Thomas Pidcock, first British winner of Europe’s most Southern Northern Classic in 2023, returns to defend his title. The Crete Senesi will host he season debut of Tadej Pogačar, dominator of the 2022 edition, in a cast that includes former winners Julian Alaphilippe (2019) and Michal Kwiatkowski (2014, 2017). The 2014 Ponferrada World Champion, by winning the Strade Bianche, would equal Fabian Cancellara’s quota of three victories, earning him the right to the naming of a memorial stone in one of the sectors. Among the most eagerly awaited stars at the start are Egan Bernal, third placed in 2021, Valentin Madouas, second placed in the last edition, Lennert Van Eetvelt, winner of the UAE Tour, Kasper Asgreen, third placed in 2022, Christophe Laporte, reigning European Champion, and Matej Mohoric, who has won at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana at the start of the season.