Strade Bianche 2026: Route Unveiled with 14 Gravel Sectors

The White Roads Await

The 2026 Strade Bianche Crédit Agricole route has been unveiled, and the early-season classic remains one of the most visually stunning and tactically demanding races on the calendar. Set for Saturday, March 7, the race once again winds through the Tuscan countryside, alternating between stretches of asphalt and the iconic white gravel roads of the Crete Senesi.

This year's edition sees a slightly trimmed course compared to previous years, with both the men's and women's fields tackling fewer gravel sectors. But don't mistake fewer sectors for an easier race—the organisers have preserved the demanding, selective character that makes Strade Bianche one of the season's most anticipated one-day races.

The Men's Race

The men's race covers 201 km from the Stadium and Fortezza Medicea in Siena to the breathtaking finish on Piazza del Campo. Riders will navigate 14 gravel sectors—down from 16 in previous editions—totalling 64.1 km of white roads.

• Distance: 201 km
• Gravel sectors: 14
• Total white roads: 64.1 km
• Start: Stadium/Fortezza Medicea, Siena
• Finish: Piazza del Campo, Siena

The course alternates between gravel and asphalt throughout, with no single extended climb but plenty of punchy ascents that gradually wear down the legs. The Montalcino climb—4 km at 5%—provides an early test, but the real selection comes in the finale.

The final approach into Siena remains as brutal as ever. Via Esterna di Fontebranda hits 9%, before riders face the notorious Via Santa Caterina da Siena, which ramps up to a leg-breaking 16% gradient. From there, it's a short dash to the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo—one of the most dramatic finishes in professional cycling.

A notable feature of this year's course is the final circuit, which allows spectators to catch riders at multiple points as they approach the finish.

The Women's Race

The women's race also takes place on March 7 and covers 131 km over 11 gravel sectors—two fewer than the previous edition—with 33 km of white roads in total. All 11 sectors are shared with the men's course, ensuring the women face the same technical challenges and terrain.

• Distance: 131 km
• Gravel sectors: 11
• Total white roads: 33 km

The women's finale includes the same selective climbs into Siena, meaning the race should produce a similarly aggressive and unpredictable conclusion.

A Weekend of Racing

Strade Bianche weekend is more than just the professional races. Team presentations take place on Friday, March 6, at the Fortezza Medicea, giving fans a first look at the squads before they take on the white roads.

On Sunday, March 8, the 11th edition of the Gran Fondo Strade Bianche Estra rolls out for amateur riders. The gran fondo covers approximately 140 km with 42 km of gravel across 9 sectors, and over 8,500 participants have already registered—a testament to how popular riding the strade bianche has become.

What to Expect

The reduced sector count doesn't fundamentally change the race's DNA. Strade Bianche has always been about the relentless alternation between gravel and tarmac, the dust (or mud), and the savage finale through Siena's medieval streets. With 64 km of white roads still on the menu for the men, there's more than enough terrain for the race to blow apart.

The course rewards riders who combine power, bike handling, and tactical awareness—exactly the profile that has produced recent winners on this course. March 7 can't come soon enough.