Fabian Cancellara to ride alongside amateurs at Strade Bianche Gran Fondo
Fabian Cancellara has confirmed he will race at Strade Bianche in March and will take part in the amateur sportive over the same course the following day

Fabian Cancellara has confirmed he will race at Strade Bianche in March, as he attempts to win the Italian race for a third time.
Trek Italia sponsor the Gran Fondo Strade Bianche, the affiliated sportive that takes place the day after the professional race, and Cancellara and his Trek-Segafredo teammates will ride in that event also.
In a press release from race organisers RCS Sport, Cancellara said: “On March 5 I’ll try to win Strade Bianche for a third time and then on March 6th I’ll be with Trek Italia at the start of the Gran Fondo and I’ll try to ride will you. Train hard because I’ll be there…”
>>> Watch: The best finishes at Strade Bianche (videos)
“The Strade Bianche weekend is one of my favourite weekends in the spring. It’s one of the races I really look forward to. I think it’s great that amateur riders can enjoy the same experience as the pros because the scenery is just stunning. Trek Italy is committed to the Gran Fondo and this year we will also take the start of the Grand Fondo, which will be quite special for us.”
The tenth edition of Strade Bianche takes place on 5 March over a 176km course, 53km of which is ridden over the white gravel roads which give the race its name. Cancellara is the only man to have won the race more than once, winning the second edition in 2008 and again in 2012.
Zdenek Stybar won last year's Strade Bianche with an excellently-timed sprint in the final kilometres, just beating BMC's Greg van Avermaet to give Etixx-Quick Step a second consecutive win at the event, following victory in 2014 for Michal Kwiatkowski.
The WorldTour teams in this year's race include AG2R-La Mondiale, Astana Pro Team, BMC Racing, Etixx-QuickStep, Lampre-Merida, Lotto Soudal, Movistar Team, Orica-GreenEdge, LottoNL-Jumbo, Team Sky, Tinkoff, and Trek-Segafredo.
They will be racing alongside Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec, Bardiani CSF, CCC Sprandi Polkowice, Nippo-Vini Fantini, Southeast, and Team Novo Nordisk.
Thank you for reading 10 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
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
-
Giro d'Italia Live: Race reaches Rome for one final sprint stage; Primož Roglič poised to win the pink jersey
The 2023 Giro d'Italia comes to an end with a ceremonial stage in the nation's capital
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
My Training Space: 'Work, rest and play – I do everything in here!'
Massage therapist and athletic all-rounder Andy Keegan walks us around his do-it-all garden training room
By David Bradford • Published
-
Rider who shot former head of state's cat has Trek-Segafredo contract terminated
Antonio Tiberi was previously suspended without pay, but now fired after his actions during suspension did not meet team's criteria
By Adam Becket • Published
-
New Trek Ballista is brand's ‘fastest, most aerodynamic’ helmet yet
Company drew on pros expertise in designing new lid
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Tweets of the week: Trek-Segafredo get excited about kit, and Tadej Pogačar raps
It might be the off season, but there are still a couple of things happening, kind of
By Adam Becket • 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
-
'This was my most beautiful victory' - Giulio Ciccone overwhelmed by Giro d'Italia win
The Italian powered to an impressive solo victory on stage 15 of the Giro on Sunday
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Which WorldTour team has the best kit for 2022? We take a look through the wardrobe
Now almost all the kits are out, here are our measured ratings of racing kit ahead of the 2022 season
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Giro and Tour de France double win 'possible' for a 'big champion', says Elisa Longo Borghini
Italian champion says she would like to go to the first Tour de France Femmes with an open role
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Lizzie Deignan: Tour de France Femmes will be 'dynamic' compared to men's Tour
Trek-Segafredo rider says that eventually she would like to see a three-week Tour for women
By Adam Becket • Published