Kwiatkowski, Sagan, Van Avermaet, Štybar and Van Aert among the challengers for victory through the Crete Senesi. The women’s race, which started at 09:12, also attracted the world’s best including Longo Borghini, Van Der Breggen, Niewiadoma and Ferrand Prevot. Today’s winners press conferences will be held at the end of each race.

Siena, 3 March 2018 – The men’s edition of the ‚Northern Classic in the South of Europe‘, now in its 12th edition, organised by RCS Sport/La Gazzetta dello Sport and part of the UCI WorldTour calendar, started today from Siena at 10:43 with 146 riders. Did not start: dossard number 167, Maarten Wynants (Team Lotto NL – Jumbo).

In the men’s Strade Bianche NamedSport eyes will be focused on many champions such as last year’s winner Michał Kwiatkowski and Gianni Moscon (Team Sky); Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale); Moreno Moser (Astana Pro Team); Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain – Merida); Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing Team); Peter Sagan (Bora – Hansgrohe); Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team); Philippe Gilbert and Zdenek Štybar (Quick-Step Floors); Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Dimension Data); Sep Vanmarcke (Team EF Education First – Drapac P/B Cannondale); Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb); Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) and Wout Van Aert (Verandas Willems – Crelan).

The women’s race, Strade Bianche Women Elite NamedSport and the UCI Women’s WorldTour opening race, started this morning at 09:12 with 137 riders. Did not start: dossard number 92, Marta Tagliaferro (Cylance Pro Cycling).

Among the women who will challenge for victory the favourites are last year’s winner Elisa Longo Borghini (Wiggle High5); Sofia Beggin and Sofia Bertizzolo (Astana Women’s Team); Anna Van Der Breggen (Boels Dolmans Cycling Team); Pauline Ferrand Prevot; Elena Cecchini and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon // SRAM Racing), and Lucinda Brand and Ellen Van Dijk (Team Sunweb).

WEATHER
Siena (09.15 – Women Elite Start): light rain 4°C. Wind: weak – 8kmh.
Siena (10.45 – Men Start): rain 6°C. Wind: moderate – 13kmh.
Siena (13.15 – Women Elite Finish): rain 8°C. Wind: moderate – 13kmh.
Siena (15.30 – Men Finish): rain 10°C. Wind: moderate – 10kmh.

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Photo Gallery – Start
Start list – Strade Bianche NamedSport
Race Programme – Strade Bianche NamedSport
Start list – Strade Bianche Women Elite NamedSport
Race Programme – Strade Bianche Women Elite NamedSport
12th STRADE BIANCHE NAMEDSPORT – 184km, 11 sectors and 63km on gravel roads (34.2% of the course)

It’s a twisty and undulating course, with no long climbs but punchy hills, most significantly on the unpaved parts. There are roughly 63km of gravel roads, across 11 sectors (eight of those shared with the Women Elite course).

Starting from Siena (Stadium/Medicean Fortress area), the initial undulating kilometres are on Tarmac before reaching the 2.1km-long gravel Sector 1 at km 18, which is perfectly straight and slightly downhill.

After few kilometres the riders then face Sector 2 (5.8km), the course’s first real challenge with a short descent followed by a long climb with sections of over 10% gradient.

The course then goes through Radi, where gravel Sector 3 starts (4.4km; the second part of the race’s first edition gravel Sector 1) shortly followed by Sector 4 – named “La Piana” – and one of the race’s classic gravel sectors (5.5km in length and featured in the course since the first edition) with no significant gradient leading to Buonconvento.

After few kilometres the second climb of the day starts: the Montalcino (4km at 5%). Following Torrenieri the riders face Sectors 5 (11.9km) and 6 (8km) with only 1km of tarmac in between. Both are hard, hilly, very punchy and with many bends, climbs and descents.

After the second passage through Buonconvento the feed station will be positioned in the area of Ponte d’Arbia. Soon the route reaches Monteroni d’Arbia, which marks the beginning of Sector 7 of San Martino in Grania (9.5km) in the middle of the Crete Senesi. It’s a long sector with continuous up and downs in the first part, ending up with a twisting climb before meeting the Tarmac again.

