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Sunday, March 8, 2026

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Current racing:

• March 8 - March 15: Paris-Nice

Upcoming racing:

• March 9 - 15: Tirreno-Adriatico
• March 18: Danilith Nokere Koerse
• March 18: Milano-Torino

Latest completed racing:

• March 7: Strade Bianche
• March 4: Trofeo Laigueglia
• March 3: Le Samyn Classic
• February 25 - March 1: Giro di Sardegna
• March 1: Faun Drome Classic
• March 1: Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne
• February 28: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
• February 28: Faun Ardèche Classic
• February 22: Tour des Alpes Maritimes

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Strade Bianche team reports

We posted the report from winner Tadej Pogacar's UAE Team Emirates-XRG with the results.

Here's the report from fourth-place Romain Grégoire's Team Groupama-FDJ United:

Romain Grégoire clearly belongs among the big names. This Saturday, he provided further proof during a 2026 edition of Strade Bianche that was as demanding as it was spectacular. Three years after finishing eighth on his race debut, the Frenchman made a strong impression on Tuscany’s gravel roads and quickly established himself among the strongest riders in the race. A status he confirmed in the streets of Siena, after 85 kilometres of fierce fighting, launching a sharp attack to secure a superb fourth place.

The peloton on the Luciano d'Asso gravel sector.

On the occasion of the race’s twentieth anniversary, the 2026 Strade Bianche featured another route change. Compared to the previous two years, ten kilometres were removed for a total distance closer to 200 km, notably with the removal of a long mid-race sector. The key points of the race, however, remained the same: the decisive Monte Sante Marie sector and the two final laps.

Anticipating a chaotic race, many riders initially tried to gain an early advantage. Tom Donnenwirth was among those fighting to join the breakaway during the first hour before six riders eventually managed to get clear, albeit with a very small gap as they were controlled by Tadej Pogačar’s team. “Everyone in the group was involved right from the start,” said Yvon Caër. “They were really committed, and physically they were also up to the task.”

The ingredients were therefore there to start the race in the best possible way. So when the peloton hit Monte Sante Marie with 85 kilometres to go, just behind the breakaway, Groupama-FDJ did not miss the moment. “Romain’s positioning was excellent at the key moment,” Yvon added. “Then he did what he knows how to do, and even a little better. I think he’s taken a real step forward physically.”

Placed among the first fifteen riders entering the sector, the young rider from Besançon gradually moved closer to the front as UAE Team Emirates-XRG began to split the race apart. After barely a kilometre, only around ten riders remained in the lead group, including Romain Grégoire, before Tadej Pogačar made his move and rode clear. On the steepest slopes, the 23-year-old Frenchman managed to follow Tom Pidcock and Matteo Jorgenson in a third group, which bridged across to the second one containing Paul Seixas and Isaac Del Toro shortly after the sector.

Then, on a long transition section towards the finishing lap, around ten riders managed to come back from behind, including… Clément Braz Afonso. “He just keeps moving forward step by step,” added Yvon. “He surprises us, but actually, he confirms his potential. Being at this level in his first Strade Bianche is great. Physically, he’s becoming a very, very strong rider.” In a group of around fifteen riders, more than a minute behind Pogačar, Groupama-FDJ therefore had two riders represented.

However, after the first ascent of Colle Pinzuto and the climb of Le Tolfe, following a crash and several accelerations, Romain Grégoire lost his teammate. A few minutes later, he himself was briefly caught out by a strong counterattack. “There was just a small scare,” Yvon explained. “He was close to missing it, but he managed to make the jump smartly.” The chasing group then broke apart, and seven riders clearly emerged to battle for the podium places.

On the second lap of the final, the decisive move came on Colle Pinzuto, where Seixas and Del Toro broke away. Just ten seconds behind at one point, Romain Grégoire and the rest of the chase continued to push until the climb of Le Tolfe finally settled the situation. “I reassured Romain by telling him that no one would come back from behind and that he needed to manage a bit, because I think he still had the idea of bridging to Seixas and Del Toro in the back of his mind,” Yvon added. The run back to Siena therefore became a fight for the top five, and on the final ramps of the day — on the legendary Via Santa Caterina — Romain Grégoire gave himself the chance to achieve that goal. With a trademark punchy attack, the Frenchman came over the climb in first position and managed to keep a few metres’ advantage before heading towards Piazza del Campo.

In the end: a fourth place of great value. “He’s really strong in this kind of battle, especially with a punchy finish,” said Yvon. “The goal was a top five. Considering the level of competition, we’re very satisfied and really happy. He rode a great race, but if he was there at the start of the decisive moves, it’s also thanks to his teammates.” “I really enjoyed today,” said the rider himself. “I rediscovered the race I had loved three years ago. My goal was a top five, and I achieved it, so it’s a great day. Of course I thought about the podium, but considering who was ahead, I think I did the best race I possibly could. I didn’t yet have many references in Classics like this, meaning a race this intense for more than 100 kilometres. Today I found myself at the front with riders like Jorgenson and Pidcock, fighting over the last 80 kilometres… I’m really happy with the level I showed. It’s really cool, but that’s also why I worked hard all winter. A top five at WorldTour level is great, and hopefully there’s more to come.”

With the best result of his career so far in a major Classic, the young man now turns his attention to another Italian monument: Milano–Sanremo.

Here's the Strade Bianche report from Wout van Aert's Team Visma | Lease a Bike:

Matteo Jorgenson and Wout van Aert finished in the top ten at Strade Bianche. The Team Visma | Lease a Bike duo finished well behind race winner Tadej Pogačar. In Siena, Jorgenson crossed the line in eighth place, while Van Aert sprinted to tenth.

