As it happened: Tadej Pogacar stuns the field with 81km solo attack

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the 2024 men's Strade Bianche

Just half an hour to go before the men set off for what many now consider to be the first major classic — and possibly even monument — of the season - Strade Bianche! Whether or not it deserves that particularly weighty level has been debated with increasing intensity in the past few years, but in any case, it’s undoubtedly one of the spectacles of the season.

While we wait for the men, the women are already off and racing - you can follow all the action of that race here.

The route of this year’s Strade Bianche will be the longest yet, exceeding 200km for the first time in the race’s 17-year history. An extra loop near Siena means that 15 sectors of the race’s emblematic gravel roads will be tackled, up from 11 last year. We’ll find out today whether that adds to the spectacle, or upsets the balance of the race by making it too demanding.

This being one of the biggest prizes of the season, the start list is packed with talent. But one name stands above all the others - Tadej Pogačar. It seems like an age since we last saw the great man race, and was indeed almost five months ago, at Il Lombardia last autumn - which, inevitably he won. He also won the last time he competed at Strade Bianche in 2022, and, in the absence of Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel, is the hot favourite to do so again today.

Just five minutes until the neutralised start, and the excitement is palpable. 

As well as Pogačar, defending champion Tom Pidcock is also among the favourites, while others to watch include in-form young talent Lennert Van Eetvelt, Ben Healy, and Sepp Kuss, who is testing himself on the unfamiliar gravel roads. For a more detailed look at each one’s chances, have a read of our preview analysing the contenders.

The riders have rolled out of the unofficial start and into the neutralised zone. We await the official start with bated breath!

215KM TO GO

And they're off!

As for that all-important weather forecast - you can see from this image of the women’s race that, though dry at the moment, there are some menacing-looking clouds in the sky. Should the heaven’s open, the gravel roads will become mud baths, and alter the whole nature of the race. But the forecasts are predicting the rain to stay away this afternoon.

205KM TO GO

Attacks have been made, and a group of seven currently have a small gap ahead of the peloton.

Among those seven riders is Toms Skujiņš. Given the form he showed a week over during Opening Weekend, surely he won’t be allowed up the road.

The 6 riders with Skujiņš are: Cristián Rodríguez (Arkéa - B&B Hotels), Oscar Riesebeek (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Felix Engelhardt (Jayco-AlUla), Logan Currie (Lotto Dstny), Anders Halland Johannessen (Uno-X) and Francisco Muñoz (Polti Kometa).

200KM TO GO

That lead group had made it to the first of the day’s 15 gravel sectors, the Vidritta, but did not survive it, and has been brought back. We await the next moves.

Time now for sector 2, Bagnaia. It’s harder than the last one, and has been designated 3 out of 5 stars in terms of difficulty. This could be where a breakaway goes clear.

The Bagnaia has been completed, and the peloton remains together.

Sergio Samitier leading the peloton on the previous gravel sector. As you see, the roads are dry and dusty, with no rain to cause any mud.

180KM TO GO

They're on the third gravel sector now, the 2-star Radi.

A new trio now forming a new lead group, and it's a strong one: Lawson Craddock (Jayco-AlUla), Mark Donovan (Q36.5) and Anders Halland Johannessen (Uno-X), who was on the attack earlier.

They've been joined by Dion Smith (Intermarché - Wanty), and have a lead of about 20 seconds.  

170KM TO GO

The quartet's lead is now up to over 30 seconds. This could be the break of the day.

Time now for the fourth gravel test - La Piana, which has been rated 2 stars, and lasts 64km.

The leading quarter has become a leading quintet, as counter-attacker Nils Brun (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) has successfully bridged the gap. They have a lead of over a minute.

160KM TO GO

The success of this break has stabilised the race situation. UAE Team Emirates are leading the peloton for Pogačar, and are happy to let them have a lead, which is now up to 1-30. The next gravel sector isn’t for another 22km.

It might be quiet here in the men’s race for now, but it’s all kicking off in the women’s race. Remember you can follow that race with us too.

150KM TO GO

The riders are currently climbing a tarmacked hill. The gap between the five leaders and the peloton is still growing, and is now up to 2-30.

