12th Strade Bianche Donne, one-day Miniment + 17th Trofeo Oro in Euro, March 7th-8th, 2026

[Samu Cuenca]

Italy is calling, and the white roads of Tuscany are ready to welcome the riders for another hopefully memorable edition of one of the most iconic newer races in the sport.

Last year's race saw Demi Vollering become victorious for the second time in her career, but if the recent trend continues, it will once again be Lotte Kopecky's turn to come out on top in Siena. Kasia Niewiadoma showed in Omloop that Vollering won't necessarily be able to drop her for fun, and as former gravel World champion she must be delighted to be able to ride on real gravel here. Elisa Longo Borghini did her usual thing in UAE and is looking to be victorious on home roads (well Trofeo Binda next week is of course taking place much closer to her actual home) for the second time in her career, thus equaling the record held by Vollering, Kopecky and Annemiek van Vleuten. Anna van der Breggen can achieve that same feat.

Tour de France champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot scored her first ever podium in this race last year and could be hungry for more, depending on how much she's been eating in the weeks leading up to the event. Her sister and current French gravel champion Axelle Dubau-Prévot is sadly not on the start list, but Magdeleine Vallieres, Cédrine Kerbaol, Puck Pieterse, Marianne Vos, Kim Too-many-last-names, Silvia Persico, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, Shirin van Anrooij, Yara Kastelijn, Liane Lippert, Mischa Bredewold and many others are.

Silke Smulders, who unfortunately crashed out of Setmana Valenciana, is the only rider form last year's top 10 that's missing from the start list, but her teammate Monica Trinca Colonel is there to defend Jayco's honour.

Full start list: https://firstcycling.com/race.php?r=9044&y=2026&k=8

In 2025 they went live with 61 km left. I can see in my TV schedule that the broadcast will begin at 11:45, so if we get live pictures from let's say 12:10, we could be looking forward to 65 km of action if we're lucky.

Hold your horses, so they don't end up interfering with the race, and enjoy a lovely Saturday glued to the screen!

 

[RedheadDane]

Surely, "Miniment" applies to races like... MSR, Flanders, PR, LBL, you know... the women's editions of Monuments.

Hold your horses, so they don't end up interfering with the race, and enjoy a lovely Saturday glued to the screen!

If you live in New Zealand, it might not be necessary to hold any horses.
Unless you happen to have a pegasus...

 

[Samu Cuenca]

We are live with just shy of 67 km left, and we've got a trio with Van Anrooij, Chabbey and Blasi with a small lead.

 

[SafeBet]

Many riders crashed before the coverage started. Persico and Niewiadoma among others.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

25-30 riders are in the front group. FDJ got the numbers.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

It doesn't look like we will get a tactical race, or that a group of lesser names has a chance to go clear. The only questions are when Demi will put the hammer down, and whether anyone will be able to follow her when she does.

Ok, as I wrote that, Chabbey actually attacked to put pressure on the other teams.

 

[Salvarani]

Kopecky bad day

 

[Samu Cuenca]

This is a better situation for UAE than FDJ, but it won't really mater when the gap isn't bigger.

A bit of a scary moment for Borghesi. And now a mechanical for PFP.

 

[Salvarani]

Tricky corner that one before Le Tolfe

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Vollering dropped?

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Demi's got an issue, too, but the rest aren't slowing down.

 

[Salvarani]

It was a puncture for Vollering I think

 

[Salvarani]

It was a puncture for Vollering I think

Or least the commentator said it was said on the race radio... but now she just looks a bit deflated

Maybe just bad day

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Now it can definitely end in multiple different ways. Włodarczyk is MVP for ELB.

 

[Didinho]

Just tuned in. Didn’t expect this situation.

Most of the Dutch CX riders in front. SD-Worx working now.

And Demi switched bikes, no number on this one.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The gap looks smaller, but the cooperation in G2 isn't great. And now the moto wanted them to go even more off road.

 

[Netserk]

how did they end up there

 

[Salvarani]

OMG

scandal...

 

[Didinho]

The moto made them go in the wrong direction. Game over for G2.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Vollering Group takes a wrong turn and looses massive time. But I don't think they would've come back anyway.

 

[Netserk]

okay so the moto led them the wrong way

 

[RedheadDane]

The moto driver didn't think there's enough gravel?

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Ah, gravel road, that must be the right way

 

[Samu Cuenca]

At least it didn't look like they were going to come back anyway, but still a massive fail by the driver.

 

[Salvarani]

Terrible from moto

But riders has some responsibility as well