be chomping at the bit to hit the podium tomorrow, maybe even the top step. 

Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (AG Insurance–Soudal–Quick-Step)

AG Insurances’ Ashleigh Moolman Pasio has already begun 2023 in impressive shape, and is clearly relishing her freedom in pastures new, away from the shackles of her previous role at SD Worx. 

The South African rider has already beaten Annemiek van Vleuten this year at the Volta Comunitat Valenciana Femines, grabbing the victory on the race's queen stage, which will have provided an extra shot of confidence coming into the Classics. 

Moolman Pasio finished third last year behind Lotte Kopecky and Van Vleuten, and also has several top ten results to her name since 2015. With her current form, she could well sneak her way onto the top spot of the podium in 2023. 

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx)

Last year’s winner, Lotte Kopecky will form part of a two-pronged attack for female cycling’s team of galacticos SD Worx this weekend alongside Demi Vollering. 

With that in mind, they are undoubtedly the team to beat. Kopecky is also bang in form after her stunning Omloop Het Nieuwsblad victory last weekend, which was also an impressive statement of intent from her team after new signing Lorena Wiebes finished in second in Belgium. 

With her team full of potential winners, the pressure will be off for Kopecky this weekend which could well make her even more dangerous. Whatever happens tomorrow, the likes of Van Vleuten will want to get rid of her early if they are to stand a chance of victory in the Piazza del Campo. 

Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM)

Canyon-SRAM's Kasia Niewiadoma has a score to settle with Strade Bianche, and has outlined the Italian Classic as one of her main goals for the 2023 season. 

Last year, the Polish rider narrowly missed out on a podium place in the Piazza del Campo, finishing fourth behind winner Lotte Kopecky. 

Niewiadoma will have been disappointed with her performance at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad last weekend, her first race of the 2023 campaign, so will be extra motivated to get a result here. 

She has the consistency and technique to make the difference on the white gravel roads, and with Tiffany Cromwell and Elise Chabbey by her side, the Canyon // SRAM rider will be out to put her Strade demons to bed on Saturday. 

Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar)

There is very little to say about Annemiek van Vleuten that hasn’t been said already. At the ripe old age of 39, she is still very much the strongest and best rider within the women’s peloton. Her results in the 2023 season, including a Grand Tour clean-sweep and World Championship road race victory, speak for themselves.

Last weekend, Van Vleuten was left frustrated at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad after an untimely mechanical issue before the Muur van Geraardsbergen ruined her chances of victory. With that in mind, she will more than likely be extra fired-up to get back to winning ways this weekend. 

The Dutch rider has two previous Strade Bianche wins to her name from 2019 and 2020, so she has more than enough experience on the sterrato to not be phased by it. If a small group featuring Van Vleuten arrives at the foot of the Via Santa Caterina, watch out for an all out turbo-attack from the 39-year-old reminiscent of her Worlds win to catapult her to victory. 

Demi Vollering (SD Worx)

Kopecky is the other weapon primed and ready to launch in the SD Worx arsenal and should she fail to defend the title, Demi Vollering will be ready to pounce in her place.

The Dutch rider had a relatively disappointing Classics campaign last time around, and will be looking to rectify that this year. Vollering’s big result last Spring was the title at Brabantse Pijl, a big result, but one that doesn’t quite hold the same prestige as a potential win in Tuscany. 

Vollering’s best result at Strade Bianche was a sixth place finish in 2020, and with the right team around her, tomorrow could provide a great opportunity to grab a podium spot or even better, an elusive victory. 

Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck)

One of the most exciting figures in the field on Saturday will be cyclocross star Puck Pieterse, who is making her women’s WorldTour debut this weekend. 

The 20-year-old riding for Fenix-Deceuninck is already a star in the world of cyclocross, where she recently claimed the under 23 world title and a silver medal in the elite category. Therefore it seems fitting that she will debut in the WorldTour on the sterrato on Saturday. 

Pieterse will be very much an unknown quality, but that could make her deadly. If she is allowed wiggle room to escape in a breakaway, she could well and truly cause a major upset in Italy. 

Silvia Persico (UAE ADQ)

UAE ADQ have an excellent card to play on the gravel in Italian Silvia Persico.

The Italian is an exciting and dynamic rider, with a variety of attributes which could stand her in good stead as she tackles the eight sectors and varied terrain that the race will offer. Persico is an impressive sprinter, and can climb as she showed at the recent UAE Tour where she took third place overall. 

As a rider who has also previously excelled in cyclocross, Persico will absolutely be a rider that the likes of Van Vleuten, Kopecky and Vollering will be wary of this weekend. 

Matej Mohorič has said that he isn’t ruling out using a bike fitted with a dropper seatpost as he goes for glory at Strade Bianche on Saturday. 

The Slovenian Classics star took his first Monument victory in sensational style last season, winning Milan-San Remo with a daredevil descent off the Poggio climb aided by the use of a dropper seatpost, which is commonly found in mountain biking. 

Dropper seatposts can be used to allow riders to lower their centre of gravity, in order to take tighter turns on descents with greater speed. Mohorič’s use of the equipment on the Poggio bore obvious results last season, and caught his rivals completely unaware. 

On Friday afternoon, Bahrain Victorious dropped a major hint on social media about the potential setup of the Merida Reacto Mohorič will ride at Strade Bianche, and speaking to Cycling Weekly from Tuscany, the Slovenian  revealed that he is considering using his now famous dropper post once again on the white gravel roads on Saturday. 

“I think I could well use the dropper seatpost tomorrow,” he said. “There are some tricky sections and I feel more secure with it. I never achieved a top ten here before, there was always something that went wrong. I sure hope to get everything right this time.”

Due to the uphill finish on the iconic Via Santa Caterina climb, Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin Deceuninck) are two riders that will start the Italian Classic as out and out favourites for victory. However, Mohorič explained that he believes the race may not necessarily be decided in the streets of Siena.

“I think the main selection will be made in Monte Sante Marie, and then we will see how the final will play out,” Mohorič said. “I don’t necessarily think I need to anticipate the final ramp to Siena, it all depends on how I feel during the day.”

“The big favourite for me is Mathieu van der Poel, he won here in 2021 in spectacular fashion. Alaphilippe also won in 2019, and he won a race already this season. For me those two are the men to beat,” he added. “Surely there will be others.”

Ahead of a return to Milan-San Remo later this month, the Slovenian explained that he’s in a good place and ready to build form. 

“I’m feeling well, I had good legs last weekend in Belgium. I am in a good place with my condition and I want to make the most of it, take every opportunity.”

Mathieu van der Poel has said he would like to race “as aggressively” at Strade Bianche this Saturday as he did in 2021 when he won the race with a blistering attack. 

That year, the Dutchman forced gaps on the race’s gravel sectors, before launching an explosive move on the final climb, reaching a max power of almost 1,400 watts. 

Speaking ahead of this year's edition, the 28-year-old said that Strade Bianche remains a “special race” to him.

“It’s something we don’t often do during the season. It’s a really tough one as well. People only think about the gravel, but it’s also just a really hard race. I think you need the legs in the first place to compete for the win.”

Reflecting on his triumph two years ago, Van der Poel said: “The way it went was quite special. It’s one of the victories that I will remember for quite a bit, and I hope that I’ll have the legs to race as aggressively as that on Saturday.”

This weekend's Strade Bianche will mark the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider’s first road race of 2023, and his first event since winning the Cyclo-cross World Championships for the fifth time last month. 

Asked about his preparation for the road season, Van der Poel said he had had “the perfect build-up.” 

“I’ve done everything that I wanted to do,” he continued. “Of course, I would love to have it a bit longer, but the way I divide my season [between road and cyclo-cross] makes it a bit difficult to have a really long preparation.

“I feel ready for what’s coming, but I think I will need some racing to really be at my top level.”

The Dutchman will go into Saturday’s event as one of the big favourites, particularly in the absence of reigning champion Tadej Pogačar and 2020 race winner Wout van Aert, who chose to postpone his season debut due to illness. 

