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Monument or not, Strade Bianche is one of the races of the year. Those white gravel roads, those rolling Tuscan hills, that legendary climb back into Siena before the finish in the Piazzo del Campo – it's undoubtedly one of the toughest and most beautiful races on the calendar.
The 2024 edition, held this past Saturday, saw a couple of notable route changes. The women's race attracted a couple more gravel sectors; the men's race was more than 30 km longer than in previous editions. But ultimately, the day delivered some familiar and not-unexpected results.
In the women's race, world champion Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) was imperious in rainbows, winning with apparent ease for the second time in three years. And in the men's race, well, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) was just out doing Tadej things – attacking from 81 km out, solo, and winning by almost three minutes. As you do.
Results aside, there was plenty to enjoy from a great day's racing. Join us as we luxuriate in all the details from the men's and women's Strade Bianche, courtesy of a big ol' gallery of photos from Kristof Ramon and the Grubers, Ashley and Jered.
New Aussie champ Ruby Roseman-Gannon gets ready for a day out in Tuscany.On a day full of climbs and gravel sectors, there's plenty of info to put on the stem sticker.'Goooooo team!'Kasia Niewiadoma (far left) came in as Canyon-SRAM's leader, having finished in the top 10 in all eight editions she previously finished.Demi Vollering (far left) won last year, in a controversial sprint against teammate Kopecky (third from left).The women's peloton rolls out of Siena and into the countryside beyond.One of the quintessential Strade Bianche shots.Strade Bianche is one of the few big races Marianne Vos hasn't won. She would end up ninth on Saturday.Riejanne Markus (right) was in a three-rider move that kicked off the finale.Lizzie Deignan won the second edition back in 2016 and looked strong again on Saturday.There was a bunch of rain in the lead-up, making some of the gravel roads a little muddy.An elite leading group formed in the final hour of the race, with all the big favourites there. Kopecky and Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) would get clear with around 10 km to go ...... with Kopecky getting clear on the final climb into Siena and winning with apparent ease.Second on the day for Longo Borghini who, despite being convincingly beaten by Kopecky, rode a perfect race.Kopecky waits for her teammate Vollering to arrive ...... with the pair embracing when the Dutchwoman crossed the line in third. The vibe between the two was slightly different to this time last year.Sixth for Kristen Faulkner after a strong ride to bridge to the chase group late.Good signs again for Vos who was able to get into the winning move, until being dropped late.Fourth place for Niewiadoma who was beaten in the sprint for third by Vollering. Niewiadoma's teammate, Elise Chabbey, also finished in the top 10, in eighth.First and third for SD Worx-Protime, with Longo Borghini flying the flag for Lidl-Trek (and home nation Italy) in second.
By the time the women's race finished back in Siena, the men's race was underway. Here's how Kristof and the Grubers saw the men's race.
Lawson Craddock leads one of several early breakaways.There's that shot again.With the recent rain, the typically white roads were looking a little more brown.Pogačar received some attention for an early mechanical but it certainly didn't stop him from tearing the race apart later.With around 90 km to race, and the early moves caught, UAE Team Emirates were seen massing at the front, setting things up for Pogačar.Pogačar had said pre-race he'd attack with around 80 km to go, on the Monte Sante Marie gravel sector, and that's exactly what he did.?Two-time winner Michał Kwiatkowski crashed at one point ...... as did almost the entirety of the Bora-Hansgrohe team.Also caught up was Salvatore Puccio who, like his teammate Kwiatkowski, didn't finish the race.After plenty of rain in the lead-up, the riders were hit by a brief but intense rainstorm mid-race.Back now to the Pogačar Show.After setting sail with 81 km still to race, Pogacar had a gap of more than three minutes with 44 km remaining.I think you're good, Tadej.Rising star Maxim Van Gils was on the move late and would end up in third place.Friend of Escape, Toms Skujiņš, rode a fantastic race and ultimately ended up best of the rest in second place.WorldTour one-day race, or Tadej Pogačar training ride?Pogačar had plenty of support out on the roads, as you'd expect.Pogačar on the final climb to the finish, with no rival within nearly three minutes.There was plenty of time to smile at the photographers ...... before celebrating his second Strade Bianche win, two years after winning with a measly 50 km solo attack.Baller.Van Gils (right) and Skujiņš duke it out into Siena ...... with the Latvian getting clear on the steep slopes of the final climb.Second place is Skujiņš' best result in a WorldTour one-day race.Defending champ Tom Pidcock came in fourth, 3:50 behind Pogačar.One race in 2024, one demonstrative win for Tadej Pogačar. Up next for him: Milan-San Remo on March 16.
