As it happened: 2026 Strade Bianche won by long-distance attack on dry day in Tuscany
Elite men compete across a shortened 201km course with 64km of gravel on the roads to Siena
Hello and welcome to the 2026 men's Strade Bianche!
He’a back! Almost five months since rounding off another historic season by winning Il Lombardia, Tadej Pogačar is back racing again, and the expectation is for him to pick up from where he left off and start terrorising the opposition once more.
Strade Bianche is also a race Pogačar knows down to a tee, and he’s proven to be unstoppable here in recent years, winning all three of the editions he has started since 2022.
Will this year’s edition be quite so straightforward for Pogačar? Not necessarily. As sublime as the Slovenian has been these past two seasons, those standards he has set are impossibly high to maintain for too long, he inevitably must peak eventually - could that peak have already come?
And then there’s the factor of the other riders catching up, especially a new generation ready to rise - epitomised by 19-year-old Paul Seixas. Today the stunningly-talented teenager makes his Strade Bianche debut, and is braced for a duel against Pogačar in what could become a great new rivalry.
Also potentially playing against Tadej Pogačar’s strengths are changes made to the route. After years of getting harder and harder, the organisers have this time tweaked it to make it shorter, feature less gravel sectors, and therefore less brutally difficult - which will (in theory at least) make it harder for the Slovenian to ride away from the rest of the field as he has in previous editions.
We’re still waiting for the men to get going, but the women’s race is already well underway and into the gravel sectors. You can follow along with all the action here with Cyclingnews.
The men are on the move - they're making their way through Siena towards the official start, which is only a matter of minutes away.
Tadej Pogačar at the start, about to begin his mission to get his hands on that trophy once more.
Early predictions of it being a mild, dry day have come into fruition, and so the peloton are set to take on the infamous gravel roads in their dry form, rather than the wet mud that has been the case in some recent editions.
Pogačar at the start, with some of the peloton's national champions - most notably Quinn Simmons in his American champion's jersey.
There’s been a crash already, and we’re not even onto the gravel roads yet. About half a dozen riders have gone down.
None of the fallers seem badly hurt, and all are back riding again.
The peloton is through the second gravel sector, but still remains together with no break having gone clear yet.
Unfortunately, we already have news of abandonments - Albert Withen Philipsen, Kim Heiduk and Robbe Dhondt are all out of the race. It’s unclear if they were involved in a crash.
A first glimpse of the peloton up close on the road today. The weather is dry, which will make for a duty race over the white gravel roads.
The riders at the front of the peloton, engaged in the battle to form the day's break.
Another abandoned to report - Luca Paletti of the Bardiani team.
Here's a small group that tried, but failed, to get away.
While we wait for a break to form, let’s have a look at some of the favourites, the men most likely to take the race to Tadej Pogačar today.
A group of about ten has gone clear, and it’s got some impressive names in it, including young talent Tibor Del Grosso.
That group has over a minute on the peloton. It seems we have our break of the day!
There are nine riders in this breakaway group:
In the absence of Mathieu van der Poel - who deems the Strade Bianche route to be too demanding for his attributes - Tibor Del Grosso is leading the Alpecin-Premier Tech team, and is a dangerous man to let into the day’s break.
Further up the road, it’s all kicking off in the women’s Strade Bianche - a reminder that you can follow along with all of the action in that race with us too.
Strade Bianche Women LIVE - Chabbey and Włodarczyk lead as riders take on key gravel sectors
Tadej Pogačar riding safely in the peloton on the gravel roads.
Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! Find out more.
Here are the nine riders up the road in the day's break.
Back to looking at some of today’s favourites.
As well as Tadej Pogačar and Tom Pidcock, Wout van Aert is another former winner taking part today. It’s been a long time since his triumph here in 2020, and changes in the route to make it more difficult, in addition to a decline in his form, has made him a less likely winner. But you can’t write off a man of his quality, even if the Belgian himself is unsure how well he can challenge.
The riders have crested the Montalcino climb, which is a rare obstacle in this race in that it is a climb, but over a tarmacked road.
The nature of the race and the chaos of the gravel means there are plenty of incidents that go unreported. Here’s Quinn Simmons being held up by an incident earlier. Each rider will have their own individual stories with ups and downs, and we’ll only learn the full picture in the race’ aftermath.
The riders present in the break demonstrates how, although a one-day classic known for its road surfaces, Strade Bianche is these days a climber-friendly race. Jack Haig and Patrick Konrad are both riders better known for their exploits in the mountains and stage race GC battles than as classics men.
