Strade Bianche 2025, March 8, one-day classic (men's)

[Ilmaestro99]

My Slovenian son told me pogacar will be beaten by cristain scaroni tomorrow

 

[steffr222]

Not a monument and will never be a monument. Let‘s be honest. Still looking forward to watching it, even with the obvious Pogi win.

No Mvdp, no WVA? Yeah, it‘s no monument. More important races to come. Simple as that.

Btw expect top 10 for Withen Philipsen and Mathias Vacek

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

We are mere hours away from the start of this race. I know some of you don't really like it, say it's boring, not a monument, and I get it. But I really love this race. Riding these roads is on my bucket list, and I'm jealous of any of you who have ridden them.

 

[Unchained]

We are mere hours away from the start of this race. I know some of you don't really like it, say it's boring, not a monument, and I get it. But I really love this race. Riding these roads is on my bucket list, and I'm jealous of any of you who have ridden them.

It's a great race, monument status is relative. Lots of rocks and loose gravel are going to put many on the deck and some extra mechanicals. Teams have little to counter the favorite and only moves are to send quality riders early and see that if UAE and others with a chance , counter and keep control..

Don't know who will crash out but with fast conditions and no traction, mistakes will be made!! By who? And spare wheels will be a thing.. Everything set for awesome experience for race fans!!

 

[Savant12]

We are mere hours away from the start of this race. I know some of you don't really like it, say it's boring, not a monument, and I get it. But I really love this race. Riding these roads is on my bucket list, and I'm jealous of any of you who have ridden them.

It's more interesting than MSR; as long as Pog doesn't solo from 100km out.

 

[Sciatic]

Full post by Bettiol

I know it won’t happen, but if decent teams believe they can’t beat Pogacar straight up then they should try radically alternative strategies. But they won’t because when it doesn’t work they will lose out on UCI points and the DS will be subjecting to ridicule. The only really alternative is this: if riders know they can’t stay with Pog when he launches, then they have to be ahead of him before that. Teams that are deep enough should have their top tier riders going in early moves and hope that other teams will do that as well. Sure UAE will chase down a break attempt if they see someone who is a potential danger, but at least UAE will have to work harder throughout the race. As a rider I could totally get thinking “hey I’m just going to focus on getting on the podium.” But that doesn’t excuse DS’s of other big teams throwing in the towel before the race even starts.

 

[Rob5091]

Psychic Psammy's prediciton -
UAE to TTT it with about 120 km to go until Porsche Pogi lits the blue touch paper and proceeds in glorious procession like style and arrives in Siena waving to the adoring multitude. That is apart from one Slovenian boy.

 

[Berniece]

Yep MVP is so much better. Maybe Remco is too. Can't wait for Remco to show the world how Pogacar is a fraud.

What are you on about? And what is your obsession with Remco Evenepoel?

 

[RedheadDane]

Today is International Women's Day, so I think it's only fair if we - whenever possible - refer to the riders by their relationship with a woman. So... when do you guys think Urska Zigart's fiance is going to attack? And do you think Abi Mickey's husband can repeat his podium success from last year?

 

[yaf2]

Today is International Women's Day, so I think it's only fair if we - whenever possible - refer to the riders by their relationship with a woman. So... when do you guys think Urska Zigart's fiance is going to attack? And do you think Abi Mickey's husband can repeat his podium success from last year?

I hope he doesn't attack before the tv coverage starts and for the podium pidcock and scaroni should be favourites

 

[Pantani_lives]

So how does the course of the early editions compare to the current one? In 2012 there were only eight unpaved sectors; now there are sixteen. They added a few new sectors, and the loop means that some of the sectors are done twice.

Two of the toughest climbs were already there: the long Monte Sante Marie and the short but steep Le Tolfe. Another longish climb has been added: the San Martino in Grania, 93 km before the finish.

