The Strade Bianche race weekend, which will open the season of the Italian UCI World Tour and UCI Women’s World Tour races organised by RCS Sport on March 2, 2024, has some changes this year.
RCS Sport notes that ‘Europe’s most southern northern classic’ will be renewed by increasing the mileage and sectors of gravel roads. This is both in the women’s elite race (137km with 12 sectors, totalling 40km and in the men’s version (215 km with 15 sectors, totalling 71 km).
The course extensions are thanks to the addition of a final circuit to be repeated twice that will allow fans to see more of both races.
On Sunday, March 3, 2024, amateur cyclists will take to the streets and gravel, challenging themselves on the ‘Crete Senesi’ raced by the pros the day before. The Gran Fondo Strade Bianche Enel Green Power already has more than 7,000 registered participants.
Paolo Bellino, CEO and Managing Director at RCS Sport, said “We confirmed the programme of a weekend that has become a traditional event despite the recent history. This is a winning format, as demonstrated by the ever-growing numbers generated.
“Every year, Siena and its territories are flooded with fans from all over the world, who are fascinated by the images of these places that are widely broadcasted. Saturday’s races see the big stars of women’s and men’s cycling at the start, with start lists that are just as good as the ones of the Monument Classics.
“On Sunday, more than 7,000 amateurs will take part in a competition that has already become an unmissable event.”
Mauro Vegni, Cycling Area Director at RCS Sport, added “This year we wanted to make some changes to the route, and so we created this double circuit, which will increase the difficulty and mileage of both races, as well as give the fans at the roadside the chance to enjoy the show multiple times.
“As a result of this decision, for the first time the men’s race will be longer than 200km. We will see how the race will develop. Every year, this event gives us strong emotions and great cycling moments such as in 2023 the photo-finish victory of the women’s race by Demi Vollering, or the winning attack by Thomas Pidcock in the men’s race.”
