Strade Bianche sector named after Pogacar following record-equalling victory

When Tadej Pogačar bounced back from a crash on the white roads of Tuscany at Strade Bianche in 2025 to roar his way to a third victory at the increasingly iconic race, the World Champion drew himself level with Fabian Cancellara on three victories at the race, a joint record. 

Not only did this mean that he now sits level with Spartacus in the record books, but like Cancellara, Pogačar will now have a stretch of sterrato named in honour of him ahead of the 2026 edition.

Following Cancellara’s three victories in 2008, 2012, and 2016, the Swiss star saw the Monte Sante Marie sector named in his honour. 

For Pogačar, this marker comes in the shape of the Colle Pinzuto sector, which has become increasingly influential in the race, and in recent years has been tackled twice. 

The sector was where Pogačar managed to distance Tom Pidcock on his way to a hat-trick win in Tuscany last year. Both of Pogačar’s previous race-winning moves before that in 2022 and 2024 came on the Monte Sante Marie sector, now named after Cancellara.

Pogačar is set to start his 2026 season at Strade Bianche, where he will be aiming to stand alone as the record holder for most victories by claiming a fourth win at the race, and kick-start another emphatic season of racing. 

As is often the case, the Colle Pinzuto sector could be a decisive part of the race when the race kicks off on Saturday, March 7.

The route for the 2026 edition will see some differences from the previous year, with the race distance being trimmed from 215km to 201km, and the amount of gravel reduced from 80km to 64km across 14 sectors.