Fabian Cancellara to have stretch of Strade Bianche named after him if he wins this weekend
Riders who take three Strade Bianche titles will get a stretch of the famous gravel named after them
Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) could be the first rider to have a stretch of the famous white gravel roads of the Strade Bianche one-day Classic named after him...if he manages to take the win this coming Saturday.
It was confirmed to Cycling Weekly this week that Spartacus would indeed have his name forever attached to a section of the race if he becomes the first rider to win three editions.
Cancellara won two previous editions of the race in 2008 and 2012, and is looking for a third victory in his final year as a professional; though he'll face some stiff competition from a mix of Grand Tour contenders and Classics riders.
The race was only introduced to the calendar in 2007, with the inaugural edition being won by Russian Alexander Kolobnev, but has already established it as a favourite on the calendar because of its mix of climbs, gravel roads and scenery.
But it's not just Cancellara, the only rider to have won two editions so far, who's eligible for a bit of gravel to be named in their honour.
Any rider who goes on to win three editions of the race will get the same treatment, and while it's not quite a hairpin on Alpe d'Huez, it's still a pretty good statement of your career to have to look back on when you retire.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
'Our costs are going up but customers can’t pay more': Community bike shops are making cycling affordable, but can they afford to keep the doors open?
Not-for-profit setups designed to make cycling accessible are feeling the pinch - but the communities they're designed to serve can keep them alive
By Isobel Duxfield Published
-
Small Cost, BIG Features | Is This Indoor Training Platform Worth The Switch?
icTrainer costs 9x less than the market leader but this indoor training platform is still jam packed with features
By Sponsored Published
-
Tweets of the week: Fabian Cancellara has a PS5 for you, and SD Worx's riders have fun in California
The World Cup might be distracting you, but cycling still exists, come on
By Adam Becket Published
-
Parkhotel Valkenburg announce they are skipping Strade Bianche and Trofeo Binda
Parkhotel Valkenburg have announced they will not be racing Strade Bianche or Trofeo Binda because of concerns over corona virus.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Fabian Cancellara: 'Don't compare Strade Bianche with Paris-Roubaix'
Classics legend Fabian Cancellara says Strade Bianche cannot be compared to the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix.
By Gregor Brown Published
-
Should Strade Bianche be cycling’s sixth Monument?
It may lack history, but the Italian one-day race is serving up some of the most spectacular racing all season
By Peter Cossins Published
-
Pneumonia stops Gianluca Brambilla from riding in Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico
Italian Gianluca Brambilla forced to sit out Strade Bianche as he suffers from a respiratory infection
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Fabian Cancellara challenges Phil Gaimon to beat him in a 'Chasing Cancellara' race
Challenge comes after Phil Gaimon repeated the rumour in his book 'Draft Animals' that Fabian Cancellara may have used a hidden electric motor during the 2010 season
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Phil Gaimon issues statement on Fabian Cancellara motor doping allegation
American former pro rider Phil Gaimon issues statement relating to the passage in his book 'Draft Animals' that alleges Fabian Cancellara could have used an electric motor in 2010
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Fabian Cancellara's lawyers demand book that alleges motor doping be withdrawn from sale
Phil Gaimon's book 'Draft Animals' claimed that Fabian Cancellara probably had a hidden electric motor in his bike during 2010 Classics wins – now Cancellara wants an apology
By Nigel Wynn Published