Speaking about the duo’s absence, Van der Poel said: “It changes [the race] a bit. They’re two of the best riders we have and they also have quite an aggressive racing style, so if you have good legs and you can follow them, it makes the racing a bit easier.

“For sure, the race is hard enough. There are a lot of other really good riders as well, so it’s going to be a tough one. I’m looking forward to it.” 

Many of the greatest male Spring Classics contenders will be heading to Italy in the coming days ahead of Strade Bianche on Saturday. All eyes will be on the likes of 2021 champion Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers), two of the biggest favourites in the absence of Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) who is sitting out the race due to illness and defending champion Tadej Pogačar. 

Van Aert was originally due to start his 2023 season at Strade Bianche, but will now delay entering the fray until Tirreno-Adriatico which begins a few days later. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), the defending champion after his 2022 victory, also won’t be present this year due to racing Paris-Nice which also begins in early March.

Strade Bianche is famous for its 11 gravel sectors, or sterrato, which make for 63 kilometres of spectacular racing in the 184 kilometre long event. During the last few years the race has been packed full of drama sparked by stunning and brutal attacks from both Van der Poel and Pogačar on the way to both of their wins.

Along with the gravel, the riders face a series of short, steep hills through the breathtaking scenery featuring rolling fields and vineyards meaning the course suits puncheur style riders who have the explosiveness to launch attacks across the varying terrain, and the power to make them last. 

We’ve picked eight of the best to keep an eye on, who are all equally capable of landing the 2023 Strade Bianche title on Saturday.
 

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) 

After taking one of the most memorable Strade Bianche victories in recent years, Mathieu van der Poel needs very little introduction to fans of the Italian Classic. 

Back in 2021, Van der Poel simply tore his rivals to shreds while wearing the Dutch National Champions jersey, launching a violent attack on the final gravel sector which only Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) and Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step) could follow. However, an even more savage attack was still to come. 

Once the trio had entered the streets of Siena, Van der Poel launched a blistering final move on the iconic Via Santa Caterina climb producing 1,300 watts in the process. Alaphilippe, who is normally capable of similar moves, was left stunned as the Dutchman sailed into the distance to take a resounding win. 

Van der Poel will be making his 2023 road debut on Saturday and will no doubt want to start with a bang. 

Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers)

Tom Pidcock has begun the 2023 road season in excellent form, and was right in the thick of the action at the recent Omloop Het Nieuwsblad where he finished in fifth place. Prior to the Classics getting underway, Pidcock rode an impressive race at the Volta ao Algarve in Portugal taking the win on stage four, beating João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) on a punchy climb in the process.

On paper, there isn’t a Classic more better suited to Pidcock’s attributes than Strade Bianche. The Ineos man possesses the technical ability to survive the various gravel sectors where his cyclo-cross and mountain bike background will shine through. Pidcock also has the speed, acceleration and tenacity to get away from his rivals on the climbs.

If a bunch featuring Pidcock arrives at the foot of the Via Santa Caterina all together, the Leeds-born rider will be extremely tough to beat on an uphill dash for the line. 

Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step)

The two-time former World Champion got his Spring campaign off to a flying start with victory at the Faun-Ardèche Classic in France last weekend. Alaphilippe out-sprinted fellow Frenchman, David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) after they distanced themselves from a smaller group of riders with just under 30 kilometres remaining.

Alaphilippe is yet another former winner of Strade Bianche, and is exactly the type of rider who thrives here. His bike handling skills are superb, and he possesses a phenomenal ability to launch violent attacks when the road goes uphill that leave other riders trailing in his wake. As well as winning in 2019, Alaphilippe also finished as runner up to Van der Poel in 2021.

He also has a score to settle with Strade Bianche after spectacularly crashing out last year on the longest gravel sector of the race. With the burden of the Rainbow Jersey no longer on his shoulders, watch out for the Soudal Quick-Step puncheur on Saturday. 

Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma)

Without the presence of Wout Van Aert in his team, all eyes will be on Benoot for Jumbo-Visma in Italy this weekend. After winning Strade Bianche in 2018, Benoot knows exactly what it takes to get the job done on the white gravel roads.

The Belgian has started the Spring Classics in excellent form, winning Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne on Opening Weekend and was in the heart of the action when his teammate, Dylan van Baarle, took the victory at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. 

Benoot is an out and out Classics rider. The man from Ghent may lack the raw power of the likes of Van Aert, but his lighter build and climbing ability means that if he’s kept out of trouble, he should be able to contest the victory once more.

Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates)

Belgian Tim Wellens has moved to pastures new with UAE Team Emirates for 2023, and briefly got up the road at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad during Opening Weekend. 

Wellens is always ready to go on the offensive, and has finished inside the top 20 on three separate occasions at Strade Bianche with his best result being a third place finish in 2017. The Belgian possesses a varied skill set as a bike rider, and typically thrives on punchy terrain featuring short but sharp climbs, typical of the route of the Italian Classic. 

While the likes of Pidcock, Van der Poel and Alaphilippe watch each other on Saturday, Wellens is exactly the type of rider capable of capitalising and catching them all unawares, making him very much a dark horse for victory.
 

Quinn Simmons (Trek-Segafredo)

Not every team has the fortune of possessing a race winning star in their squad, although Trek-Segafredo will hope they have one in the form of young American Quinn Simmons.

Simmons also has past form at Strade Bianche, finishing in seventh last year behind a rampant Pogacar. The 21-year-old has all the required bike handling skills you need to get around on the dirt roads and is a real livewire on two wheels.

While Simmons doesn’t possess the same raw power as the likes of Van der Poel, he isn’t afraid to attack from distance, and if he’s allowed to slip up the road in a breakaway, he’ll be immensely difficult to reel back in. 

 Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious) 

It’s likely that Bahrain Victorious will arrive in Siena with Pello Bilbao as their leader, although Matej Mohorič will provide an outstanding alternative on the sterrato if Bilbao finds himself in difficulty.

Mohorič is fast becoming a proven Classics star, and grabbed his first Monument title with a sensational ride at Milan-San Remo last year. Unlike his team mate Bilbao, the Slovenian hasn’t yet recorded a top ten finish in Siena, but he has all the ability you need in order to do the business here with the parcours suiting him to perfection.

Mohorič isn’t known for his climbing prowess, but he has a huge engine and will be able to stick to the all out favourites like glue. If he gets the jump from distance on his rivals, he has the power and tenacity to then see a huge attack through to the end. His two Tour de France stage wins are solid proof of that. 

Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost)

Like Mohorič, Alberto Bettiol is another decent outside bet capable of outfoxing the big three favourites of Alaphilippe, Pidcock and Van der Poel here.

The Italian is an all out powerhouse, and won the Tour of Flanders back in 2019 so has all that it takes for another big result. He also finished fourth at Strade Bianche in 2020 behind Wout van Aert. Not only that, but these are the EF Education-Easy Post rider’s home roads. Bettiol grew up in the region, riding on Tuscany’s gravel tracks on a regular basis before turning professional.

He relishes short, punchy climbs and can pack a fast finish. If anyone can upset the favourites in Siena, then it certainly could be him.

The outsiders

Aleksey Lutsenko (Astana Qazaqstan), Greg van Avermaet (AG2R Citroën Team), Rui Costa (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty), Aleksandr Vlasov (BORA-Hansgrohe), Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates), Ruben Guerreiro (Movistar) can all lay claim to a decent shot if things go their way. But often at Strade it's the big guns that contest the finish, such is the selectiveness of the course.

Strade Bianche 2023 route (men's)

The route for the men’s edition of the 17th edition of Strade Bianche is unchanged from last year’s race, taking place over 184 kilometres, departing from the Fortezza Medicea in Siena before wrapping up later in the day with the gruelling climb up the Via Santa Caterina to the iconic Piazza del Campo square in the city’s historic centre. 

Strade Bianche has rapidly become a favourite of cycling fans as well as riders worldwide, and in the past there has even been calls for the men’s event to become the sixth cycling monument due to its iconic parcours across the sterrato or white gravel roads across the Tuscany region. 