A glimpse of why this Tuscan race is one of the most beautiful in cycling.

The weather is still showing some ominous signs, that could make this a very different race. There have been a few drops of rain further up the road in the women’s race.

140KM TO GO

We’re just a couple of kilometres away from sector five, Lucignano d'Asso. This one’s an especially important one, as, at 11.9km, it’s the longest of the whole day, and is immediately followed by the first 4-star sector of the day, Pieve a Salti.

In anticipation of these sectors, the pace is up in the peloton. The break’s lead is down to only about 1-30.

They’re on the Lucignano d'Asso now.

Bad new for Nils Bruin, who has had a flat tyre and has dropped out of the front group. That leaves just 4 riders in the break.

130KM TO GO

The peloton are still on Lucignano d'Asso, and have reduced the deficit to the leaders a bit more, to about 1-15. Nils Brun is stuck between them in no-man’s land.

The Lucignano d'Asso has been completed, and now they’re on Pieve a Salti. This will be the sternest test the riders have faced so far today.

No more attacks yet out of the peloton, but the group has been whittled down. There are less than 50 rides left in it.

Brun's been caught by the peloton, unable to rejoin the leaders following his mechanical. An unfortunate end to the Swiss rider's day out in front, but an occupational hazard at Strade Bianche.

Lawson Craddock also required a bike change, but he’s made it back into the lead group.

120KM TO GO

They're approaching the end of Pieve a Salti, and the lead of the quartet out in front has come down to under a minute.

There’s some respite now for the riders in the form of a short flat section. After that we can really expect the life to come to life, when they arrive at San Martino in Grania, the first 5-star sector of the race.

San Martino in Grania may also spell the end of the break’s time out front. Their gap is now only about 30 seconds. Just 10km now until they’re back on the gravel.

110KM TO GO

Just 20 seconds now for the leaders. They might not even make it to the start of San Martino in Grania.

Meanwhile, the women's race has just come to an end, and it was an exciting one. You can read about what happened here

The lead group is down to just 3 now, as Craddock has dropped back into the peloton after having a flat tyre.

We’re at San Martino now. The leaders are still out there, but the pace back in the peloton is surely going to be formidable.

100KM TO GO

The leaders have been caught. Everything's back together as we race on the gravel.

UAE Team Emirates and Soudal-QuickStep are the teams setting the pace in the peloton. Despite their poor start to the season, the latter must fancy the chances of Julian Alaphilippe and/or Kasper Asgreen.

Here come the attacks! Quinn Simmons and Magnus Cort have launched themselves off the front of the peloton.

The race is starting to split apart now. There are little more than 20 riders left in the peloton, if we can still call it that. 

Simmons and Cort are still out in front, but only by a few seconds.

Simmons and Cort have now been brought back, however. UAE Team Emirates are setting the pace, leading a peloton with about 25 riders in it.

They've just finished San Martino in Grania, but it won't be long until the next gravel sector, and it's one of the most famous ones - Monte Sante Marie. Only about 8km away.

An interesting development: it's raining. Only gently for now but it'll make this a very different race if the gravel turns to mud.

90KM TO GO

The peloton has got a little bigger again since the end of the last gravel sector, with sragglers making their way back. There are over 30 riders in it again now.

Another attack from Simmons! The American champion is feeling restless today, in a race he has a very good history at.

It’s just been announced that Julian Alaphilippe has abandoned the race. Following a crash-blighted Opening Weekend, his disappointing start to the season continues.

The rain is really starting to fall now, just as we approach Monte Sante Marie. This could be carnage…

Simmons has a lead, but not a big one. It’s at 15 seconds. He really could have done with a group of riders going with him to share the workload.

They’ve arrived at Monte Sante Marie. This could be the sector that shapes the race, especially in their weather.

Before the race, Pogačar stated frankly that he plans to attack here. He might have just been teasing, but his rivals will still have to be very attentive.

Ineos had led the peloton in the run-in to the sector, but UAE have resumed controlled now they're on it.

Simmons has been caught, and UAE are really upping the pace.

Pogačar is already second wheel in the peloton, with only teammate Tim Wellens ahead of him.

81KM TO GO

Pogačar attacks!

He's got a gap of several seconds already.

