The Women's WorldTour began at Strade Bianche on Saturday, March 9 in Siena, Italy for what was both an opportunity to secure the first victory of the 23-event series and the early leader's jersey.
Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott) ended the 2018 season with a fractured knee cap but confirmed she is already back to her best with a solo victory at Strade Bianche. Annika Langvad (Boels Dolmans) was second and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) was third.
The women once again raced along the white gravel roads and over the sharp hills in Tuscany, and while it was breathtakingly scenic to watch, it was also one of the most unpredictable races of the season – a spectacle for both racers and fans.
The women started in Siena and contested 136km, which included 30km of gravel road, before finishing back in Siena at the Piazza del Campo.
There were eight sectors of gravel in varying lengths and difficulty: Vidritta (2.1km), Bagnaia (5.8km), Radi (4.4km), La Piana (5.5km), S.Martino in Grania (9.5km), Monteaperti (0.8km), Colle Pinzuto (2.4km) and Le Tolfe (1.1km).