Speaking of gravel, there are 11 sectors on the course for the men which make up more than 63 kilometres of the total route. Each of the sectors are given a scale of one to five stars, one being the easiest and five the toughest.

The longest of the sectors is 11.9 kilometres, and it was on that particular sector where we saw a large crash last year which took out multiple riders including Julian Alaphilippe.  

Wout van Aert, a previous winner of the race, won't feature this year on the start list due to illness. 

The gravel starts fairly early on, and after just 18 kilometres of undulating terrain the riders will reach sector one. At only 2.1 kilometres in length, it makes for a gentle introduction to the gravel, particularly as it’s mainly downhill before a particularly nasty 10% gradient uphill section which comes just moments later.

After the riders have tackled section three, they’ll reach La Piana, the fourth and ever-present sector, before they then reach the second gravel climb of the day, Montalcino, a nasty four kilometre long climb which bites at 5%. Montalcino comes just before the longest 11.9 kilometre sector, which is then swiftly followed by sector six, a punchy eight kilometres in length.

Shortly after the feed zone, it’s likely that the race will be beginning to hot up. Monteroni d’Arbia is next up which marks the start of sector seven. The 9.5 kilometre section is relatively up and down, ending with a twisting, punchy climb up to tarmac roads once more.
 

A brief descent on the road brings the riders to the foot of the Monte Sante Marie climb, which marks the start of section eight. According to the organisers, it's arguably the toughest.

The next section is relatively short, but by no means easy. Sector nine is just 800 metres long, but it is solely a short and sharp climb back onto tarmac once more before the riders reach the penultimate sector of the day.

Strade di Colle Pinzuto is absolutely brutal, featuring ramps of more than 15% gradient, and it keeps twisting and turning uphill around several hairpin bends to the end. Sector 11 is relatively flat before the riders then take on the hilly roads into Siena towards the Piazza del Campo.

The final kilometre of the day's action is now very much seen as being one of cycling’s most iconic climbs. At 16% gradient on huge stone slabs, the Via Santa Caterina makes for an unbelievably brutal end to a bike race before the flat finish in the beautiful Piazza del Campo.

Strade Bianche 2023 route (women's)

A large proportion of the gravel sections on the men’s route also feature on the women’s, even though the Strade Bianche Donne route is shorter at 136 kilometres in length. Beginning in Siena, the women’s peloton will roll out of the city for 18 kilometres before they encounter the first section of gravel. The same 2.1 kilometre section as the men.

Ville di Corsano is the first real test of the day, featuring a 5.8 kilometre gravel climb before the route then takes the peloton through to Radi, and onto section three and four of the gravel. At that point, the riders then return to tarmacked roads which should make for a smooth passage through to Monteroni d’Arbia where the fifth gravel sector will begin.

At 9.5 kilometres in length, it should provide a stern test for even the most accomplished of bike handlers in the Crete Senesi, with a nasty short ramp at the end back up onto the tarmac once more.

A large gap of 40 kilometres on the tarmac separates sectors five and six on the gravel. Sector six is a nasty 800 metre ramp with gradients well into double figures up to Vico d’Arbia. 

Next up  is the Colle Pinzuto sector, a formidable opponent for tired legs with its 15% gradient ramps and slippery surfaces. The final sector nine is short at just over a single kilometre in length featuring demanding descents and climbs towards the final kilometre in the heart of Siena.  

The finale is the same as the men’s, the steep and famous climb to the Pizza del Campo up the Via Santa Caterina. 

How to watch 

Find out how you can tune into all the action, no matter where you are in the world, on our how to watch Strade Bianche guide. 

Strade Bianche and Strade Bianche donne both take place on Saturday 4 March 2023. Since their beginning in 2007 and 2015 respectively, both races have rapidly become two of the most important one-day races in the men's and women's WorldTour.

Held in Tuscany, Italy and finishing in the Pizza del Campo in the heart of the historic city of Siena, the event has become very well known due to its white gravel roads which feature in individual sectors, similar to the pave sectors in Paris-Roubaix, throughout the race.

Fabian Cancellara has won the men’s race three times and leads the charts for the most Strade Bianche victories. Lizzie Deignan has also previously tasted victory in the women's race. Tadej Pogačar and Lotte Kopecky both took the win's last year.

The race is typically won by a puncheur who has enough acceleration to enable them to attack on the various climbs that feature throughout the parcours. Although classics stars have also previously taken victory.

Kopecky will more than likely return to the women's race this year and will be a huge favourite to double up with another victory.

Julian Alaphilippe of Soudal Quick-Step will be a huge favourite for the men's race, as will Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers). Both riders have exactly the kind of attributes needed to stand a chance of celebrating Strade Bianche victory in the Pizza del Campo. 

How to watch Strade Bianche and Strade Bianche Donne 2023 in the UK

If you’re based in the UK, you will be able to watch all of the live coverage from regular cycling broadcasters GCN+ and discovery+ and Eurosport. 

You can buy a month-long pass to get access to the live streams available via the Eurosport player or Discovery+ website.  Buying a pass costs just £6.99 although it's worth remembering that it will then auto renew at the same price each month unless you cancel before the renewal date.

If you're a year round cycling fan looking to gain access to live streams throughout the 2023 WorldTour season, you may wish to purchase a year long pass instead. The year long pass costs £59.99 and represents a significant saving of £23.89.

Another option is deciding to go for a GCN+ subscription at a cost of £39.99 for the year. Or you can buy a race pass for £6.99 per month. A GCN account also means you'll then have access to both live and on demand race footage as well as long or short highlight streams and in-depth analysis.

Coverage of the women's race will begin on GCN+ and Eurosport at 10:30 am GMT. All of the action from the men's race will be available from 12:50 pm GMT.

If you happen to be out of the country when the race is on then you can just download a VPN and choose your location to watch live as if you are back at home.

Setting up a VPN is simple – just download, install, open the app and select your location.

There are several VPN options out there, but we think going with Express VPN is the best.

ExpressVPN will also give you a 30-day money-back guarantee.
 

How to live stream Strade Bianche and Strade Bianche donne 2023 from the USA 

Strade Bianche and Strade Bianche Donne 2023 will be available to watch in the USA via GCN+ too.

If you're stateside and want to use GCN+ to watch the races, you'll need to buy a subscription and set up an account.

You can buy a month long pass to get access for $8.99 or get yourself a years access for $49.99.

You can find the full list of races that GCN will be broadcasting in the USA over on their helpful racing schedule.

Coverage of the women's race will begin on both formats from 5:30 am EST before the men's race gets started at 7:50 am EST. 

How to watch Strade Bianche and Starde Bianche donne 2023 when you're not in your home country

If you’re out of your home country in March when the races are both on, you may discover that you lose access to your favourite home broadcaster and that you’re consequently unable to stream the racing action.

If you find that turns out to be the case, we have the perfect solution.

Try installing an ExpressVPN on your computer. That way you’ll be able to access your favourite broadcaster without having to resort to using illegal streams. Just make sure you follow the broadcasters terms and conditions at all times.

Check out ExpressVPN today for its speed, security and ease of use. It’s compatible with a variety of devices, so what’s the delay? Download an ExpressVPN today and you'll soon be reaping all of the many benefits.
 

Strade Bianche, the famous and much loved Italian classic, takes place this weekend in its usual early March slot marking one of the big and highly anticipated in the men's and women's calendars.

Both races take place on Saturday 4 March across Tuscany's white gravel roads, or Sterrato, with the men's race covering 184 kilometres and the women's a slightly reduced distance of 136 kilometres.

One previous winner of the men's race, Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), won't be present due to illness. No Van Aert on the start line will certainly make things easier for another race favourite, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), who will be right in contention along with the likes of Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) and Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step)

Strade Bianche 2023 start list (men) 

All 18 men's WorldTour teams are eligible to race and are set to line up in Siena to begin the 17th edition. Seven teams have received invites for the race in the form of Wildcard entry.

Here is the full start list for Strade Bianche 2023.

