The 2024 editions of Strade Bianche include an extra loop of hilly racing through the Tuscan vineyards and more gravel sectors than ever before, elevating the races closer to Monument status. Yet the changes could create different races for the men and women, that tips the balance in favour of climbers and so reducing the chances of the Classics riders.
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers), Demi Vollering and Lotte Kopecky (both SD Worx-Protime) are arguably multi-talented but the new route could suit UAE Tour winner Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto Dstny) and Simon Yates (Jayco-AlUla) on the men’s side, but prove too tough for the likes of Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious), Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-QuickStep) and Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ).
A tougher course should favour Kopecky and defending champion Vollering, but could leans the scales toward Shirin van Anrooij (Lidl-Trek) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM).
Whoever wants to climb between the crowd on Via Santa Caterina and then triumph in Piazza del Campo will need the bike skills for the Tuscan gravel and the ability to climb the steep climbs.
Alberto Bettiol is from the Tuscan countryside between Florence and Siena and did a special early reconnaissance ride for his EF Education-EasyPost teammates. He hinted that the now 215km long men’s Strade Bianche is out of his reach but could suit his teammates Richard Carapaz, Neilson Powless or Ben Healy.
“I went to see the new loop about a month ago. There’s nothing that we haven’t seen before or see every year at Strade Bianche but for sure the extra loop makes the race longer and harder,” Bettiol told Cyclingnews.
Other riders began to arrive in Tuscany on Wednesday, including Pidcock, and quickly began several days of reconnaissance rides and training in the area as the rain eased and began to dry out the gravel roads.
US national road champion Quinn Simmons arrived at the start of the week with his family. Strade Bianche has been a personal goal for him since he made the big-name selection in 2021, only for a puncture to end his chances. He was seventh in 2022 when Pogačar attacked alone and hoped for a similar result, despite the tougher course.
“Strade Bianche is the race I look forward to most in the season. In my previous three experiences I learned about the route, its pitfalls, how and where the race can explode, as well as how to play my cards,” Simmons said.
“The new course adds…
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