Strade Bianche 2026, March 7, one-day race

[Krzysztof_O]

It's time for another edition of white road racing. The gravel race through winding roads of Tuscany, despite its short history, quickly became one of the most prestigious and liked non-monument one-day races. It's also the place where the alpha of cycling, Tadej Pogacar, begins his season. The route is shortened (202 km) compared to previous two editions (perhaps as a response to overly dominant Teddy's wins) but it still has a lot of climbing (3500 m) and gravel sectors. Will anyone threaten the dominator? Who will be on the podium? Pidcock had a very strong performance last year, Pogacar's superdom (Del Toro) is also a candidate for top spots and there's the French prodigy Seixas, who recently made another performance leap in Drome-Ardeche. The field is generally very stacked with top notch riders like Healy, Van Aert, Simmons, Carapaz, Jorgenson.

Profile and map:

Key sector, which could be the place of Pogi's attack 70-80 km from the line:

Another one (47 km from the line), another potentially key segment:

Favourites:

Pogacar *****
Pidcock, Del Toro ***
Healy, Simmons, Seixas and a few others **

 

[Earns1985]

Would really like to see van der Poel riding this race. Excluding Seixas unpredictability, he would still finish at least second here in my opinion.

Seixas is now basically the only dark horse, who could make the race interesting. Don´t see anyone else, who could challenge Pogacar.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Would really like to see van der Poel riding this race. Excluding Seixas unpredictability, he would still finish at least second here in my opinion.

Seixas is now basically the only dark horse, who could make the race interesting. Don´t see anyone else, who could challenge Pogacar.

Pidcock was very good last year but still was left in the dust by hurt Pogacar. Del Toro could benefit from Pogi's babysitting there (if the Slovenian is in generous mood). Seixas is an unknown but top3 is possible given his progress curve. It's a pity there's no Van der Poel, an all-time great in classics the previous winner after all. The route is more difficult than a few years back but he still would be contednting for top places (but heavy underdog vs Pogacar).

 

[SafeBet]

Del Grosso will start his season here. The profile is probably too demanding to expect anything but nice to see him ride Strade Bianche for the first time in his career.

 

[Berniece]

Del Grosso will start his season here. The profile is probably too demanding to expect anything but nice to see him ride Strade Bianche for the first time in his career.

Find it weird his schedule hasn't really been announced. He's doing Strade and then Tirreno, but what after this?

 

[ashhutch1997]

Adding the extra loop to make it harder has killed this race. The 2018 - 2021 were great as it suited many different riders, but it's too hard now.

 

[James M]

Adding the extra loop to make it harder has killed this race. The 2018 - 2021 were great as it suited many different riders, but it's too hard now.

Wellens was 3 last year. Its more of a cope than excuse for Mvdp and co to not ride just cause Pogacar is. Route in itself is beatiful imo its just that one guy is 3x better than everyone but Strade isnt the only place that is the case

 

[canina82]

Adding the extra loop to make it harder has killed this race. The 2018 - 2021 were great as it suited many different riders, but it's too hard now.

What has killed this race is Pogacar's development. You put this Pogacar in any route of SB and he would win without much troubles.
MSR is very exciting due to Pogacar, not a long time ago, this race was super boring and organization even decided to add le Manie and some years later they decided to add Pompeiana (despite not being raced. I don't remember why it wasn't raced). In 5 years, Pogacar and MVP will be gone and we will see, once again, this route is pure garbage.

 

[jono]

Wellens was 3 last year. Its more of a cope than excuse for Mvdp and co to not ride just cause Pogacar is. Route in itself is beatiful imo its just that one guy is 3x better than everyone but Strade isnt the only place that is the case

Wellens is a better climber than van der Poel. In fact, everyone on last year's results sheet is a better climber up to Magnus Cort (4.5 minutes back). Vermeersch is the only other rider in the top 11 with lesser climbing abilities, in my opinion.

In a field that included MVDP but not Pogacar, van der Poel would not be the favourite.

 

[Rob5091]

What's the weather forecast? 2018 in the mud was a great edition.

