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.
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.
The final climb of the Via Santa Caterina has rapidly become one of cycling's most famous finishes
(Image credit: RCS Sport)
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)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
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.
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The finale is the same as the men’s, the steep and famous climb to the Pizza del Campo up the Via Santa Caterina.
Tom has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine.
Since joining the team, he has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the World Championships in Glasgow. He has also covered major races elsewhere across the world. As well as on the ground reporting, Tom writes race reports from the men's and women's WorldTour and focuses on coverage of UK domestic cycling.
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