Get ready for a cycling spectacle like no other – this year’s Strade Bianche is shaping up to be an unforgettable showdown of legends, rising stars, and raw emotion. But here’s where it gets controversial: can anyone truly dethrone the greats, or will the race once again belong to the unstoppable few? The 2026 season is barely six weeks old, yet the Classics have already ignited with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. But it’s Saturday’s Strade Bianche that truly marks the pinnacle of the season’s start, kicking off two weeks of Italian grande ciclismo that will leave fans breathless.
Strade Bianche has become my personal favorite race in recent years, and not just because it’s my ‘home’ Classic. This race encapsulates everything magical about cycling – the grit, the glory, and the sheer unpredictability. I’ve covered every edition, from the sweltering 35°C heat of the rescheduled 2020 Covid-19 race to the chilly, rain-soaked early spring editions. I’ve witnessed Fabian Cancellara dominate the Tuscan sterrati, and I’ve come to understand why this demanding course now eludes most Classics riders. And this is the part most people miss: Strade Bianche isn’t just a race; it’s a brutal fusion of Liège-Bastogne-Liège’s climbs and Paris-Roubaix’s gravel chaos. That’s why champions like Tadej Pogačar, Demi Vollering, and Tom Pidcock thrive here – and why Mathieu van der Poel has opted to sit this one out.
This year, all eyes are on Pogačar and Vollering, but Strade Bianche is notorious for its surprises. Here’s what I’m eagerly anticipating on Saturday:
The Return of the Titans
The biggest stars are back with a bang. Tour de France winners Tadej Pogačar and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot are making their season debuts, going head-to-head with riders who’ve already tasted victory in 2026. Pogačar, with his late start, is eyeing an intense Classics calendar, including Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix. But can he reclaim his Strade Bianche crown for a fourth time in five years? Even Polymarket, the platform predicting global events, can’t decipher his true form. Ferrand-Prévot, fresh from altitude training at Mount Teide, is poised to challenge Vollering, who’s in peak form. If anyone can outclimb and outmaneuver her on the dirt, it’s Ferrand-Prévot.
The Next Mega Talent vs. The Unstoppable Force
Tadej Pogačar often seems invincible, but 19-year-old Paul Seixas is proving to be a generational talent. His victory at the Faun-Ardèche Classic, where he effortlessly distanced Matteo Jorgenson, was pure Pogačar-esque brilliance. Seixas has improved dramatically since his WorldTour debut, shaving seconds off his climbs and descents. With more race days on the Eroica roads than Pogačar, and a cyclo-cross background, he’s a wildcard who could challenge the champion on every terrain. Could this be the year a new star eclipses the king?
An Icon’s Quest for History
Demi Vollering is a force to behold, whether she’s dominating or showing her humanity in defeat. After her Omloop Het Nieuwsblad victory, she’s gunning for a third Strade Bianche win, a feat that would match legends like Cancellara and Pogačar. A win here would cement her place in history as the first woman to achieve this milestone. But can she surge away on the Via Santa Caterina climb once more?
An Emotional Homecoming
Wout van Aert’s love-hate relationship with Strade Bianche is legendary. From his disappointing debut in 2018 to his triumphant win in 2020, Siena holds a special place in his heart. Though illness may hinder his performance this year, his emotional connection to this race is undeniable. Is this the year he reignites his love affair with the sterrati?
Strade Bianche isn’t just a race – it’s a celebration of cycling’s grit, beauty, and unpredictability. With its 20th men’s edition and 11th women’s edition, it’s earned its place as the sport’s unofficial sixth Monument. So, who will conquer the Tolfe sector, packed with screaming tifosi, and etch their name into cycling history? What do you think – will Pogačar reign supreme, or is this Seixas’s moment to shine? Let’s debate in the comments!
