Strade Bianche has trimmed gravel for 2026 after Pogacar’s dominance

Strade Bianche was made more challenging by the race organisers in 2024 with an increase in overall distance and number of gravel kilometres, with recent question marks about whether the race has, in fact, become too difficult. 

In both editions of the men's race since the change, Tadej Pogačar has emphatically soloed his way to victory, and even a nasty crash in 2025 couldn’t stop him from beating Tom Pidcock, who, himself, was well clear of the rest on the day. 

Additionally, former winners Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel have both chosen to skip the previous two editions, indicating that the route has become far less suited to Classics specialists than it once was.

It appears that the race organisers have taken this into account for the 2026 routes, with some notable changes announced in January. Firstly, the men's race will be reduced in overall distance from 215km to 201km.

Secondly, the amount of gravel will also decrease from 80km to 64km across 14 sectors. The two gravel sections that have been cut from the race are La Piana, which is 6.4km in length and Serravalle, standing 9.3km long. Additionally, the first gravel section, Vidritta, has also been reduced in length from 4.4km to 2.4km.

Despite these changes, the core of the race remains the same, with key sections such as Monte Sante Marie, Colle Pinzuto and Le Tolfe remaining as they were, with the latter two part of a 30km circuit towards the finale, which also features the new Strada del Castagno section and Montechiaro. 

The climbs of Colle Pinzuto and Le Tolfe are then repeated once more, before the iconic finish up the Piazza del Campo climb in Siena.

The women’s race is 131km in length with 32.6km of gravel roads stretched over 11 sections. The eleventh and final section of Le Tolfe ends with less than 12km from the finish line in Siena.

Pogačar headlines the start list for the men’s race and could win a record-breaking fourth edition of the race. The world champion is currently tied on three victories with Fabian Cancellara and will be joined by Isaac del Toro.

Former winners Julian Alaphilippe and Tom Pidcock are also set to start, as well as 2020 winner Wout van Aert, who last participated in 2021.

Other names already on the provisional start list include Matteo Jorgenson, Romain Grégoire, Quinn Simmons and Paul Seixas. 

Fresh off an incredible 2025, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot will return to the white roads of Tuscany looking to improve on a third-place finish from twelve months ago. 

The Tour de France Femmes champion is joined on the start list by former winner Anna van der Breggen. The 2026 Strade Bianche and Strade Bianche Donne will  both ake place on Saturday, March 7.