Sepp Kuss was the rider on his wheel when he attacked, but couldn't follow on an uphill incline on the gravel.

Pogačar looks as strong as ever, but this is a long way from the finish to go all in, even for him.

Van Gils is leading the chase group behind, which has about 20 riders in it.

Pogačar's lead is up to almost 30 seconds already.

Van Gils has ridden away from the rest of the chasing group. Ben Healy is trying to bridge up to him.

Healy's been joined by 3 more riders - Laporte, and the UAE duo Wellens and Del Toro.

If Pogacar's teammates can cover all these moves, it's going to make it even more difficult for anyone to bring him back.

Pogačar’s on the next gravel sector now, Monteaperti. The sun’s come out, and it’s not so muddy.

Pogačar has 40 seconds on Van Gils,and already over a minute over the next group of chasers, which is getting bigger.

Remember when we marvelled at the audacity of Pogačar attacking 50km from the finish to win Strade Biannhce two years ago? It feels like he’s trying to outdo himself with this move.

Crash at the back of the chase group, Simmons and Skujiņš have gone down.Both are up, but it’ll take some effort to rejoin.

So it’s Pogačar in front, Maxim Van Gil 1-08 behind him, and a chase group 1-38 behind.

The full-make up of the chase group behind Van Gils:

Ben Healy, Christophe Laporte, Sepp Kuss, Krists Neilands, Matej Mohoric, Tom Pidcock, Magnus Sheffield, Lennard Kamna, Filippo Zana, Davide Formolo, Lennart van Eetvelt, Benoit Cosnefroy, Francesco Busatto, Tim Wellens and Isaac del Toro. Despite crashing, Toms Skujiņš has rejoined them.

70KM TO GO

1-36 now for Pogačar over Van Gils, and 2-05 back are the chasers. 

Van Gils is letting the larger chase group behind him bring him back. This is a big group, with plenty of fire power, and teammates who can work together. But can they do anything when up against the force of nature that is Tadej Pogačar?

Visma | Lease a Bike are the best represented team in the chase, with Kuss, Laporte and Attila Valter all there. Teams with 2 riders include Lotto-Dstny (Van Gils and Van Eetvelt), Ineos (Pidcock, Sheffield and Arensman), and UAE (Toro and Wellens).

Make that 4 Visma riders - Ben Tulett is also still there. 

The chase group has been growing in numbers, as riders from behind rejoin, but that isn't helping them bring Pogačar back. He's now 2-22 away.

This was Tim Wellens leading Pogačar, moments before he unleashed the attack that already looks like it's going to be the race-winning one. 

A bike change for Skujiņš, presumably due to his earlier crash. It was a quick change so you expect to rejoin the group.

60KM TO GO

The peloton has at least stopped the gap from growing. It's been hovering at around 2-20 for a little while now. They still have a long time to get back into the race. Who knows, maybe Pogačar will tire?

The group is still getting bigger rather than smaller, with riders joining from behind rather than being dropped. Valentin Madouas and Mauri Vansevenant are there now.

Attack from Cosnefroy in the chase group.

That's split the group up. They're on a descent, and riders are strung out in ones and twos.

A group of 6 are forming with Cosnefroy - Van Eetvelt, Neilands, Sheffield and Bardet are all there. But as is Pogačar's teammate Tim Wellens. 

Not that catching Pogačar would feel like a possibility even if Wellens wasn't there - the gap has grown again, up to over 2-30.

Four more riders have joined that chasing six, and 2 more (Madouas and Bussato) are on their way behind

There's now about a dozen riders in the main chase group behind Pogačar. Surprisingly, despite having the most numbers, Visma | Lease a Bike have missed the move completely. 

Here's Pogačar as he made his 81km attack.

They're on another gravel sector now, and Ben Healy is leading the chase. 

Bike change for Del Toro, which makes their situation a little weaker.

Incidentally, ever since that downpour just before the Monte Sante Marie section, the sun has come out and conditions dry.

50KM TO GO

2-37 now for Tadej Pogačar, as he begins the Colle Pinzuto section for the first time.

This is where the route changes from previous years. This time, they will do an extra loop to take in both this sector and the next one, Le Tolfe, twice. 