UAE Team Emirates XRG leading the peloton.
Though he’ll be riding in service of his teammate Tadej Pogačar, Isaac del Toro has a chance to get a strong result for himself too today. The Mexican is on electrifying form already this year, taking overall victory at the UAE Tour, and, having excelled at the gravel stage of last year’s Giro d’Italia, looks well-suited to Strade Bianche.
The peloton, still being led by UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
GRAVEL - PIEVE A SALTI
The riders are out of the frying pan that was Lucignano d’Asso, and into the fire of the fifth gravel sector, which is 8km with a vicious uphill towards the end.
The women’s race is coming to a close, and it’s been a thriller. Be sure to find out what happens here.
A crash on the gravel, with three riders down - George Bennett, Markus Hoelgaard and Aaron Dockx.
The riders are off the gravel. There's some respite now until the 6th section, San Martino in Grania - that's where the race could really get going, with potentially decisive, race-shaping attacks.
The much-hyped Paul Seixas has negotiated all of the day’s gravel sections so far, despite his lack of experience here. He’s tried to play down expectations, but many - not least the French public - are anticipating much from him today.
We're nearing the San Martino in Grania gravel section. Things are getting tense!
GRAVEL - SAN MARTINO IN GRANIA
They’re onto the gravel now. This one’s 9.4km, is mostly uphill, and has been given the maximum five star rating. We can expect carnage!
Matej Mohorič is an outside bet for victory today, having shown something of a return to form early season, and as a master on the gravel as proven by his victory at the World Championships three years ago.
The peloton has broken up on this gravel section. It's been reduced to about 40 riders.
The break up the road, now only 40 seconds ahead.
The peloton's bigger than 40 riders again - it seems some are catching back on now that they're back on the tarmac.
The break's lead is collapsing, now down to a mere 20 seconds. The catch could be imminent.
90KM TO GO
UAE Team Emirates-XRG lead the peloton as they approach the next section, Monte Sante Marie. If history is an indication, this could be where their man Tadej Pogačar first lays the hammer down.
All the major favourites appear to still be in the peloton. A couple of Ineos riders have been dropped, however - Axel Laurance and Connor Swift.
Mechanical for Matteo Jorgenson. He’s having a bike change. Jorgenson is antother rider who could be right up there today, riding alongside Van Aert for Visma-lease a Bike.
Jorgenson's back in the peloton already. That was a smooth change.
We won't spoil it here, but if you want to read about what happened in the women's Strade Bianche, here's our report.
Florian Vermeersch leads, Pogacar on his wheel.
The break has been caught.
Del Toro and Paul Seixas are right behind Pogačar in the peloton, which remains large.
As is Jorgenson, but his teammate Van Aert is further adrift.
Pidcock is still up there - his mechanical was a slipped chain rather than puncture, thankfully.
There are splits opening up, Healy one of the riders caught behind.
About 10 riders are clear in a lead group - Pogacar, Del Toro, Pidcock, Gregoire, Seixas, Jorgenson, Lapeira and Labrosse are all there, being led by Jan Christen of UAE.
Pogacar moves to the front on a downhill part of the gravel sector.
Pidcock is on his wheel, but the others are being distenced.
Seixas, Jorgenson and Del Toro are a few seconds behind Pog.
Seixas is leading the chase, he's living up to the hype!
80KM TO GO
Pogačar made his move with about 80km to go, but hasn't quite blown everyone away just yet.
And here comes Seixas - he’s ridden his way back onto Pogacar’s wheel!
Pogačar accelerates again, and he's dropped Seixas!
Del Toro is third on the road, and behind him Jorgenson, followed closely by Pidcock and Grégoire.
Pogačar's gap over Seixas is growing...
Del Toro has now caught up to Seixas. UAE Team Emriates are in a perfect situation.
Seixas isn't giving up the ghost, and is about 20 seconds behind Pogačar. But with Del Toro say on his wheel, things are very difficult for him.
UAE leading the peloton, before Pogačar's devastating attack.
Pogačar has finished Monte Sante Marie, and his lead over Seixas and Del Toro is getting bigger - it's now up to 45 seconds.
The gap's now being reported as 28 seconds. In which case Seixas might not be out of contention just yet.
The chasing trio of Jorgenson, Grégoire and Pidcock are a further 20 seconds behind them. Might it be more useful for Seixas for them to join him, so he can have some assistance in the chase?
