Tadej Pogačar chasing a historic fourth victory, Wout van Aert looking to confirm his status as a gravel specialist. That will be one of the central storylines of Strade Bianche 2026, which takes place tomorrow, Saturday 7 March. Two great champions facing off once again – the latest chapter in a long series of duels that have thrilled fans, from the cobbles of the Northern Classics to the roads of Milano-Sanremo.
There is little doubt that the Slovenian rider is the number one favourite for victory at Strade Bianche 2026. After completing a hat-trick of wins last year, a commemorative milestone was placed in his honour on the Colle Pinzuto gravel sector, but the UAE Team Emirates XRG leader has no intention of giving up the crown.
In Siena, Tadej Pogačar has produced some of the finest performances of his career, launching long-range attacks that ended in spectacular victories – including last year’s remarkable ride, when he remounted after a crash and still managed to drop Tom Pidcock.
Unlike in previous years, Tadej Pogačar will have Isaac Del Toro by his side, the Mexican rider who finished second in last year’s Giro d’Italia stage ending in Siena. On that occasion, Del Toro was beaten by Wout van Aert, who now returns to Strade Bianche after several years away, once again confirming himself as one of the favourites for overall victory.
Last year, on the sterrati featured in that Giro stage, Van Aert defeated Pogačar’s teammate in a two-man sprint in Piazza del Campo. Winner of Strade Bianche in 2020, the Belgian has already shown encouraging form this season at Le Samyn, where only a puncture prevented him from being competitive in the finale. The legs, however, are clearly there.
Moreover, Wout van Aert is one of the very few riders who can claim to have beaten both UAE Team Emirates XRG stars last year. In addition to his victory in Siena, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider also got the better of Tadej Pogačar in Paris, in the final stage of the Tour de France, with a spectacular move on Montmartre. Strade Bianche will host the first duel between the two this season — with another showdown already looming at Milano-Sanremo.
