Tom Pidcock wins Strade Bianche – Live coverage

Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews’ live coverage of the 2023 Strade Bianche elite men’s race.

The action is about to kick off on the gravel roads of Tuscany, and with reigning champion Tadej Pogačar absent from the startlist, today will see a new winner crowned.

It’s been a week of wet weather in the local area but conditions have dried up for today’s race. Read about how conditions could affect the racing here.

Last year’s race was memorable not only for the outcome but also for the spectacular crash that saw then World Champion Julian Alaphilippe crash out in dramatic fashion. 

The French rider returns to the race with his Soudal-QuickStep team this year for another attempt at the classic which he won in 2019. Read about his ambitions for the day here.

The men’s race will be underway shortly. Departing from Siena, the route covers 184km in total, with roughly 63km of that over the famous sterrato, or gravel roads. It finishes with the leg-breaking climb up to the Piazzo del Campo.

Find out how to watch Strade Bianche here.

Last year the race was won by a rampant Tadej Pogačar, who broke away from the leading group to strike out on his own 50km from the finish.

Mathieu Van der Poel returns to Strade Bianche two years after his stunning victory in 2021. His long-time rival Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) withdrew from the race earlier in the week, though. The Dutch rider for Alpecin-Deceuninck discussed his expectations for the race yesterday.

Ineos Grenadiers’ Tom Pidcock returns to the race in good form. A natural favourite to make the final selection, given his strength off-road, Pidcock spoke of his hopes for the race here.

The men’s race is underway, and the early attacks have begun, with attempts by riders from Movistar and UAE Team Emirates, among others, to escape the pack.

With two gravel sectors done and dusted, the bunch are still compact, with no breakaway yet established.

160km to go

Sven Erik Bystrøm of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty is obviously feeling good today, he attacks, with Alessandro De Marchi (Team Jayco Alula) for company.