70KM TO GO
So the situation on the road is that Pogačar leads the race, Seixas and Del Toro behind at 30 seconds, and Jorgenson, Grégoire and Pidcock next on the road at 45 seconds.
Behind them is a chase group being led by Van Aert, a whole minute behind the Pidcock/Jorgenson/Grégoire group.
The trio can see Seixas and Del Toro. Can their presence add some impetus to the chase?
The all-important moment Pogačar went clear from the others.
Paul Seixas is sitting up and waiting for the chasing trio to join. A wise move - persisting alone would have been the mistake of over-zealous youth.
Seixas and Del Toro have been joined by the three chasers.
Can the chasers work together to bring Pogačar back? Right now it’s advantage Pog as his lead grows to 1:00, but there is a lot of firepower in this group if Seixas, Pidcock, Jorgenson and Grégoire are all willing to go hard in this chase.
Del Toro, meanwhile, is just sitting at the back of this group, resting up while his teammate leads the race.
A familiar sight - Pogačar leading the race in his rainbow stripes.
The Van Aert chase group has gotten smaller, with himself and about 7 other riders going clear - among them are Valgren, Simmons, Bilbao, Lapeira and Jan Christen.
Healy is also in that group, and is attacking it.
60KM TO GO
Despite the coming together, the chase group is going backwards they're now 1:15 behind Pogačar, and only 15 seconds ahead of the Van Aert/Healy chase group.
Here was Pogačar being set up for what looks like it might be a race-winning attack on the Monte Sane Marie.
Healy has gone clear with Andreas Kron out of the second chase group, and are about to join the Seixas group.
The main chase now has seven riders in it, but could yet be joined by the second chase group, which is only 20 seconds behind.
The second chase group has caught the first. So we now have a big grop of about 15 all together behind Pogačar.
Christen, Bilbao, Lapeira, Gianni Vermeersch, Simmons, Valgren and Clément Braz Afonso are the riders from the second chase group who have now joined the first chase group.
The riders in this newly-grown chase group are now attacking each other rather than join together to chase.
50KM TO GO
They definitely aren't going to catch Pogačar riding like this. Their deficit is up to 1:25.
GRAVEL - COLLE PINZUTO
Pogačar is now onto the net gravel section. This one is particularly special to him, as it’s been named in his honour following his exploits at previous editions of Strade Bianche.
Gianni Vermeersch leads the chase group on this section.
Seixas takes over and accelerates, but though the group is strung out, not much damage has been done.
Decathlon are the best represented team in the chase, with Lapeira and Labrosse present to help Seixas.
Pogačar’s lead is really in the ascendancy now. It’s grown to 1:50. Surely there's no bringing him back now.
Lapeira has attacked out of the chase group, as they approach La Tolfe.
Lapeira has Jan Christen on his wheel, and a gap ahead of the others.
Van Aert leads the rest of the chasers on La Tolfe, and has brought back Lapeira and Christen.
Pidcock attacks.
The crowds up this climb are making it very narrow on La Tolfe, and Healy was briefly held up by them.
Despite attacking, Pidcock was unable to go clear, and the chase group remains together.
Healy attacks as the chase group arrives onto Strade del Castagno.
Five of the chasers have a small gap over the others - Jorgenson, Del Toro, Seixas, Pidcock and Christen.
These five are committed, reflected by Pogačar's lead, which has come down a little to 1:35.
Both Del Toro and Christen will be passengers in this group, as teammates of Pog. The onus is on Jorgenson, Seixas and Pidcock to do all the work if they press on with this.
The gap's still decreasing, now down to 1:30. Could the unthinkable be happening, and Pogačar is getting tired?
Seixas and Jorgenson in the chase behind.
Still the gap decreases, now down to 1:20. This is getting interesting…
In the second chase group, Ben Healy has been dropped. He's paying for the many attacks he made earlier.
Remember, Pogačar’s lead was up to 1:50 at its highest. It’s come down significantly from that.
Gianni Vermeersch and Romain Grégoire have joined up to the first chase group. That could give them added firepower.
30KM TO GO
Still the gap comes down, albeit gradually. It's now at 1:20 between Pogačar and the chasers.
Pogačar earlier, riding Le Tolfe.
The gap between Pogačar and the chasers has steadied again, and is holding at 1:20.
Pogačar appears to be back in the grove now. His lead's growing again, up to 1:40.