18 UCI WorldTour teams

AG2R CITROEN TEAM

VAN AVERMAET Greg
RETAILLEAU Valentin
PARET PEINTRE Valentin
PETERS Nans
SCHAR Michael
VENDRAME Andrea
VENTURINI Clement

ALPECIN-DECEUNINCK

VAN DER POEL Mathieu
GAZE Samuel
GOGL Michael
RISEBEEK Oscar
STANNARD Robert
VAN DEN BOSSCHE Fabio
VERMEESCH Gianni

ASTANA QAZAQSTAN TEAM

LUTSENKO Aleksey
BASSO Leonardo
BOARO Manuele
FEDOROV Yevgeniy
NIBALI Antonio
RIABUSHENKO Aleksandr
VELASCO Simone

BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS

BILBAO LOPEZ DE ARMENTIA Pello
GOVEKAR Matevz
KEPPLINGER Rainer
MIHOJEVIC Fran
MOHORIC Matej
PASQUALON Andrea
PERNSTEINER Hermann

BORA - HANSGROHE

HIGUITA GARCIA Sergio Andres
BENEDETTI Cesare
GAMPER Patrick
KAMNA Lennard
KONRAD Patrick
SCHELLING Ide
VLASOV Aleksandr

COFIDIS

ZINGLE Axel
CARVALHO Rodrigues Andre
CHAMPION Thomas
FINE Eddy
LASTRA MARTINEZ Jonathan
MARIAULT Axel
WOOD Harrison

EF EDUCATION - EASYPOST

BETTIOL Alberto
AMADOR Andrey
HONORE Mikkel
KEUKELEIRE Jens
QUINN Sean
SHAW James
VAN DEN BERG Julius

GROUPAMA - FDJ

PINOT Thibaut
ASKEY Lewis
GREGOIRE Romain
LE GAC Oliver
LIENHARD Fabian
MADOUAS Valentin
PACHER Quentin

INEOS GRENADIERS

PIDCOCK Thomas
DE PLUS Laurens
KWIATKOWSKI Michal
RIVERA VARGAS Brandon Smith
RODRIGUEZ CANO Carlos
SHEFFIELD Magnus
TULETT Ben

INTERMARCHÉ - CIRCUS - WANTY

COSTA Alberto Faria Rui
BYSTROM Sven Erik
HERREGODTS Rune
HUYS Laurens
PETILLI Simone
ROTA Lorenzo
ZIMMERMANN Georg

Jumbo-Visma

BENOOT Tiesj
HEBMANN Michel
HOFSTEDE Lennard
LEEMREIZE Gijs
VADER Milan
VALTER Atitila
VAN DER SANDE Tosh

MOVISTAR

ARANBURU Alex
HOLLMAN Juri
MAS BONET Luis Guillermo
OLIVEIRA Nelson
ROMEO ABAD Ivan
TORRES BARCELO Albert
VERONA Quintanilla Carlos

SOUDAL QUICK-STEP

ALAPHILIPPE Julian
BAGIOLI Andrea
BALLERINI Davide
DEVENYNS Dries
PEDERSEN Casper
SERRY Pieter
VANSEVENANT Mauri

ARKEA - SAMSIC

BARGUIL Warren
BARRE Louis
DELAPLACE Anthony
GUGLIELMI Simon
OWSIAN Lukasz
RUSSO Clement
VERRE Alessandro

DSM

VANHOUCKE Harm
BRENNER Marco
FLYNN Sean
MILESI Lorenzo
ONLEY Oscar
TUSVELD Martijn
VANDENABEELE Henri

JAYCO ALULA

ZANA Filippo
BALMER Alexandre
DE MARCHI Alessandro
ENGELHARDT Felix
JENSEN Juul Chris
MAAS Jan
STYBAR Zdenek

TREK - SEGAFREDO

THEUNS Edward
CATALDO Dario
GEHBREIGZABHIER Amanuel
HELLEMOSE Asbjorn
HOELGAARD Markus
SIMMONS Quinn
SKUIJNS Toms

UAE TEAM EMIRATES

ULISSI Diego
BAX Sjoerd
BENNETT George
COVI Alessandro
FORMOLO Davide
MCNULTY Brandon
WELLENS Tim

7 WildCards

EOLO-KOMETA

FETTER Erik
BEVILAACQUA Simone
GAROSIO Andrea
MAESTRI Mirco
PIETROBOn Andrea
RIVI Samuele
SEVILLA LOPEZ Diego Pablo

GREEN PROJECT-BARDIANI CSF-FAIZANÉ

TOLIO Alex
COLNAGHI Luca
GABBURO Davide
LUCCA Riccardo
LUCCA Riccardo
MAGLI Filippo
TONELLI Alessandro
ZOCCARATO Samuele

ISRAEL - PREMIER TECH

CLARKE Simon
GEE Derek
GOLDSTEIN Omer
HOLLENSTEIN Reto
NEILANDS Krists
SCHMIDT Mads Wurtz

LOTTO DSTNY

KRON Andreas
ADAMIETZ Johannes
LIVYNS Arjen
MONIQUET Sylvain
PASSCHENS Mathijs
SEPULVEDA Eduardo
VAN GILS Maxim

Q36.5 PRO CYCLING

BRAMBILLA Gianluca
ABREHA Negasi
CALZONI Walter
CAMPRUBI Marcel
COLOMBO Filippo
DONOVAN Mark

TOTALENERGIES

SAGAN Peter
BODNAR Maceiej
BURGAUDEAU Mathieu
CRAS Steff
FERRON Valentin
OSS Daniel
SIMON Julien

TUDOR PRO CYCLING 

REICHENBACH Sebastian
BRUN Nils
CHARRIN Alois
ERIKSSON Lucas
PELLAUD Simon
THALMANN Roland
VOISARD Yannis

Strade Bianche Donne 2023: Women's start list

All of the 23 women's teams from the WorldTour and ProTeam level.

UCI Women's WorldTour teams

CANYON//SRAM RACING

NIEWIADOMA Katarzyna
BAUERNFEIND Ricarda
CHABBEY Elise
CROMWELL Tiffany
PALADIN Soraya
SKALNIAK-SOJKA Agnieska

EF EDUCATION - TIBCO - SVB
JACKSON Alison
BORHESI Letizia
EWERS Veronica
POIDEVIN Sara
SMITH Abi
STEPHENS Lauren

FDJ-SUEZ

UTTRUP LUDWIG Cecille
BORGLI Stine
BROWN Grace
GUAZZINI Vittoria
LE NET marie
VERHULST Gladys

FENIX-DECEUNINCK

PIETERSE Puck
KASTELIJN Yara
MARTURANO Greta
SCHREMPF Carina
SCHWEINBERGER Christina
WRIGHT Sophie

ISRAEL PREMIER TECH ROLAND

DRONOVA Tamara
GRIFFIN Mia
MAGRI Silvia
STEELS Claire
VIECELI Lara

LIV RACING TEQFIND

GARCIA Mavi
ANDERSSON Caroline
NEUMANOVA tereza
RAGUSA Katia
STULTIENS Sabrina

MOVISTAR
VAN VLEUTEN Annemiek
BJERG Norsgaard Emma Cecille
GUTIERREZ RUIZ Sheyla
LIPPERT Liane
MACKAIJ Floortje
PATINO BEDOYA Paula Andrea

DSM

LABOUS Juliette
BARALE Francesca
CIABOCCO Eleonora
CURINIER Lea
GEORGI Pfeiffer
STORRIE Becky

JAYCO ALULA

SANTESTEBAN GONZALEZ Ane
ALLEN Jessica
FAULKNER Kristen
GASKJENN Ingvild
PATERNOSTER Letizia
ROSEMAN-GANNON Ruby

JUMBO-VISMA

RIVERA Coryn
BEEKHUIS Teuntje
KRAAK Amber
MARKUS Riejanne
SWINKELS Karlijn
VAN AGT Eva


SD WORX

KOPECKY Lotte
BREDEWOLD Mischa
CECCHINI Elena
FISHER-BLACK Niamh
SHACKLEY Anna
VOLLERING Demi

