Strade Bianche 2020
Latest News from the Race
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Wout van Aert adds Strade Bianche winning Bianchi to his bike collection
Belgian keeps his dirt-covered jersey and bike for future personal museum -
6 conclusions from the men's Strade Bianche
Van Aert's first Classic, unfamiliar weather, luck of the stars, and more -
Strade Bianche – Gallery
100 stunning images from the men's and women's WorldTour restart in Tuscany
In 13 short years, the Italian one-day race Strade Bianche has almost – almost – pulled itself up to be on a level, excitement-wise, with the 'Queen of the Classics', Paris-Roubaix.
What both races share, of course, is the unpredictability and photogenicity of their off-road sections: cobbles for the more than 120-year-old Paris-Roubaix and the 'white (gravel) roads' that give Strade Bianche its name.
Since 2007, Strade Bianche has consistently delivered in excitement, with wet editions – just like at Roubaix – particularly sought after by both fans and photographers, if not the riders, due to the white roads turning to a much browner mud and covering the competitors' faces to make them all but unrecognisable at the race's beautiful, uphill finish at Siena's Piazza del Campo.
The fact that Strade Bianche grew out of an amateur sportive event in Tuscany – the Monte Paschi Eroica, which was created in 1997, and is ridden by cycling enthusiasts on vintage bikes, recreating the races of old on gravel roads – makes it all the more extraordinary, as things normally happen the other way around.
The 2019 edition saw French darling Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-QuickStep) get the better of Astana's Jakob Fuglsang in Siena, with Jumbo-Visma's Wout van Aert trailing in to complete the podium.
While Van Aert could be expected to be a winner at Roubaix one day, Alaphilippe or Fuglsang are unlikely to ever win 'The Hell of the North', making Strade Bianche the much more democratic Classic. The race has enjoyed a different winner almost every year since 2007, with only Poland's Michal Kwiatkowski – winner in 2014 and 2017 – and the now-retired Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara, who won in 2008, 2012 and 2016, able to take repeat wins at one of the most-looked-forward-to races on the calendar.
Races
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Strade Bianche 20201 August 2020 | Siena | WorldTour
Latest Content on the Race
Wout van Aert: I kept the faith even in hard times
By Stephen Farrand published
News Belgian savours Strade Bianche victory a year after Tour de France crash
Dillier out of Strade Bianche after positive COVID-19 test
By Stephen Farrand published
News AG2R La Mondiale says Swiss rider will quarantine
Van Avermaet: I always start Strade Bianche with the thought of winning it
By Stephen Farrand published
News Belgian giving Ochowicz more time before deciding on 2021 team
Mathieu Van der Poel aiming for solo Strade Bianche success
By Cyclingnews published
News Alpecin-Fenix rider says heat will be a major factor
2020 Strade Bianche Men's start list
By Cyclingnews published
Start List Official starters as of July 31, 2020
Philippe Gilbert: Every race could be the last
By Barry Ryan published
News COVID-19 uncertainty will make for early aggression at Tour de France, says Belgian
Strade Bianche to be raced under a scorching Tuscan sun
By Stephen Farrand published
News 37°C temperatures forecast for Saturday afternoon
8 riders to watch at Strade Bianche
By Stephen Farrand published
Feature Our picks from the big-name start list for Saturday's men's race on the Tuscan dirt roads
Top News on the Race
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Bettiol produces inspired ride at Strade Bianche
Tuscan EF Pro Cycling rider fourth after aggressive race on local roads -
Formolo regrets missing out on home victory at Strade Bianche
'I suffered in the hot weather' says UAE Team Emirates rider -
Schachmann: It was a tricky, dangerous Strade Bianche
Bora-Hansgrohe rider handled the heat and gravel to finish on the podium
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Jakob Fuglsang: It's nice to be back racing, but wow!
Dane regrets going into the red with Strade Bianche attack -
Wout van Aert: I kept the faith even in hard times
Belgian savours Strade Bianche victory a year after Tour de France crash -
Dillier out of Strade Bianche after positive COVID-19 test
AG2R La Mondiale says Swiss rider will quarantine
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Van Avermaet: I always start Strade Bianche with the thought of winning it
Belgian giving Ochowicz more time before deciding on 2021 team -
Mathieu Van der Poel aiming for solo Strade Bianche success
Alpecin-Fenix rider says heat will be a major factor -
Philippe Gilbert: Every race could be the last
COVID-19 uncertainty will make for early aggression at Tour de France, says Belgian
Related Features
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6 conclusions from the men's Strade Bianche
Van Aert's first Classic, unfamiliar weather, luck of the stars, and more -
Strade Bianche – Gallery
100 stunning images from the men's and women's WorldTour restart in Tuscany -
2020 Strade Bianche Men's start list
Official starters as of July 31, 2020 -
8 riders to watch at Strade Bianche
Our picks from the big-name start list for Saturday's men's race on the Tuscan dirt roads -
What is the Covid-19 coronavirus and how might it continue to affect professional cycling?
The Cyclingnews 'explainer' to the virus threatening to change the face of the 2020 racing season