Grégoire is leading the chase group on the gravel. They're still cohesive, and working together, but aren't making inroads anymore.
Pogačar is grimacing a little, but that's more a sign of the effort he's putting in rather than a struggle. He is well in control of this race, with his lead remaining at 1:40.
He's digging deep on the uphill, swinging from side to side on the road.
Paul Seixas takes over at the front of the chase group on the gravel climb.
Seixas has gone clear, and he's taken Del Toro with him again.
Seixas is pleading with Del Toro to take a turn, but with his teammate up the road, Del Toro is refusing.
Will there come a point where UAE are confident enough of Pog's lead, and allow Del Toro to work with Seixas?
Pidcock is leading the chase behind, with Christen, Jorgenson, G. Vermeersch and Gregoire on his wheel.
Del Toro has come through to take a turn for the first time, but isn't pushing at all. He's still leaving it up to Seixas to do all the work.
Seixas's attack did take something out of Pogačar's lead, but he still leads by a healthy 1:20 as he enters the final 15km.
Pogačar's finished the section, his lead over the chasing duo still at 1:15. He's nearly home and dry now.
Seixas is accelerating on the gravel, but Del Toro is glued to his wheel.
Seixas and Del Toro come off the gravel together, 20 seconds ahead of the chasers.
Christen has attacked out of the rest of the chasers and is trying to chase up to Del Toro and Seixas. UAE could be for a clean sweep of the podium at this rate.
Christen has rejoined the chase group behind him.
So as things stand, Del Toro and Seixas will complete the podium, but their place there remains far from secure with the chase group just 15 seconds behind them.
The chase group can see De Toro and Seixas up the road. This could be a big fight for the podium.
Still its Seixas doing all the work. This has been a serious display of strength from the young Frenchman, but Del Toro is surely going to be very fresh having sat on for so long.
Just 5km to go for Pogačar, his lead 1:25. He’s nearing the iconic finishing square in Siena, one of the most beautiful in all of cycling.
Seixas is still looking so strong. He's growing his lead over the chasers, back up to 25 seconds, despite receiving no help from a resolute Del Toro.
2km to go for Pogačar. Soon he'll be greeted by the roar of the fans waiting for him at Via Santa Caterina.
1KM TO GO
Pogačar rides under the flamme rouge, one again with a massive lead over the helpless opposition.
He's not holding back, attacking up the finishing climb for as big a win as he can manage.
Now he slows down as he approaches the finish smiling, taking in the cheering crowd.
Behind, Paul Seixas has dropped Del Toro!
Seixas is going to take second-place, despite doing all the work for so long.
Seixas takes second, Del Toro a few seconds behind in third.
Romain Grégoire has attacked the chase group, looking good for fourth.
Grégoire takes fourth, Gianni Vermeersch fifth, Jan Christen sixth.
Pidcock is seventh, Jorgenson eighth, both distanced on the final climb. Kron leads the next group for ninth with Van Aert behind in tenth.
So that's a record-breaking four Strade Bianche titles for Tadej Pogačar, in addition to his record-equalling four Il Lombardias, three Liege-Bastogne-Lieges, and two Tour of Flanders, to name just a few. Will this man ever stop winning?
If / when Pogačar does, you imagine Paul Seixas might be the man to inherit his crown. Second-place today was a super effort from the teenager, perhaps the best of his career so far. It’s certainly his best result in a race at this level, and were it not for Pogačar peerlessness, we’d be celebrating a career-making victory from the Frenchman.
Kudos to Isaac del Toro, too. He might have been itching to ride for himself, but did the dutiful domestique role, covering wheels and not risking bringing Pogačar’s gap down. For his efforts, he was still rewarded with a place on the podium, in third-place - his highest finish to date at a World Tour classic.
Pogačar might have been untouchable once again, but the age of the riders immediately behind indicate that a new generation is coming through - Paul Seixas in 2nd is 19, Del Toro in 3rd is 22, and Grégoire in 4th is 23.
Pogačar riding up Via Santa Caterina.
Thanks for joining us today, for another example of unparalleled brilliance by Tadej Pogačar - plus some encouraging signs that a younger generation are at least getting closer to being able to challenge him some day.
Pogačar’s next appointment isn't for two weeks at Milan-Sanremo, a race he finds much harder to win than this point. But our next appointment is tomorrow, when we’ll bring you the first stage of Paris-Nice, which is always one of the best stage races of the season. Be sure to tune in again!
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