TREK - SEGAFREDO

BALSAMO Elisa
BACKSTEDT Elynor
CHAPMAN Brodie
SPRATT Amanda
WILES Tayler

UAE TEAM ADQ

PERSICO Silvia
AMIALIUSIK Alena
BARIL Olivia
BERTIZZOLO Sofia
HARVEY Mikayla
MAGNALDI Erica

WildCard teams

AG INSURANCE - SOUDAL QUICK-STEP

MOOLMAN-PASIO Ashleigh
BENITO Miriea
BORGSTROM Julia
GOOSSENS marthe
LOUW Anya
MASETTI Gaia

AROMITALIA BASSO VAIANO

LELEIVYTE Rasa
BALDUCCI Francesca
BARONI Francesca
BONINI Fanni
DEL SARTO Miliena
SCARSELLI Lara

BEPINK

ZANARDI Silvia
BASILICO Valentina
JENCUSOVA Nora
TEOLIS jade
VETTORELLO Giorgia
VITILLO Matilde

BORN TO WIN - ZHIRAF - G20

CASASOLA Sara
BORTOLOTTI Silvia
BONZANINI Rachele
LUCIANI Giulia
BARBIERI Sofia
ZANETTI Emma

CERATIZIT - WNT PRO CYCLING
FIDANZA Arianna
ARZUFFI Alice Maria
BERDON Nina
KERBAOL Cedrine
LACH Marta

COFIDIS

ALZINI Martina
COSTON Morgane
ERAUD Severine
KERN Spela
BOULAIS Flavie
NEYLAN Rachel

GB JUNIOR TEAM PIEMONTE PEDALE CASTANESE A.S.D.

SERNISSI Gemma
DELLA CORTE Benedetta
GIULIANI Giulia
RUFFILLI Vittoria
SACCHI Chiara
TRUC Sylvie

ISOLMANT - PREMAC - VITTORIA

ZONTONE Asia
BORELLO Carlotta
CURNIS Valeria
EREMITA Lucrezia
ROSSATO Beatrice

LABORAL KUTXA - FUNDACION EUSKADI

MERINO CORTAZAR Eider
BLANCO Iurani
ERASO LASA Idoia
QUAGLIOTTO nadia
SCHWEIKART Aileen
TERUEL Alba

MENDELSPECK

PISCIALI Francesca
CASTAGNA Monica
GATSCHER Maria
ORO Angela
POZZOBON Beatrice
SANFILIPPO Martina

TOP GIRLS FASSA BORTOLO

VIGILIA Alessia
BARIANI Giorgia
MISSIAGGIA Alessia
MONTICOLO Iris
PALAZZI Alice
TONETTI Cristina

Strade Bianche 2026: Key details

Strade Bianche 2026 will be the 20th edition of the Italian WorldTour race, and the 13th Strade Bianche Donne. This year’s edition will take place on Saturday 7 March with both the men’s and women’s races taking place on the same day.  

Strade Bianche is a one-day race held in Tuscany, famous for its white gravel roads which have fast become the defining feature of the race. First held in 2007 for men, the race quickly established itself within the WorldTour. 

Its iconic parcours, difficulty and prestige have lead some to describe it as cycling's 'Sixth Monument'. The race is twisty, undulating and punchy, without lengthy climbs, but it's nevertheless a tough challenge, with gradients on gravel proving particularly testing.

Fabian Cancellara and Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) have both won the men’s race three times and lead the charts for the most Strade Bianche victories. The latter could claim the record outright.

The race seems to favour anyone and everyone: GC riders like Pogačar, puncheurs, and - thanks to its uneven gravel sectors - cobbled classics specialists, cyclo-cross and former mountain bike riders can all do well.

After the success of the men’s edition of the race, a women’s equivalent was first held in 2015 and also quickly established itself within the Women’s WorldTour.

The Dutch, much like in most top-level women's racing, have dominated the race with the last four of eight editions going to a Dutch woman. Annemiek van Vleuten, Demi. Vollering and Lotte Kopecky have won it twice, with the Belgian likely to go for the hat-trick in 2026.

Lizzie Deignan and Tom Pidcock have both won the race, being the only Brits to do so in history.

Strade Bianche 2026: The route

Strade Bianche, meaning 'white roads' in Italian, refers to the sectors of unpaved gravel that are a key feature and a unique characteristic of the race. Some are flat, some involve steep climbs or technical descents, testing the rider's bike handling skills. 

This year there are 14 of these gravel sectors in the men's race, up from 11, covering 64km of the total 201km. The women's race has lost two gravel sectors, meaning 11, totalling 33km of the 131km. 

Another key feature of the race is its finale: the incredibly steep, narrow climb, the Via Santa Caterina, which peaks at 16%, to the finish in the beautiful Piazza del Campo within the city of Siena. 

Strade Bianche: Recent winners

2025: Tadej Pogačar (Slo), UAE Team Emirates-XRG
2024: Tadej Pogačar (Slo), UAE Team Emirates
2023: Tom Pidcock (GBr), Ineos Grenadiers
2022: Tadej Pogačar (Slo), UAE Team Emirates
2021: Mathieu van der Poel (Ned), Alpecin-Fenix
2020: Wout van Aert (Bel), Team Jumbo-Visma
2019: Julian Alaphilippe (Fra), Deceuninck - Quick-Step
2018: Tiesj Benoot (Bel), Lotto-Soudal
2017: Michał Kwiatkowski (Pol), Team Sky
2016: Fabian Cancellara (Sui), Trek-Segafredo
2015: Zdeněk Štybar (Cze), Etixx - Quick-Step
2014: Michał Kwiatkowski (Pol), Omega Pharma - Quick-Step
2013: Moreno Moser (Ita), Cannondale Pro Cycling Team
2012: Fabian Cancellara (Sui), Radioshack-Nissan
2011: Philippe Gilbert (Bel), Omega Pharma-Lotto
2010: Maxim Iglinsky (Kaz), Astana
2009: Thomas Löfkvist (Swe), Team Columbia-HTC
2008: Fabian Cancellara (Sui), CSC ProTeam

Strade Bianche Rosa: Recent winners

2025: Demi Vollering (Ned), FDJ-SUEZ
2024: Lotte Kopecky (Bel), SD Worx-Protime
2023: Demi Vollering (Ned), SD Worx
2022: Lotte Kopecky (Bel), SD Worx
2021: Chantal van den Broek-Blaak (Ned), Team SD Worx
2020: Annemiek van Vleuten (Ned), Mitchelton-Scott
2019: Annemiek van Vleuten (Ned), Mitchelton-Scott
2018: Anna van der Breggen (Ned), Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team
2017: Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita), Wiggle-High5
2016: Lizzie Deignan (GBr), Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team

External links: Official website | Official X feed
Strade Bianche Donne official website 

There were 168 race days across the men's WorldTour season, with the World Championships added in, and 75 race days in the Women's WorldTour, meaning deciding which were the best triumphs of 2022 is a quite difficult endeavour.

I mean, it would be difficult were it not clear which was the best win of the year already: Annemiek van Vleuten's World Championship road race victory in Wollongong was the most memorable end to a race of the year, and possibly one of the most incredible finishes ever, such was the drama.

However, it would be quite a boring list were this to just contain Van Vleuten's Australian adventure, so there are eight more on here for you to recall; some you might have forgotten, and some you almost definitely have not.

Seeing as there is such a breadth of racing to take a pick from, from both women's and men's races, there should probably be some ground rules.

Firstly, all these races are from the WorldTour, the highest level of racing, or the World Championships, or we would get stuck in a never ending list of our own making. Secondly, there can only be one pick per race, otherwise some would dominate while others were forgotten.

The Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes were great, but they can only be represented once. Interestingly, one wonders whether these seem so great in our memory because they were the events of the year, with all the hype; memory is a fickle thing.

Finally, only one pick per rider, or it could be a bit imbalanced towards certain riders, so only one win from Wout van Aert, Tadej Pogačar or Annemiek van Vleuten.

