Spring classics follow one another in quick succession: Saturday, March 4th is entirely dedicated to Strade Bianche, which has become a men’s and women’s classic in no time. Who will succeed Tadej Pogacar and Lotte Kopecky in Siena? Read all in our guide.
This is how it was last year:
Across the Tuscan landscape like a whirlwind: Tadej Pogacar gave everyone a racing lesson at Strade Bianche 2022.
However, the Slovenian was also one of the countless victims of a spectacular fall 100 km from the finish.
Julian Alaphilippe, among others, took to the Italian air, and other frontrunners like Tiesj Benoot had to really pack there.
The reigning world champion was back in the lead, but 50 kilometers from the finish he was blown away by a Slovenian tornado.
At Monte Sante Marie – the hardest part of the day – the unrestrained Pogacar began an uninhibited solo that was straddling Siena with flying colours.
path:
The recipe won’t change for the 17th edition either: the organization will freeze the success formula for these classic grits. Feel free to describe it as the slopes of Liège-Bastogne-Liège in the dust jacket of Paris-Roubaix.
At 11:40 am, the peloton will leave Siena for a 184-kilometre run through Tuscany. Completion is expected between 4.15pm and 4.45pm in the center of a Tuscan pearl.
The trail is naturally paved with gravel roads. A total of 63 kilometers will be laid out on the riders’ board, divided by 11 ‘Cituri Stirati’.
It’s a mixed bag of short and long stretches that often require little equipment and there’s a regular flirtation with double gradients.
Do not underestimate the many treacherous slopes and bends. After 11 kilometers, the vacuum cleaner is set into motion for the first time.
Pay close attention to the very long Sectors 5 and 6 (which follow one another at great speed), Strip 8 (11.5km to Mont Sainte Marie, “the hardest race”), 10 (Colli Pinzotto) and 11 (Le Toffee).
Tadej Pogacar was the emperor at Monte Sante Marie last year, at Le Tolfe Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel solved their previous years demons.
Le Tolfe features a treacherous plunge, and the launch pad to an 18 percent incline.
After the final dust strip, the riders will have to wait another 12 kilometers for the finish in Siena.
It’s in Piazza del Campo after a very tough final kilometer on Via Santa Caterina (16 percent peak).
List of participants:
The first meeting in 2023 of all the contemporary toppers in this business has been eagerly awaited, but Strade Bianche is a bit headless.
Tadej Pogacar is focusing on Paris-Nice, and Wout van Aert is not yet fit enough after falling ill in training.
This makes Matthew van der Poel the biggest eye-catcher in his debut season. Table mates Julian Alaphilippe and Tom Pidcock also draw the starting card.
The Belgian colors were defended by former winner Tiesj Benoot, Tim Wellens, Mauri Vansevenant, Maxim Van Gils, Gianni Vermeersch, Greg Van Avermaet and others.
From the mixing bowl of classic types and climbers we also distill Belo Bilbao, Matej Mohorik, Aleksij Lutsenko, Sergio Higuita, Aleksandar Vlasov, Alberto Petiol, Valentin Maduas, Michal Kwiatkowski, Carlos Rodriguez, Jonathan Narváez, Costa Valtra, Rutin among others Simmons and Diego Ulissi and Brandon McNulty and Andreas Kron.
Living in Spurza:
- sporza.be and sporza app: Live stream with end-to-end text updates on this page, live stream from 1.30pm, first reactions and afterthoughts
- televisionBroadcast starts at 1.30pm on One with commentary by Carl Vanyukerke and José de Cower
- Radio 1Broadcast begins at 1pm with commentary by Christophe Vandegoor
Strade Bianche for women:
This is how it was last year:
The Belgian tricolor flutters in Siena. Lotte Kopecky raised her flag there, the beginning of a wonderful spring.
Annemiek van Vleuten did everything to bring down the Belgian champion, but Kopecky was made of iron.
After Via Santa Caterina, she was also excellent in the technical corner section and with her experience on the track, had (until then) the greatest success of her career.
path:
The women’s peloton also has a rendezvous with cobblestone roads. They have to get up early.
Ladies start at 9.25am and are expected to arrive in Piazza del Campo between 1.15pm and 1.45pm.
Their circuit is 136 kilometers long, consisting of 8 gravel sectors totaling 31.6 kilometers.
Colle Pinzuto, Le Tolfe and Via Santa Caterina: luxury products for men also form the basis of this recipe.
List of participants:
Lotte Kopecky tours with one back number and is supported by Demi Vollering, among others.
Annemiek van Vleuten wants to say goodbye to Tuscany with a bang, and traditional cheerleaders such as Elisa Longo Borghini, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, Katarzyna Niewiadoma, Silvia Persico and Ashleigh Moolman will, of course, be in attendance.
Another tantalizing name: the multi-talented Puck Pieterse has already taken her campaign on the road.
Living in Spurza:
- sporza.be and sporza app: Live with end-to-end text updates on this page, live from 11:50am.
- televisionStreaming starts at 11.50am on One and starts at 12.55pm on Canvas. Commentary by Robyn van Gucht and Ian Payne.
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