In Ponte del Garbo (Asciano) gravel Sector 8 begins. At 11.5km it’s the hardest of the race, mostly uphill and characterised by tough hills, the most important being those close to Monte Sante Marie, with steep gradients on both climbs and descents over short distances. After Castelnuovo Berardenga there’s a very short, flat section of gravel (300m) before facing, after Monteaperti, Sector 9 – only 800m long, but with a double digit gradient ramp before rejoining the tarmac in Vico d’Arbia and paved road through Pieve a Bozzone.

Next comes the penultimate section of gravel (Sector 10, 2.4km) on the climb toward Colle Pinzuto (with gradients up to 15%). After a few kilometres the riders then face the last gravel section (Sector 11, 1.1km) which features a sequence of a demanding descents followed by a very punchy climb (max. 18%) that ends up at the Tolfe. From here only 12km separate the riders from the finish in Piazza del Campo, Siena.

Final Kilometres
The demanding final kilometres, with gradients up to 16%, approach the city of Siena along broad, straight sections of road, connected by sweeping curves, first descents and slight climbs. 2km from the finish line, the route joins Via Esterna di Fontebranda; here the gradient touches 9%.
900m from the finish line, the race route passes beneath Fontebranda Gate where the road surface becomes paving slabs. The gradient then exceeds 10% until 500m from the finish line, reaching its highpoint of 16% along Via Santa Caterina. A sharp right hand turn leads to Via delle Terme, and then Via Banchi di Sotto. With 300m to go, the road continues to climb slightly then, 150m from the line, a right turn leads into Via Rinaldini. The route enters the Piazza del Campo just 70m from the finish line. The final 30m descends at a gradient of 7% and the finish line itself is flat.

STATS

A race for northern athletes – all the Strade Bianche winners were born north of Tuscany, the Italian Region where the race is held
No consecutive victories – in the previous 11 editions no one was able two win two years in a row. The same country hasn’t won two years in a row too
30 – Fabian Cancellara is the only rider who was able to win Strade Bianche after his 30th birthday, in 2012 and 2016
4th STRADE BIANCHE WOMEN ELITE NAMEDSPORT – 136km, 8 sectors and 31.4km on gravel roads (23.1% of the course)

A twisty and undulating course, with no long climbs but with punchy hills – most significantly on the unpaved parts. There are roughly more than 30km of gravel roads across eight sectors (all shared with the Men’s course).

Starting from Siena (Stadium/Medicean Fortress area), the initial undulating kilometres are on Tarmac before reaching the 2.1km-long gravel Sector 1 at km 18, which is perfectly straight and slightly downhill.

After few kilometres the riders then face Sector 2 (5.8km), the course’s first real challenge with a short descent followed by a long climb with sections of over 10% gradient.

The course then goes through Radi, where gravel Sector 3 starts (4.4km; the second part of the race’s first edition gravel Sector 1) shortly followed by Sector 4 – named “La Piana” – and one of the race’s classic gravel sectors (5.5km in length and featured in the course since the first edition) with no significant gradient leading to Buonconvento.

After the passage through Buonconvento the feed station will be positioned in the area of Ponte d’Arbia. Soon the route reaches Monteroni d’Arbia, which marks the beginning of Sector 5 of San Martino in Grania (9.5km) in the middle of the Crete Senesi. It’s a long sector with continuous up and downs in the first part, ending up with a twisting climb before meeting the Tarmac again.

After Castelnuovo Berardenga there’s a very short, flat section of gravel (300m) before riders face, after Monteaperti, Sector 6 – only 800m long but with a double digit gradient ramp before rejoining the Tarmac in Vico d’Arbia and going to paved road through Pieve a Bozzone.

Next comes the penultimate gravel section (Sector 7, 2.4km) on the climb toward Colle Pinzuto (with inclines of up to 15%). After a further few kilometres the riders will face the last section of gravel (Sector 8, 1.1km) which features a sequence of a demanding descents followed by a very punchy climb (max 18%) that ends up at the Tolfe. From here only 12km separate the riders from the finish in Piazza del Campo, Siena.

Final kilometres are the same as the men’s course.