So it has become tougher: the distance is longer and there are more unpaved sectors. There's more climbing, but the longer climbs are further from the finish. For some it can be too tough, but it remains a unique race that has set the trend of including gravel in a road race.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Pogi's first race in Europe and it kinda feels like his first race of the year actually (UAE Tour more like an off-season obligation).

So will Pogi attack early or will he save his energy for the final sprint? So many questions to answer!

 

[Hugo Koblet]

So how does the course of the early editions compare to the current one? In 2012 there were only eight unpaved sectors; now there are sixteen. They added a few new sectors, and the loop means that some of the sectors are done twice.

Two of the toughest climbs were already there: the long Monte Sante Marie and the short but steep Le Tolfe. Another longish climb has been added: the San Martino in Grania, 93 km before the finish.

So it has become tougher: the distance is longer and there are more unpaved sectors. There's more climbing, but the longer climbs are further from the finish. For some it can be too tough, but it remains a unique race that has set the trend of including gravel in a road race.

I don't really think it makes a difference. At least not if you look at the top 10 from the last few editions. It seems like a perfect mix of climbers and classics riders. If you showed me the top 10 from the last five years without me knowing the parcours for each, I wouldn't be able to tell you that 2024 was much tougher than the others. If anything, 2024 had Laporte in the top 10, and he's arguably the worst climber to finish in the top 10 the last five years.

 

[rokovski]

Moho not starting, illness.

 

[armchairclimber]

I went to that part of the world a couple of times last Spring. I loved it ... although I was mainly driving through as my father's chaufeur/minder.
I wish I hadn't just read through the early part of this thread though, which seemed to be people that do not intenmd to watch the race mithering about it.
Personally, I love it. Can't wait.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Today is International Women's Day, so I think it's only fair if we - whenever possible - refer to the riders by their relationship with a woman. So... when do you guys think Urska Zigart's fiance is going to attack? And do you think Abi Mickey's husband can repeat his podium success from last year?

Yeah, let's not do that. Anyway Sara Casasola's current or former boyfriend, depending on whether they're actually still a couple, for the win.

 

[SafeBet]

Yeah, let's not do that. Anyway Sara Casasola's current or former boyfriend, depending on whether they're actually still a couple, for the win.

Hispter's take on the Vino option.

 

[Peyroteo94]

How many km they can do in 2h40? 120 km? Seriously, I'm furious. We will only have live coverage with 90 km to go. Peloton will already be in pieces.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

How many km they can do in 2h40? 120 km? Seriously, I'm furious. We will only have live coverage with 90 km to go. Peloton will already be in pieces.

Let's hope that Teddy decides for a sprint option then!

 

[QueenStagiaire]

How many km they can do in 2h40? 120 km? Seriously, I'm furious. We will only have live coverage with 90 km to go. Peloton will already be in pieces.

I‘d guess more like 110 kilometers, the rolling gravel roads aren‘t really that fast.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I‘d guess more like 110 kilometers, the rolling gravel roads aren‘t really that fast.

Until 13h05 they will do 110 km? That is something like 42 kph. Maybe you are right. Last year Pogacar completed the course in 40 kph.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

How many km they can do in 2h40? 120 km? Seriously, I'm furious. We will only have live coverage with 90 km to go. Peloton will already be in pieces.

Yeah, every year I hope they'll improve the coverage, but they never do. Not good enough to only have about half the race live.......

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Yeah, every year I hope they'll improve the coverage, but they never do. Not good enough to only have about half the race live.......

well if they promised to make it in to a monume ....

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yeah, every year I hope they'll improve the coverage, but they never do. Not good enough to only have about half the race live.......

Only to promote women race. They are doing nudging with us in order to increase women cycling's popularity. Just do the race in a different day.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Only to promote women race. They are doing nudging with us in order to increase women cycling's popularity. Just do the race in a different day.

But they start the women's coverage too late as well........They are hopeless at race coverage. It's only 2025.....