Road cycling ‘s one-day classics season is up and running, and this weekend attention turns to the region of Tuscany in Italy for the annual running of the Strade Bianche .
On 4 March 2023, the city of Siena and the surrounding region will host 25 men’s and 23 women’s teams in races across the region’s famed white gravel roads, which lends the events their name (Strade Bianche is Italian for "White Roads").
The southern-most "Northern Classic" is one of the first chances for riders to secure a prestigious win as the classics season kicks into full gear. While the women’s Strade Bianche (Strade Bianche Donne) has traditionally opened the UCI Women’s World Tour season, the race is the fifth (and second in Europe) on this year’s calendar. It is also the fifth race of the men’s UCI World Tour 2023 season.
Read on to discover this year’s route, riders to watch, and how you can catch the action. How to qualify for road cycling at Paris 2024
Strade Bianche 2023 route
The men’s race takes place over 184.0km (114.3mi) and includes 11 gravel sectors totalling 63km (39mi) , while the women’s race will be held over 136.0km (84.5mi) with 31.6km (19.6mi) of gravel sections – all eight of which also appear as part of the men’s course.
Both races begin and end in Siena and are made for all-round riders, with short, punchy hills as well as the demanding gravel sections.Of the gravel sectors, Sector 11 (Sector 8 for the women) […]
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