Maybe Tadej Pogačar  simply forgot, and didn’t realise he still had 80km to ride when he made his attack?

Healy is again laying the hammer down in the chase group. He still has about 15 riders with him in the chase group, though.

The make up of that group has changed, with some being dropped and others returning. 

Pidcock is one of the riders to have returned, and is on Healy's wheel as they ride the Colle Pinzuto.

Mohoric, Madouas and Neilands are hanging off the back of the chase group, struggling with that climb.

They're back now, though, as Healy sits up and nobody takes over the pace-setting.

This stop / start racing has seen Pogačar's lead get even bigger. It's now over 3 minutes!

Perhaps the most shocking thing about this Pogačar performance is just how unshocking it is. We’ve come to expect that Pogačar can simply do anything, however much it might go against the normal laws and logic of bike racing.

The chasers certainly aren't riding like they believe they can bring Pogačar back. They’re not working together, and keep putting little digs in against each other.

Pogačar, by contrast, is having a ball out there. He’s smiling at the camera, and soaking up the atmosphere and applause. All while extending his lead to 3-30.

Pogačar’s now riding on the gravel sector Le Tolfe, and the crowds are huge! The race will return here shortly before the finish, at which point Pogačar will surely still be in the same position - several minutes ahead of the rest of the race.

A crash in the chase group as they go around a corner. Healy's the man to go down, but at a very slow speed, and he seems fine.

The chasers are on Le Tolfe now, and Lotto have launched a double attack with Van Gils and Van Eetvelt. 

Van Gils is alone now, and has a big gap over the others already.

40KM TO GO

That move is also the first thing all day to make some inroads into Pogacar's lead. It was getting menacingly close to 4 minutes, but has instead reduced to under 3-30.

It’s going under the radar in this Pogačar masterclass, but Van Gils is on an absolute flyer today. He has over 30 seconds over the chasers following that attack, having done something similar earlier in the day.

Behind Van Gils, the chase group has about 12 riders in it.

Van Gils gets a corner wrong, and has to take his leg out to rebalence. He's OK though, and would only have lost a few seconds.

A few more riders are joining the chasing dozen, including Madouas and Bardet. Also in that group are most of the other big names: Healy, Pidcock, Laporte, Mohoric, Wellens.

Where will this ride rank in the history of the great rides of Pogačar’s career? When he attacked to win Strade Bianche two years ago it felt like an all-timer, but that was at a mere 50km from the finish. Even by his standards, this is something else - perhaps only his Tour winning long-range attack on the Col de Romme in 2021, or his triumph at last year’s Tour of Flanders against cobbled specialists Van der Poel and Van Aert, can rival this one.

Back in the chase group, Mohoric instigated another round of attacks and counter-attacks. They’re all back together for now.

Now Skujiņš goes, his earlier problems apparently behind him. 

Skujiņš has opened up a lead of a few seconds over the chase group, now about 15 riders big. He looks committed to try and make it stick, and catch up to Van Gils ahead of him. 

Healy's at it again, launcing another attack out of the chase group. He hasn't been able to go clear with any of his earlier efforts, but everyone will be getting very tired now.

25KM TO GO

So the race sitation with 25km to go is: Pogačar out fron on his own, Van Gils 3-30 behind, Skujiņš 30 seconds behind him, and the chase group 35 seconds behind him.

Tadej Pogačar has just finished the Montechiaro gravel sector, leaving him with just two more sectors left. At this race the final loop will be a victory lap for him.

20KM TO GO

To put Pogačar’s performance today into perspective - as it stands, the current record for the biggest winning margin at a men’ edition of Strade Bianche is 42 seconds, by Fabian Cancellara in 2012. Pogačar’s lead is currently 3-12.

That's not just down to Pogačar’s strength - the added difficulty of this year's race is clearly having an effect, as evidenced by the gaps between the chasers behind him.

Talking of which, Skujiņš has now joined Van Gils. The pair themselves have a very big lead of 1-30 lead over the rest of the chasers.

With the pace in that chase group reduced to a snail’s pace, Pidcock has taken the opportunity to attack.

Pidcock is committed. He has a gap of about 12 seconds.

Pidcock is on Colle Pinzuto, and behind him the chase group is breaking up.