So, off the back of these rules, honourable mentions must go to Mark Cavendish at the British nationals, Tom Pidcock at the Tour, Annemiek van Vleuten at the Giro d'Italia Donne, and Lotte Kopecky at the Tour of Flanders, among others. If you disagree, please feel free to get angry, but remember, this is just my opinion, not a comprehensive list. 

Anyway, here we go, chronologically...

Lotte Kopecky - Strade Bianche

Lotte Kopecky had a great season, which was made all the more impressive by it being her first year with SD Worx, a super team where she could have been crowded out by other talents. Instead, she thrived under pressure. I could have picked her victory at the Tour of Flanders, which I was there for, with all the emotion of a Belgian winning in the Belgian tricolor, but her win at Strade Bianche was more impressive.

The 27-year-old was off the front of the race on three separate occasions, twice with Annemiek van Vleuten, the only rider to have ever won the race twice. The all-conquering Dutchwoman was clearly the rider to watch, and was part of the large group which came into Siena together, along with Kopecky.

However, with the help of her teammate Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, the Belgian timed her attacks perfectly, sprinting around the final corner into the Piazza del Campo in front of Van Vleuten, preventing her from winning a third, and showing what a powerful and shrewd racer she has become.

She used the right line around that last bend, forcing Van Vleuten wide in the process, guaranteeing her the best shot at that famous finish in the middle of the medieval city. It was a perfect start to her time at SD Worx.

"You’re never confident [of beating van Vleuten], but I had a good feeling today, and I knew the person to follow was Annemiek and first, I had to let her go a bit," Kopecky said after. "I don’t know what happened in my head, but I just kept going, and when we turned to the right, I passed her, but then the other corner, she passed me again, and it was really just one sprint to the last corner. It is amazing to win this race."

Tadej Pogačar - Strade Bianche

Back to Tuscany once again - there is something about Strade Bianche that makes it a must-watch, and seems to always produce fantastic racing.

Back in March Tadej Pogačar took a different approach to Kopecky had done earlier the same day, and rather than sticking with the favourites until the final climb, decided to go it alone from far out, very far out in fact. The kilometres to go ticker had barely gone down past 50km when the Slovenian powered off the front on a gravel sector.

It wasn't as much a stinging attack as gliding away, and then holding onto that lead for well over an hour. By the final climb into Siena the race was over, and it looked like a year in which Pogačar would conquer all again - this might not have exactly come true, but there were still golden moments.

Christophe Laporte - Paris-Nice, stage one

Jumbo-Visma seemed on fire throughout the year, and we will come back to their brilliant teamwork a bit later, but this statement victory at the beginning of Paris-Nice set the tone.

Jumbo-Visma used a short third category climb six kilometres from the finish to unleash panic in the peloton and to put themselves into a commanding position that set them up for the win and denied the sprinters the chance they had been hoping would arise.

The trio of Primož Roglič, Wout van Aert and Christophe Laporte flew up the final ascent with the peloton behind them unable to respond, before the three riders descended in unison and then crossed the line as one, Laporte being afforded the honours of taking the stage win with Roglič coming home in second. The peloton were 22 seconds in arrears.

Roglič ended up winning overall, after his team controlled the race from start to finish. Not a bad start to the stage racing season.

Matej Mohorič - Milan-San Remo

With the help of an innovation - a dropper seat post - Matej Mohorič descended to victory at Milan-San Remo, taking his first Monument in the process. 

With the bunch settling momentarily as the Poggio was crested, the Slovenian took his chance to attack, descending with nerves of steel and managing to create a slender gap back to the bunch. There were a couple of nervy moments as he went wide into a corner or two, but he kept it going to power to the line.

As he told Cycling Weekly before Christmas: “To have a plan come together like this is probably a once in a lifetime experience.”

Marta Cavalli - Amstel Gold Race

As we will see, when Annemiek van Vleuten makes a decisive attack, that is usually that, race over. However, back at the Amstel Gold Race it did not go the Dutchwoman's way - although it would at Liège-Bastogne-Liège three weeks later. On this Sunday, though, on her home roads, it was not a day for AVV but for Marta Cavalli.

The Italian caught her companions in the lead group by surprise with just under 2km to go, on the final ascent of the Cauberg, and stormed to victory. In an FDJ-Nouvelle Aquitaine-Futuroscope shorn of their natural leader in Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, the French squad had to get inventive, and were aggressive all day. That spirit did not end, with Cavalli proving her mettle.

Despite the presence of two SD Worx riders - Ashleigh Moolman Pasio and Demi Vollering - and other fast finishers like Kasia Niewiadoma and Elisa Balsamo chasing, Cavalli picked her moment to perfection, and once she got going, no one could stop her. It was an attack full of bravery.

The Frenchwoman would go on to triumph at Flèche Wallonne a fortnight later, proving herself as the Queen of the Ardennes races for 2022.

Elisa Longo Borghini - Paris-Roubaix

There have only been two editions of Paris-Roubaix Femmes to date, and yet we appear to have stumbled upon a formula for the race already: A Trek-Segafredo rider goes on a perfectly timed solo attack, and wins alone in the velodrome. We will have to wait until April to see if this stands up for a third time in a row.

In 2022 it was Elisa Longo Borghini's turn to power to victory across the cobbles. The Italian champion attacked solo with 38km of the race remaining, and though her lead was never secure, her Trek-Segafredo team mates behind made the case difficult.

Behind her, a group of seven women formed in pursuit, but with two team mates in attendance the chase was unable to gel and the Italian took a lead approaching 30 seconds into the Roubaix velodrome.

The win had been set up from early on, with Ellen van Dijk forcing the pace on the first cobbled sector, and by the time Longo Borghini went, no one could match her. A glorious day for the Italian.

Biniam Girmay - Giro d'Italia, stage 10

As landmark wins go, this was a big one, with Biniam Girmay becoming the first Eritrean and first black African rider to win a Grand Tour stage.

The win was a lot more than that though, with stage 10 of the Giro d'Italia becoming more and more chaotic on the run in to the finish in Jesi. The difficulty of the finalé can be seen in the varied names of competitors who finished behind Girmay: Mathieu van der Poel, Richard Carapaz and Romain Bardet were all close.

Coming into the final 500m, the Eritrean hit the front as he launched off of teammate Domenico Pozzovivo's rear wheel. The Eritrean superbly managed to fend off Van der Poel in the closing stages with his superior strength.

Recognising he didn't have the legs to beat Girmay, the Dutchman gave his rival a thumbs up while crossing the finish line. It was beautiful.

Sadly, an incident with the Prosecco cork on the podium meant he had to depart the race early, but the young man will be back at the top. 

Wout van Aert - Tour de France, stage four

Another race in France, another masterclass from Jumbo-Visma. This time, Wout van Aert was the beneficiary of excellent teamwork from Tiesj Benoot and Christophe Laporte, with the final categorised hill providing the launch pad for his audacious attack with 11km to go. Simply put, no one could catch the Belgian in yellow once he had gone.

Jumbo had dramatically upped the tempo on that final climb, splitting the peloton up the hill. Only Ineos Grenadiers were attempting to keep pace through Adam Yates, but Van Aert attacked again and was never seen again.

Such was the surprise of his solo attack that Jasper Philipsen didn't even realise that his sprint for the line was for second place, and the Belgian celebrated as if he had won. The problem was, Van Aert was already warming down ahead of the peloton.

It wasn't the last of Jumbo-Visma's impressive attacks at the Tour - the Col du Granon stage which saw Jonas Vingegaard crack Tadej Pogačar was a highlight, but the day in Calais stands out as a great win.

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig - Tour de France Femmes, stage three

Uttrup Ludwig's biggest victory to date came at the end of a long, tough, lumpy day from Reims to Épernay, and from an elite group that contained the yellow jersey, Marianne Vos, and the eventual overall winner, Annemiek van Vleuten. It also followed an opening couple of days of the Tour where things had been tough for Uttrup Ludwig’s FDJ-Suez- Futuroscope team, with her losing lots of time on GC on stage two, and Marta Cavalli being forced to abandon. 

