Strade Bianche 2026: route, schedule and where to watch it

As every early March, Siena fills with cyclists and fans. Today, Saturday 7 March, Strade Bianche 2026 takes place – a young Classic, established in 2007, that has already won over the hearts of fans thanks to the unique spectacle it delivers. Gravel roads, clouds of dust, and the charm of Siena and Piazza del Campo provide the setting for the first major cycling event of the season.

First the women will roll out from the Fortezza Medicea, then it will be the men’s turn, for a day of racing that cycling fans simply cannot afford to miss.

Women's Route

There are 11 gravel sectors for a total of around 33 km off-road, all shared with the men’s race and generally featuring compact, well-packed surfaces. The race starts in Siena, near the Fortezza Medicea, and after a few rolling kilometres on asphalt tackles the first two gravel sectors: the first slightly downhill, the second more selective, with gradients exceeding 10%. After passing through Radi and Buonconvento, the race enters the Crete Senesi with the long San Martino in Grania sector, characterised by constant ups and downs and a final climb with tight hairpins.

After the short but tricky Monteaperti sector, the riders enter the final circuit of around 30 km, featuring short but brutal gravel sections such as Colle Pinzuto and Le Tolfe, with gradients reaching up to 18%. Following a second passage over these final sectors, the race heads back towards Siena for the technical finale that leads to the finish in the spectacular Piazza del Campo.

Men's Route

In total, the race features around 64 km of gravel roads divided into 14 sectors, generally with compact and well-packed surfaces. The race starts in Siena, near the Fortezza Medicea, and after the opening kilometres on asphalt it reaches the first gravel sections around Radi. After Buonconvento, the riders tackle the only significant paved climb of the day, the ascent to Montalcino, before entering a long sequence of demanding sectors including Lucignano d’Asso and Pieve a Salti. In the Crete Senesi, the long San Martino in Grania sector stands out, followed by Monte Sante Marie, where the race usually explodes and the decisive moves begin. In the finale, after Monteaperti, the riders enter the closing circuit with a double passage over the gravel sectors of Colle Pinzuto, dedicated to Pogačar, and Le Tolfe, short but brutally steep. After the final sector, the race heads back toward Siena for the traditional finish that leads into the spectacular Piazza del Campo

The Favourites

In the men’s Strade Bianche, the clear favourite once again is Tadej Pogačar, already a three-time winner in Siena and chasing a fourth victory that would set a new all-time record. His main challengers are expected to be Tom Pidcock, winner in 2023 and always competitive on gravel, and Wout van Aert, who triumphed in 2020 and returns to the race with big ambitions after the emotions he delivered in Siena during last year’s Giro d’Italia. Among the potential outsiders are the young French talent Paul Seixas, as well as aggressive riders such as Ben Healy, Romain Grégoire, and Giulio Pellizzari.

In the women’s race, the favourite is defending champion Demi Vollering, already a two-time winner and in excellent form at the start of the season. Her main rival is likely to be Lotte Kopecky, who has already won twice in Siena. Also among the leading contenders are Elisa Longo Borghini and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, while outsiders such as Katarzyna Niewiadoma could also enter the fight for the podium.

INSIGHT: THE FAVOURITES
INSIGHT: THE WOMEN’S FAVOURITES

Schedule and further details

Strade Bianche Women: 133 km
Distance: 136 km
Start: 10:15 a.m.
KM 0: 10:20 a.m.
LIVE coverage opens (women and men): 08:45 a.m.
Estimated finish: around 2:00 p.m.

Strade Bianche Men: 203 km
Distance: 203 km
Start: 11:40 a.m.
KM 0: 11:45 a.m.
Estimated finish: around 4:15 p.m.

Where to watch it on TV?

In Italy, the women’s race will be broadcast starting at 12:00 on the RaiPlay platform, while the men’s race will be shown on Rai 2 from 2:20 p.m.

Across Europe, both events will also be broadcast live on a pay-TV basis on Eurosport, with additional coverage across many territories on Discovery+ and HBO Max.

Fan-Zone Le Tolfe

A privileged viewpoint on the race along one of its most iconic gravel sectors. From the dedicated fan area, you will be able to watch as many as four rider passages on the climb, experiencing up close the magic and adrenaline that make this race unique on the international cycling calendar.

Each passage will be an explosion of emotion: the cheers of the crowd, the sound of wheels on gravel, the decisive accelerations. An experience that only being there in person can deliver with such intensity. On 7 March 2026, this will be the beating heart of Strade Bianche.

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