A race for northern athletes – all the Strade Bianche winners were born north of Tuscany, the Italian Region where the race is held
No consecutive victories – in the previous 11 editions no one was able two win two years in a row. The same country hasn’t won two years in a row too
30 – Fabian Cancellara is the only rider who was able to win Strade Bianche after his 30th birthday, in 2012 and 2016
4th STRADE BIANCHE WOMEN ELITE NAMEDSPORT – 136km, 8 sectors and 31.4km on gravel roads (23.1% of the course)

A twisty and undulating course, with no long climbs but with punchy hills – most significantly on the unpaved parts. There are roughly more than 30km of gravel roads across eight sectors (all shared with the Men’s course).

Starting from Siena (Stadium/Medicean Fortress area), the initial undulating kilometres are on Tarmac before reaching the 2.1km-long gravel Sector 1 at km 18, which is perfectly straight and slightly downhill.

After few kilometres the riders then face Sector 2 (5.8km), the course’s first real challenge with a short descent followed by a long climb with sections of over 10% gradient.

The course then goes through Radi, where gravel Sector 3 starts (4.4km; the second part of the race’s first edition gravel Sector 1) shortly followed by Sector 4 – named “La Piana” – and one of the race’s classic gravel sectors (5.5km in length and featured in the course since the first edition) with no significant gradient leading to Buonconvento.

After the passage through Buonconvento the feed station will be positioned in the area of Ponte d’Arbia. Soon the route reaches Monteroni d’Arbia, which marks the beginning of Sector 5 of San Martino in Grania (9.5km) in the middle of the Crete Senesi. It’s a long sector with continuous up and downs in the first part, ending up with a twisting climb before meeting the Tarmac again.

After Castelnuovo Berardenga there’s a very short, flat section of gravel (300m) before riders face, after Monteaperti, Sector 6 – only 800m long but with a double digit gradient ramp before rejoining the Tarmac in Vico d’Arbia and going to paved road through Pieve a Bozzone.

Next comes the penultimate gravel section (Sector 7, 2.4km) on the climb toward Colle Pinzuto (with inclines of up to 15%). After a further few kilometres the riders will face the last section of gravel (Sector 8, 1.1km) which features a sequence of a demanding descents followed by a very punchy climb (max 18%) that ends up at the Tolfe. From here only 12km separate the riders from the finish in Piazza del Campo, Siena.

Final kilometres are the same as the men’s course.

STATS

Elisa Longo Borghini – the best Italian in each of the three previous editions of the race (3rd in 2015, 4th in 2016, winner in 2017)
Lizzie Deignan – always on the podium (2nd in 2015, winner in 2016 and 3rd in 2017)
Katarzyna Niewiadoma – 2nd in the last two editions, 2016 and 2017

STATS

Elisa Longo Borghini – the best Italian in each of the three previous editions of the race (3rd in 2015, 4th in 2016, winner in 2017)
Lizzie Deignan – always on the podium (2nd in 2015, winner in 2016 and 3rd in 2017)
Katarzyna Niewiadoma – 2nd in the last two editions, 2016 and 2017

POINTS OF INTEREST
SIENA
It would have been too difficult to decide between Piazza del Campo and Torre del Mangia, between the cathedral and the other buildings of the same complex, such as the baptistery, the crypt and the grand façade (known as “Facciatone”). So the entire old town centre was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its outstanding artistic value. Siena is a true jewel of art, both sacred and profane at the same time, ever bustling with life and with more than a million visitors each year. It hosts major sporting and cultural events, such as the legendary Palio, staged twice a year, in which the 17 city quarters (“contrade”) challenge each other in front of large crowds coming from all over the country to attend the town’s most famous and iconic event.

The Strade Bianche is a legendary race that perfectly fits into a historical context that serves as an excellent setting for both the race start and finish. While waiting for riders to fly by, spectators can explore the city’s monuments and enjoy the many local delicacies, including wild boar sauces and specialties, ribollita, panforte (Siena’s iconic dessert), as well as world-renowned, refined wines, such as Chianti. Ricciarelli, traditional pastries made from almonds, sugar and egg whites, are the perfect snack while waiting for the finish.

Siena was founded by the Etruscans, it grew under the Romans, and was ruled by the Ghibellines and later the House of Medici. Nowadays, Siena belongs first and foremost to all those lucky ones who have visited or will be visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site. A must-see: Torre del Mangia. A must-taste: Ricciarelli. The best time to be in town: 4-5 March; or 2 July and 16 August – Palio di Siena.

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