Even with 200 metres to go, the Dane looked out of it, with Vos, Ashleigh Moolman Pasio and Kasia Niewiadoma looking like they were in the driving seat, but Uttrup Ludwig would surge around the trio in the final 100 metres, to take the biggest win of her career. 

The whole race was a stunning advertisement for women's cycling, Van Vleuten's dominance excepted, and stage three was just another part of that. 

Speaking to Cycling Weekly in December, Uttrup Ludwig could barely believe her success still: “The Tour definitely stands out as the highlight of the season. It was more the circumstances of that day having lost so much time on GC, and having lost Marta [Cavalli] the day before, and everything looking so black and dark, and the team being so down. The day after, to win, to go through such a roller coaster, was very special and kind of amazing. 

“I didn’t know I had won until I had almost crossed the line. OK, the last few metres, when I couldn’t see anyone, but it was not until I crossed the line when I was like, ‘Did this happen?’ I didn’t really think that much, it was just getting to the line. I wanted to make sure no one could overtake me, I wanted this so bad. I was just fighting.” 

Annemiek van Vleuten - World Championships road race

Just remember that Annemiek van Vleuten had a broken elbow when she did this, when she won the worlds for a second time. The Dutchwoman had crashed heavily in the mixed relay TTT just days before the road race, her participation was in doubt, the race looked decided, and then she just went and won the whole thing.

The race looked to be decided by a group of 13 riders heading into the final, with fast finishers like Lotte Kopecky and Arlenis Sierra up there, ready to pounce in the last hundred metres. However, Van Vleuten, who looked like she was out of it, suddenly came out of nowhere in the last kilometre, powering past to claim the win. The moment where nobody jumped onto her wheel decided the whole race; perhaps they were so surprised that they just could not make a decision.

Van Vleuten is a serial winner, but often her victories are not highly entertaining, such is the way she crushes her rivals into submission. But in a wet day in Wollongong, it was an incredible turn of speed which saw her sprint to victory. Simple.

"I’m still waiting for the moment for someone to tell me it’s not true,” Van Vleuten said after the race. “I had such a different plan beforehand. Today I was just a domestique with a broken elbow. And now I’m world champion."

Julian Alaphilippe was pretty sanguine after his spectacular crash at Strade Bianche on Saturday, saying that "crashing is part of the sport".

The French world champion was part of a large coming together in the bunch at about 80km into the race when winds blew riders off the road and into each other; his bike was thrown into the air and he was forced to dive out of harm's way.

Speaking at a Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl press event on Sunday, Alaphilippe said he didn't blame anybody for the accident and that he has "pain in the back".

While he was able to continue the race, his day challenging for the win was over, and instead he ended up helping his teammate Kasper Asgreen, who finished third behind an incredibly strong Tadej Pogačar.

Immediately after the race he said: "I don't know what happened at the fall. There was a lot of wind, which made it very dangerous. I think someone went down in front of me, making it impossible for me to avoid the crash. I've hurt my back."

“It was a critical sector, and we knew there would be a strong side wind,” Alaphilippe explained on Sunday. “The team did a perfect job to have me in a perfect position.

“Sometimes in such a strong wind, it was difficult to stay on the bike. At one moment, I lost contact on the gravel, so I had to pull off one leg,” he described in a media call. “I still can come back on, but the Alpecin-Fenix rider came in front of me.”

Images from after the crash show riders across the field next to the Lucignano d'Asso sector of gravel picking themselves up.

“It’s part of the race, and crashing is part of the sport,” Alaphilippe said. “I don’t blame anybody. I am happy I finished the race. We will see tomorrow, it is still a beautiful race you want to win.”

Some riders, including former winner Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma) were forced to retire from the race after the crash.

Alaphilippe is still on the start list for Tirreno-Adriatico and will ride the opening time trial on Monday.

“I went for an easy ride today,” he said. “I am fine. Of course, I have pain in the back. I need to do massage, and to rest this afternoon.”

His attempt to chase back to the leading bunch left Alaphilippe without the energy to follow Pogačar when he made his race-winning move.

“Even before he accelerated, when I started the important sector, I was already à bloc,” he said. “I was already happy to come back in the bunch from strong support from my teammates. I did the sector full gas, and when Pogačar attacked, I just looked at him.

“I said already that I would start the season not at 100 percent, and I am building my shape to be on the top soon,” he said. “I am pushing for the next days, the next months.”

Tadej Pogačar is one of "the greats" and is a "Campionissimo", Eddy Merckx has said, following the Slovenian's dominant performance at Strade Bianche on Saturday.

The Belgian legend, widely regarded as the best cyclist of all time, is happy to describe Pogačar as his heir.

Aged 23, the UAE Team Emirates rider has one two Tours de France, Il Lombardia, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico and the UAE Tour twice.

In a 13-year career, Merckx won five Tours de France, five Giri d'Italia, as well as all of what are now considered the monuments, 19 victories across them. Strade Bianche was a race he never could have won, it only being started in 2007.

“I’ve always said I don’t like to make comparisons. I’m just happy to have been the best of my generation," the Belgian told La Gazzetta dello Sport after Pogačar won Strade Bianche.

"It’s becoming difficult to find the word to describe what this young guy does. It’s spectacular and formidable. Pogačar is a Campionissimo," he said.   

"Considering he’s just 23, it’s incredible what he’s able to do. There’s a tendency to start winning at a younger age these days but what he’s doing is unique."

So far this season Pogačar has won the UAE Tour and Strade Bianche, and shows no signs of slowing down. His 50km solo attack on Saturday was still remarkable, however, and showed his dominance of the sport.

"I wasn’t surprised to see him attack so early because I’ve never seen him make a tactical mistake," Merckx said.  

"When he makes a move it’s because he’s convinced he can pull it off. That’s a rare quality that only the great riders have."

The Slovenian will line up at Tirreno-Adriatico as the outstanding favourite this week before heading to Milan-San Remo. Merckx did not shy away from saying that Pogačar could win on the Via Roma, and win his third monument in the process.

"Why not? He can definitely attack alone and get away on the Poggio, and so nobody would catch him before the finish," Merckx said. 

The UAE Team Emirates rider will then head to Tour of Flanders for the first time, and while he will not be expected to perform with the best at his first attempt at the cobbled classic, he could still have an impact.

"We’re talking about one of the greats. They never have limits and can’t be judged against ordinary riders. Of course it won’t be easy for him with no experience but when he starts, he'll want to win," Merckx argued.  

"I really like that he always rides to win. That means he trains hard and prepares everything as well as possible.    

"Riders like Pogačar dominate the sport when they are at their best. That’s tough to take for their rivals but good for the sport. The public watches eagerly and that increases the interest in the sport. I’m sure Pogačar will make our sport even bigger."

Pogačar produces yet another masterpiece

Even by the ludicrously high standards Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) has set over the past few years, this was a particularly special ride.

Prior to today, no rider had won Strade Bianche with an attack longer than 20km; but Pogačar, dismissive of any established racing custom, set off on a remarkable 50km solo ride to take victory. 

It didn’t look as though attacking this far out was part of the plan. Although he moved to the front of the peloton on the eighth gravel sector, he appeared to be vying for control of and the best spot in the peloton with Julian Alaphilippe (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), and opened up a small gap ahead of Alaphilippe and the rest apparently by accident. 

Upon getting this gap, he kept looking over his shoulder, perhaps puzzled as to why no other rider was bridging up to him. The truth was that no-one could follow even before he committed fully to the attack, and once he did, there was no catching him.

Thirty seconds grew to a minute, and a minute grew to a minute and a half, and we could only look in awe as Pogačar completed yet another masterclass.

As a result, he adds Strade Bianche to the Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Il Lombardia titles he claimed last year, all before turning 24 — depending on your stance towards the status of Strade Bianche, you could say he’s well on the way to becoming the first ever rider to win all six monuments. These are Merckx-esque statistics, and this was a Merckx-esque performance. 

