The Strade Bianche arrives in 2024 in this 18th edition this Saturday, March 2. A relatively young race in the calendar. But, due to its special characteristics, has quickly positioned itself as a great goal for many cyclists.
Bringing back the essence of classic cycling from the 20s and 30s of the last century, the Strade Bianche added to the brutality that cyclists had to face back then on unpaved roadsor of ‘sterrato’ as they are called in Italy. Today, in the 20th century1, runners with better means (bikes, parts, physical preparation), face sections of this type in a furious one day testwhich this year also adds more mileage and unpaved roads than before.
Route: the most difficult Strade Bianche in history
The ‘psychological’ barrier of 200 km was passed for the first time in the Tuscan test, passed from 184 km to 215 kmto bring it within striking distance of many of the historical classics on the calendar.
Besides, increase the land area by 7 km with respect to the 2023 edition, added 15 sectors. All in all, they will be 70 km unpaved For this year, approx. 30% of the entire route.
There will be no shortage of classic and decisive exam sections: Lucignano, Monte Sainte Marie, Monteaperti, Colle Pinzuto or Le Tolfe, as well as climbing Montalcino (paved) in the first third of the race. And, of course, the last slope of via Santa Caterina towards the goal of Piazza del Campo in Sienawith ramps of up to 15% gradient through the narrow streets of the medieval center of the famous Tuscan city.
Favorites: Pogacar’s debut in 2024
Tadej Pogacar is running as the main favourite to victory in the Strade Bianche 2024. The Slovenian from the UAE returns to the event two years later, after it wins in 2022. In addition, he made his debut this season, having rested for a long time since last October 8, when he triumphed in the Giro de Lombardia.
To add to his second victory in the Italian event, He will have a great team around him developed by Joao Almeida, the promising Isaac del Toro and Jan Christen, Marc Hirschi and Tim Wellens. A great team that will be the reference of the race.
Pogacar will have the British as its main opposition Tom Pidcock, to be joined by Geraint Thomas, Arensman or Kwiatkowski (winner of the Strade Bianche in 2014 and 2017), Sepp Kuss on behalf of Vismathe feisty EF Education team, including Ben HealyCarapaz and Alberto Bettiol and Julian Alaphilippe and Kasper Asgreen for Soudal-Quick Step.
Referring to participation of the Spanishhighlights the presence of Iván García Cortina, Gonzalo Serrano and the young man Carlos Canal by Movistar, David de la Cruz of the Q36 team and Cristian Rodríguez at Arkéa – BB Hotels.
Furthermore, on the same Saturday the Strade Bianche Donnewhich is also part of the UCI Women World Tour and will have runners like the Dutchwoman on the starting line Demi Vollering (last year’s winner), the South African Ashleigh Moolman (recent gravel winner Santa Vall) or the Polish Katarzina Niewiadoma.
Schedule and where to watch Strade Bianche 2024 on TV
The race can be followed live on television in Spain by Eurosport 2 pay channel and in the streaming of eurosport.es. The telecast of women’s test will start at 12 am and ends around 2 pm While the the men’s race will connect at 2 p.m. and ends around 5 pm
Source: La Verdad
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