Strade Bianche Start List confirmed as Gran Fondo Sells Out

18 WorldTour Men's and 24 women's Teams confirmed to race on the white roads of Tuscany on Saturday March 3, 2018

The Strade Bianche, officially called Strade Bianche - Eroica Pro, is a road bicycle race in Tuscany, Central Italy, starting and finishing in Siena. It has been held annually since 2007, on the first or second Saturday of March. The name Strade Bianche (Italian for White Streets) stems from the historic white gravel roads that are a defining feature of the race. More than 50 km of the total distance are raced on dirt roads.

Despite its relatively short history, the Strade Bianche has quickly gained prestige. As from 2017, the event will be included in the UCI World Tour, cycling's highest level of professional road races. It is organized by RCS Sport - La Gazzetta dello Sport, and is held the weekend before Tirreno–Adriatico as an early spring precursor to the cobbled classics in April. Swiss Fabian Cancellara holds the record with three wins.

Since 2015, a women's event, the Strade Bianche Donne, is held on the same day as the men's race. The event is part of the UCI Women's World Tour and is raced at approximately half the distance of the men's race, containing 17 km of gravel roads spread over five sectors.

Last year, Michal Kwiatkowski from Team Sky attacked a select remaining group of 5 riders with 15 kms to go to win the 2017 Strade Bianche in Tuscany, while Italian, Elisa Longo Borghini won the women's race.

All 18 WorldTour teams, along with Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec and Nippo – Vini Fantini – Europa Ovini, the two wild card teams will battle it out over 184 kms featuring 50kms of the famous white gravel in 11 sectors.

  Ag2r-La Mondiale – France
  Astana Pro Team – Kazhakstan
  Bahrain-Merida – Bahrain
  BMC Racing Team – USA
  Bora-Hansgrohe – Germany
  Dimension Data – RSA
  EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale – USA
  Groupama-FDJ – France
  Lotto-Soudal – Belgium
  Mitchelton-Scott – Australia
  Movistar Team – Spain
  Quick-Step Floors – Belgium
  Team Katusha-Alpecin – Switzerland
  Team LottoNL-Jumbo – Netherlands
  Team Sky – Great Britain
  Team Sunweb – Germany
  Trek-Segafredo – USA
  UAE-Team Emirates – UAE

Wild Card teams:

  Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec
  Nippo – Vini Fantini – Europa Ovini

VIDEO: 2017 Strade Bianche Final Kilometres

Limited VIP places to watch the Pro's and Ride the course at the Gran Fondo Strade Bianche, March 2 - 5, 2018, with VIP Treatment from Italy Bike Tours

Join Italy Bike Tours for an unmissable weekend in the heart of Tuscany to ride, watch and enjoy Strade Bianche and the Gran Fondo Strade Bianche. They have a limited number of priority starting numbers available to those who want to join in the fun at the Gran Fondo. The Strade Bianche (White Roads) is Italy’s version of Paris-Roubaix and held on the dirt roads of Tuscany with the finish in Siena.

Catching the imagination of cycling fans from around the world this Bucket List weekend is great for cyclists, family and cycling fans too.

On Saturday March 3, the Pro Peloton starts from Siena, the 176km race is well known for its 11 sectors, 50 kms of dirt roads, with the 'Strade Bianche' roads twisting through the Tuscan hills. The resulting race profile is simliar to racing on the pave of Northern France or Belgium. The dirt roads include steep climbs and tough descents. For the professionals, sheer good luck, riding ability and bike handling skills are required to win Strade Bianche. Last year, Michal Kwiatkowski from Team Sky attacked a select group of 5 remaining riders with 15 kms to go, to win the 2017 Strade Bianche in Piazza del Campo, Siena.

Sunday’s Strade Bianche Gran Fondo on March 4, offers two routes; a 130 km Gran Fondo and a 77 km Medio Fondo, with 1,350m and 950m of climbing respectively. The Gran Fondo is virtually the same course as the women’s race, with a mix of short climbs and descents through the Chianti vineyards south of Siena. The eight dirt sectors include both climbs and descents with views across southern Tuscany and riders get to enjoy the same finish as the professional race in Piazza del Campo, Siena.

With a priority starting number, you can join the front along with ex-professionals including Fabian Cancellara, the only rider to have won the race more than once and 5,000 other cyclists from around the world.

Highlights

  Watch the Pro Peloton tackle the white roads.
  Enjoy the thrill of riding Italy’s most exciting Gran Fondo
  Discover the delights of traditional Italian cooking.
  Relax and unwind when off the bike in a beautiful Tuscan setting.
  Fall in love with Siena and it’s many cobbled streets.
  Fabulous 4* accomodation with spendid views across the Tuscan countryside

Friday 2nd March

You will be met by Italy Bike Tours staff at Firenze airport and privately transferred to our 4* hotel on the outskirts of Sienna. On arrival at the hotel clients will have time to unpack and unwind before our team of mechanics will assist you with your bike set up. In the afternoon our guides will lead a ride of 70km giving you an opportunity to spin the legs and get some valuable tips on riding gravel roads.  We will visit Sienna on the way and assist you with the registration process. This evenings meal will be served in the hotel restaurant.

Saturday 3rd March

This morning we can look forward to an easy day on the bike but some spectacular viewing of the pro peloton as the fight to win the first ‘classic’ of the year. Our morning ride will lead us to our first viewing point of the race. An opportunity to get up close and personal with the pro peloton. On a arrival back at the hotel you will have time to shower and change before we load up in to the mini buses and take you to more viewing points before arriving in Sienna in time to enjoy a coffeee before the race arrives. This evenings meal will be taken in the hotel restaurant.

Sunday 4th March

An early start as riders will transferred (option to ride) to the start of the Gran Fondo. The Italy Bike Tours staff will be on hand to assist clients and ensure everybody is at the right place at the right time! Non-riders will be embedded (optional) with the Italy Bike Tours and get watch their friends from viewing points around the route. On a arrival in Sienna you will have plenty of time to rejoice in your achievements and reflect upon a great day on the bike! This evening meal will be taken at a nearby local restaurant of your choice.

Monday 5th March

Time to say goodbye to beautiful Tuscany. Please arrange for flights from Firenze airport in the late morning or early afternoon.

What’s included?

  3 nights accommodation
  Breakfast and 2 evening meals
  Priority Race entry, briefing and guidance
  Transport to and from race
  Private Airport pickup/dropoff
  Mechanical team and full support team.
  2 Beautifully planned rides.
  Guided rides

Places are Limited!

Places are limited for this complete package with a priority start, full support and VIP treatment, please click on the button below or visit http://www.italybiketours.co.uk/tours/strada-bianche for more information and booking details.