Kopecky comes of age with first ever World Tour classic

Lotte Kopecky has been recognised as one of the major new talents in cycling for several years now, but this felt like the day she at last came fully of age.

Strade Bianche is easily the biggest win of her career so far, and her first ever classic at World Tour level following several podium finishes in races including Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders. 

It’s also her first win for new team SD Worx, where she has settled in immediately and already looks like a capable successor to the retired Anna van der Breggen.

SD Worx did their usual ploy of outnumbering and working over the other teams, with Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, Demi Vollering and defending champion Chantal van den Broek Blaak all softening their rivals by attacking in tandem throughout the race. But it was clear that Kopecky was their strongest ride, from the moment she was the only rider able to follow Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) on the final gravel sector, to the final showdown in Siena.

Considering that this is a race that arguably doesn’t suit Kopecky as much as other classics, especially those with flat finishes where she can potentially utilise her sprint, this was a real statement-making performance. If she builds upon it to establish herself as SD Worx’s new talisman, she could be in for a huge season.  

Wind and crashes adds to the drama

Strade Bianche has seen all sorts of different conditions over the years, from slippery mud to dusty dry roads in the heat, and this year the riders were faced with yet a new challenge: strong winds.

The conditions added to the spectacle to a race that is always so visually striking, with the gusts blowing the dust in the air, forming an ominous cloud over the race. 

The most dramatic moment occurred early in the race, when a large gust of wind caused a huge crash in the peloton. It was carnage, and many riders had to abandon in the aftermath, including former winner Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma), Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious), the on-form Victor Campanaerts (Lotto-Soudal) and Michael Matthews (BikeExchange), who got a real taste for how hard this race can be on debut. 

The most high-profile victim though was Julian Alaphilippe, who dramatically went over his handlebars right in front of the TV camera. Thankfully he was able to continue, and even looked like he might get himself back into contention to compete for victory after his group of stragglers managed to close a large deficit of over two minutes, just before the business end of the race, 75km from the finish.

But either the crash or the chase, or a bit of both, apparently took a lot out of him, and he instead played a domestique role for teammate Kasper Asgreen, before dropping out the group of favourites.

Asgreen himself rode very impressively to finish third, but there was nothing he or anyone else could do stop of Pogacar.  

Unique finish to the Strade Bianche Donne

While Pogačar won the men’s race with an unprecedented long-range attack, the women’s edition was unique for the opposite reason, as an unusually high number of riders made it to Siena together. 

Although Van Vleuten and Kopecky went clear on the final gravel sector, they were joined gradually by more and more riders, and by the foot of the Via Santa Caterina there were twelve riders still in contention.

This was a highly unusual situation for Strade Bianche, which is usually such a selective race that riders are by this point strewn all across the road with sizable gaps between them. 

A marque showdown had therefore been set up, and it did not disappoint. Van Vleuten once again accelerated, and Kopecky once again was the only rider to follow, and the tension was agonising as the latter clung on for dear life. It seemed like she might lose the meal at any moment during the steep slopes, yet had survived by the time the gradient eased. 

The two then rode side-by-side with the winner still not decided, until Kopecky launched her final sprint. 

It was arguably the most exciting finish yet, of a race that every year finds new ways to excite and entertain us. 

Other great rides that shouldn't be overshadowed by Pogačar

Although Pogačar was the star of the show, further down the road there were plenty of other excellent performances that shouldn’t go unmentioned. 

He might now be 41-years-old, and riding (supposedly) his last season, but Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) still has it in him to not only to match is past performances, but better them: by outsprinting Kasper Asgreen up the Via Santa Caterina to finish second, he registers a career-high finish at Strade Bianche. 

 There was a youthful look to the group of chasers behind, with Attila Valter (Groupama-FDJ) the revelation of the day, finishing fourth in the country where he wore the pink jersey for a spell last May. With him was Jonathan Narvaez (Ineos Grenadiers), who continued his good start to the season with a sixth-place finish, and Quinn Simmons (Trek-Segafredo) making up for the crash that scuppered his promising start here last year to finish seventh. 

Behind Kopecky and Van Vleuten in the women’s race were many of the usual suspects, including Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) with another near finish in fourth, and Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) in seventh, for whom Strade Bianche continues to be a race she hasn’t quite mastered. 

One less familiar name in the mix was Shrin van Anrooij (Trek-Segafredo), although on the basis of how she kept up with the favourites on the dirt roads to ultimately finish ninth, we’ll be seeing plenty of the 20-year-old in the future. 

Tadej Pogačar put in a breath-taking performance to win Strade Bianche with an incredible 50km solo attack.

The UAE Team Emirates rider took the gravel roads of Tuscany in his stride as he added another race to his ever-growing palmarès.

Crossing the finish line in Siena, with a winning margin of nearly forty seconds, Pogačar becomes the first-ever Tour De France winner to win the Italian classic.

On his final appearance at the race before he retires, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) crossed the line second, with Kasper Asgreen (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) finishing third.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The 16th Strade Bianche began and finished in the walled city of Siena with the riders taking on 11 gravel sections over the 184km route around Tuscany.

A relentlessly undulating parcour gave the riders no chance to catch their breath as they cut through the stunning Italian countryside.

Then a gruelling 500m climb awaited them on their return to the city, with the Via Santa Caterina reaching gradients of 16% at times before a downhill sprint to the line.

A breakaway of nine riders managed to form early on with Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) the biggest threat to the peloton to make the group.

They accumulated a four-minute advantage as they took on the first few gravel sections.

However, back in the pack the race was turned upside down with 100km to go as strong crosswinds caused a huge crash in the peloton.

Powerful gusts of wind forced several riders off the road with very few in the peloton managing to escape the carnage.

 Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) was one of the first to go down, being thrown from his bike into the ditch alongside the road. 

Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma), one of the pre-race favourites, was forced to abandon, with Michael Gogl (Alpecin-Fenix) also leaving the race early.

The World Champion’s team put in a huge effort to bring him back into the action after he was distanced, yet the crash would take its toll on the Frenchman as he featured very little in the latter stages of the race.

As the riders arrived at the Monte Sante Marie gravel sector with 50km of the race left, the break was caught and then Pogačar decided to test his rivals’ legs.

The outcome was resounding as the Slovenian created a gap of more than 30 seconds in the space of just a few kilometres.

Ineos Grenadiers’ Carlos Rodriguez was the only rider that even attempted to chase down the two-time Tour De France champion, but he failed to properly bridge the gap.

With under 25km to go, the UAE Team Emirates talisman had built up a gap of more than a minute and the peloton soon swallowed up Rodriguez.

Five riders then pushed on with Jhonathan Narváez (Ineos Grenadiers), Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal), Quinn Simmons (Trek-Segafredo), Kasper Asgreen and Alejandro Valverde attempting to chase down the sole leader.

Asgreen and Valverde left the rest of the chasers behind in the final 15km, but they struggled to eat into the gap to Pogačar.

It meant the Slovenian was able to take on the punishing climb up to the Piazza del Campo with the knowledge that victory was assured.

Valverde, in his final time racing Strade Bianche before he retires at the end of this year, distanced Asgreen in the final kilometre to secure second spot on the podium with the Danish rider coming home 11 seconds later.

Pogačar’s victory sees him become the first Tour de France winner to win the gravel classic.

RESULTS

STRADE BIANCHE MEN'S ELITE 2022: SIENA - SIENA (184KM)

1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo), UAE Team Emirates, in 4-47-49
2. Alejandro Valverde (Spa), Movistar Team at 37 seconds
3. Kasper Asgreen (Den), Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl at 46s
4. Attila Valter (Hun) Groupama-FDJ, at 1-07
5. Pello Bilbao (Spa) Bahrain-Victorious, at 1-09
6. Jhonathan Narváez (Ecu) Inoes Grenadiers, at same time
7. Quinn Simmons (USA) Trek-Segafredo, at 1-21
8. Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal, at 1-25
9. Simone Petilli (Ita) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux, at 1-35
10. Sergio Higuita (Col) Bora-Hansgrohe, at 1-53