Strade Bianche: dust, dirt roads, and the finish in Piazza del Campo
There are races that are recognized by the finish line. The Strade Bianche is recognized even before: by the dust that rises behind the cyclists, by the Tuscan dirt roads, by the ups and downs that test legs and mind. And by the unique scenery. It is a road cycling race that takes place every year in March and takes its name from the white roads, the dirt sections that have now become a symbol of the competition.
Since its early editions, the Strade Bianche has had its finish in Piazza del Campo in Siena, transforming one of the city's symbolic places into the most anticipated finale of the race. The start, on the other hand, has changed over time: first Gaiole in Chianti, then San Gimignano in 2014 and 2015, until the current start from the Medici Fortress of Siena. A route that over the years has increasingly strengthened the bond between the race and the city.
From Monte dei Paschi Eroica to the UCI World Tour
Initially, the race was called Monte dei Paschi Eroica, in homage to the main sponsor of the competition. The organization has always been managed by RCS Sport, linked to Gazzetta dello Sport and also the organizer of the Giro d'Italia.
Since 2015, there has also been a women's race, while in 2017 the Strade Bianche became part of the UCI World Tour. Over the years, the race has grown to attract big names in cycling, including Julian Alaphilippe, Mathieu van der Poel, and Tadej Pogačar, winner of the latest edition.
The route in Siena: the final challenge before the finish
The city passage is one of the most awaited moments. Cyclists enter Siena from Via di Fontebranda and tackle the climb of Via Santa Caterina, with a gradient of 15% on cobbled ground: a short stretch, but one that drains the legs of the riders.
From there, the route crosses Via delle Terme, Piazza Indipendenza, again Via delle Terme, then Via di Città, Banchi di Sotto, Via Rinaldini, and finally Piazza del Campo. It is the moment when the fatigue of the dirt roads meets the beauty of the city.
Why the Strade Bianche is a unique race
The Strade Bianche is a race for experts: it requires endurance, technical skills on dirt roads, and control in the continuous changes of gradient. The white roads, now a symbol of cycling, were once thoroughfares for merchants and farmers. This very contrast makes the race so powerful: sport, landscape, and memory merge into the same route.
Strade Bianche and Gran Fondo: two ways to experience the race
The Strade Bianche is defined as the “Northern Classic furthest South in Europe,” the race of professional champions. Alongside it, the Gran Fondo Strade Bianche, open to all those who want to experience the charm of the route, choosing between the long course of 137.7 km and the short one of 87 km.
Experience the Strade Bianche in Siena where the dust of the dirt road enters the historic center and cycling arrives in the heart of Piazza del Campo.