 

[James M]

Wellens is a better climber than van der Poel. In fact, everyone on last year's results sheet is a better climber up to Magnus Cort (4.5 minutes back). Vermeersch is the only other rider in the top 11 with lesser climbing abilities, in my opinion.

In a field that included MVDP but not Pogacar, van der Poel would not be the favourite.

Sure but my point is that he could still get a good result nonetheless especially if he methodologically tried.

Point is just its not entirely down to the route only its more Pogacar is so superior here than the route itself. Remove Pog and I could easily see MvdP podium this current version of Strade if he tried.

I understand why he of all people with his palmares dont tho thats not the point, point is just route is doable in itself

 

[jono]

Sure but my point is that he could still get a good result nonetheless especially if he methodologically tried.

Point is just its not entirely down to the route only its more Pogacar is so superior here than the route itself. Remove Pog and I could easily see MvdP podium this current version of Strade if he tried.

I understand why he of all people with his palmares dont tho thats not the point, point is just route is doable in itself

Just like Liege and Amstel, he could do well at Strade (ie: top 5 or top 10 even though a win is unlikely) whether or not Pogacar shows up. But it is not worthwhile making it a priority when he has bigger fish to fry, and more likely winning and legend-building opportunities in the weeks that follow.

I also feel like some of the prestige of this race has faded. I don't see any "sixth monument" talk any longer.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

MVP would be an underdog, like all other top guys but I definitely think his chances for top3 would be very high.

 

[James M]

Just like Liege and Amstel, he could do well at Strade (ie: top 5 or top 10 even though a win is unlikely) whether or not Pogacar shows up. But it is not worthwhile making it a priority when he has bigger fish to fry, and more likely winning and legend-building opportunities in the weeks that follow.

Agreed but for me it was more the case of the route in itself is nice maybe trending to hard last year but now pretty smooth atleast from a general point of view and offers chances to a variety of versatile riders and not only specialist

 

[SafeBet]

What's the weather forecast? 2018 in the mud was a great edition.

Shoud be sunny and dry.

 

[Cycling111]

Adding the extra loop to make it harder has killed this race. The 2018 - 2021 were great as it suited many different riders, but it's too hard now.

They've reduced the difficulty this year.

VDP would easily finish second here. If Pogacar weren't racing, I think he'd be there.

 

[Berniece]

What has killed this race is Pogacar's development. You put this Pogacar in any route of SB and he would win without much troubles.
MSR is very exciting due to Pogacar, not a long time ago, this race was super boring and organization even decided to add le Manie and some years later they decided to add Pompeiana (despite not being raced. I don't remember why it wasn't raced). In 5 years, Pogacar and MVP will be gone and we will see, once again, this route is pure garbage.

2021 was the best edition, he doesn’t win that by a default. The race was always very interesting. Calling it boring before Pogacar won is silly

 

[Rob5091]

Shoud be sunny and dry.

Yep, just had a look at the forecast for Siena and it looks like a dry and dusty edition this year.

 

[AmRacer]

Yep, just had a look at the forecast for Siena and it looks like a dry and dusty edition this year.

When Pogi takes off

 

[Strawberry_Jams]

They've reduced the difficulty this year.

VDP would easily finish second here. If Pogacar weren't racing, I think he'd be there.

I'm sure they haven't.. just took a bit off the start. Still got the loop at the end.

 

[Berniece]

I'm sure they haven't.. just took a bit off the start. Still got the loop at the end.

Indeed, it’s not much easier at all

 

[Sciatic]

The annual question for this race: will coverage begin before Monte Sante Marie or will we miss that key section. If I remember last year they started the broadcast earlier than in most years past?

 

[canina82]

2021 was the best edition, he doesn’t win that by a default. The race was always very interesting. Calling it boring before Pogacar won is silly

What? I said this route is just boring because Pogacar is much better than everyone else. And yes, this current Pogacar beats MVP in any route of SB.
The route we have nowadays would be perfect if Pogacar didn't exist.