The peloton set off from Siena for a 203-kilometer ride, including 64 kilometers of unpaved gravel sectors. After just over half an hour of racing, the early breakaway formed, featuring Tim Rex, who is riding his first season with Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s WorldTour squad. Rex was still part of the yellow-and-black team’s development squad last season. The 21-year-old Belgian and his eight fellow escapees were given little breathing room. Just under 80 kilometers from the finish, the group of nine was caught by the peloton, where UAE Team Emirates-XRG had set a high pace.

Rex enjoyed his first Strade Bianche: “It was a tough race, but I had fun,” he said. “At the foot of Monte Sante Marie, the peloton came flying past us. I tried to hold on for a moment, but that’s where I hit my limit. I was already very happy to get the chance to start this beautiful race. It was a great experience.”

A few kilometers later came the Monte Sante Marie sector, which had proven to be a key moment in previous editions. This year was no different: on the 11-kilometer gravel stretch with its steep climbs, Pogačar launched his attack. The world champion set off on a long solo effort. In the chasing group, Jorgenson was among the riders making a strong impression.

Jorgenson began the chase together with Tom Pidcock, Isaac Del Toro, Romain Grégoire, and Paul Seixas. Not much later, that group was joined by a chasing pack that also included Van Aert. For a long time, a large group pursued the world champion, but they never got any closer. Eventually, another selection was made. A group of seven, including Jorgenson, began battling for the podium places.

Meanwhile, Pogačar rode unchallenged to his third consecutive victory in Siena. Behind him, Seixas and Del Toro managed to attack from the chasing group. The Frenchman and the Mexican secured the remaining podium spots. After a grueling finale, Jorgenson eventually finished eighth. Teammate Van Aert fought his way to tenth place.

Matteo Jorgenson on the Monte Sainte Marie gravel sector. Sirotti photo

“I’m satisfied with eighth place,” Jorgenson said afterward. “At a crucial moment I had a flat tire, but fortunately Pietro (Mattio) was nearby to give me his bike. I’m extremely grateful to him for that. Shortly after, I was able to switch bikes, just before Monte Sante Marie. By that point I had already spent a lot of energy getting back, so I mainly tried to follow the high pace. After that, I decided to give everything and see where it would take me. Given the circumstances, I can live with this result.”

And here's Wout van Aert on a gravel sector.

“I can absolutely live with a top-ten finish,” Van Aert said. “I rode the race the way I had hoped. The decisive attack came on Monte Sante Marie, and that sector doesn’t lie. At that moment I felt I was just missing that little bit to follow the pace. It was a tough race, but it was certainly an encouraging performance given my difficult preparation. Now the goal is to ride a good Tirreno-Adriatico, after which I’ll turn my focus to Milan–San Remo.”

Mauri Vansevenant’s Team Soudal Quick-Step posted this Strade Bianche report:

Saturday saw Soudal Quick-Step in action at Strade Bianche, one of the season’s most eagerly awaited races, inspired by and derived from the amateur L’Eroica Gran Fondo nearly two decades ago. On the menu of this edition: 203 kilometers, 14 gravel roads, steep gradients, and the beautiful finale in Piazza del Campo – all ingredients of another memorable day for both riders and fans.

The outcome of this year’s Strade Bianche was determined shortly after the midway point, on Monte Sante Marie, arguably the hardest sector of the day. It was there that Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) accelerated and rode clear from a significantly reduced peloton with 80 kilometers left, ultimately securing victory in Siena.

Late in the race, a reduced peloton.

Behind the World Champion, there were all kinds of moves as some tried to go in pursuit of the Slovenian, while others hoped to join the first chasing group. Mauri Vansevenant put in an admirable effort to bridge across with around 60 kilometers to go, and did his best to stay there for as long as possible. Eventually, the Belgian had to let go of the group as further attacks emerged on the remaining gravel roads, but continued to give it his all and concluded in Piazza del Campo as Soudal Quick-Step’s top finisher, in 15th position.

And here's the Strade Bianche report from Team Picnic PostNL:

Strade Bianche Men
Following on from the Women’s race earlier in the day, Team Picnic PostNL’s Men’s program were also in action on Saturday at the Strade Bianche, taking on 203 kilometres starting and finishing in Siena. With the iconic sterrato sectors spread throughout the rolling Tuscan roads, it was set to be another demanding day of racing on the gravel. white As expected, the race became one of attrition, with riders gradually losing contact with the peloton as the kilometres ticked by. The pace ramped up further once the early breakaway was caught, stretching the field across the gravel sectors and climbs. Up front, Tadej Pogačar launched a remarkable solo attack with 78 kilometres to go, riding clear to take the victory in Siena. After battling through the tough conditions and relentless pace, it was Bjorn Koerdt who led Team Picnic PostNL across the line.

Elise Chabbey wins the Strade Bianche Donne

Strade Bianche Donne
Following the Opening Weekend, Team Picnic PostNL’s Women’s program were back in action on Saturday at the Strade Bianche Donne. Taking on the iconic sterrato sectors across the rolling Tuscan roads before the famous finish in Piazza del Campo, it was set to be another demanding day of racing on the gravel. The race split apart just past the halfway point when a strong group of 24 riders moved clear, with Josie Nelson representing the team at the front. The group held a small advantage over a chasing group that included teammate Eleonora Ciabocco. As the pace ramped up on the gravel climbs, Nelson was forced to let go of the lead group on the Colle Pinzuto with just under 50 kilometres remaining. After a hard-fought race across the white roads, it was Ciabocco who led the team across the line in Siena, finishing just outside the top 20, while victory on the day went to Elise Chabbey.

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