Pogačar, and even Van Gils and Skujiņš, are well up the road, though, having already completed that section.

A group of 6 has formed behind Pidcock. Healy, Formolo, Mohoric, Cosnefroy, Martinez and Bardet seem to be the riders.

Actually it's Kamna rather than Bardet. 

Back at the front, Pogačar is on Le Tolfe, the last gravel sector of the race. He's 3-06 ahead of Van Gils and Skujiņš.

Huge noise roaring Pogačar as he makes his way up Le Tolfe. He's  not letting up the pace - he seems to want to win this by as big a margin as possible.

Behind, Van Gils and Skujiņš look very unlikely to be caught with 2-20 over Pidcock. But Pidcock's looking in a difficult situation, with the chasers just 20 seconds behind him.

Skujiņš is leading Van Gils on Le Tolfe. Van Gils doesn't look comfortable, but he's not being dropped.

10KM TO GO

Just 10km to go now for Pogačar. He could probably have five consecutive punctures and still win, such is his lead.

The only question left regarding the podium finishes is which of Skujiņš and Van Gils will finish second and which will finish third.

The riders are having to negotiate some wet roads as they descend towards the finish in Siena, residue from the earlier rainfall. 

A rare sight - Pogačar appears to be grimacing. He’s certainly not let up the pace, despite his huge advantage. This feels like a statement ride, ahead of what is a very ambitious season with the Giro/Tour double on the radar as well as other classics. 

Pidcock is now within sight of the chasing sextet of Cosnefroy, Mohoric, Formolo, Healy, Kamna and Martinez. 

Not long now until Pogačar starts climbing to the iconic finish at Piazza del Campo

Pogačar now allowing himself a celebratory fist pump to the camera as the TV moto rides up alongside him. You sense he’s going to enjoy soaking up the atmosphere at Piazza del Campo any minute now.

Meanwhile things are looking better for Pidcock, who's lead over the chasers is back up to 30 seconds. Fourth-place might be his. 

1KM TO GO

Here comes Pogačar onto the Via Santa Catarina climb!

He's not holding back - no waves to the crowd, although he is smiling broadly.

Now comes a wave, as he reaches the top of the climb.

Tadej Pogačar official wins the 2024 Strade Bianche!

Not that that has been in doubt for the last few hours - the only question is how big will his victory be.

He pulled out a celebration worthy of the ride, lifting his bike up in the air after crossing the finish line.

Now the race for 2nd, with Van Gils and Skujiņš on the final climb.

It looked like Skujiņš was going to lose the wheel, but now he's passed Van Gils.

Skujiņš rides away, and second-place is set to be his.

2nd place for Skujiņš, and 3rd place fo Van Gils.

These are probably career-best performances from both of these riders.

Now here comes Pidcock, about to seal 4th place.

Behind, Mohoric has dropped the others and is set to take 5th place.

6th for Cosnefroy, 7th for Fomolo, and a bit further behind it's 8th for Martinez

Rounding off the top 10 is Zana in 9th and Laporte in 10th.

So that's two Strade Bianche titles for Tadej Pogačar, to go along with his three Il Lombardias and one Liège–Bastogne–Liège. When it comes to the climber's classics, nobody can stop him.

His ultimate winning margin over Toms Skujiņš was 2-44, easily smashing Cancellara's former record.

Not only is 81km the furthest to date that’s he’s attacked from to win a major classic, that winning margin also dwarfs those of his other victories - even the 52 seconds he won last year’s Il Lombardia by.

Here’s Toms Skujiņš at the finish, giving some insight into what it feels like to spend 80 kilometres chasing, and ultimately finishing second to, Tadej Pogačar.

Next up for Tadej Pogačar is Milan-Sanremo, taking place this time next week. Unlike Strade Bianche, that’s a race he’s never won before, and one in which doesn’t have the terrain to launch the kind of long-range attacks he relishes so much. Up against Van der Poel, and a host of other top riders, it promises to be a thriller.

In the meantime, make sure to join us again tomorrow, for the opening stage of Paris-Nice. The races are coming thick and fast, and the 2024 season is well and truly underway - though it’s plausible we witness a ride better than Pogačar’s today all season.