The 2026 edition of the Gran Fondo Strade Bianche Estra saw record participation, with more than 8,500 amateur cyclists taking part in the event on March 8, 2026.
The mass‑participation race, held in the Crete Senesi region of Italy, followed the professional races won by Tadej Pogacar and Elise Chabbey.
Organised by RCS Sports & Events, the amateur event featured an international field. While Italian riders made up 65% of the participants, there was significant representation from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom.
The race commenced at the Fortezza Medicea in Siena. The starting line-up included several former professional champions such as Paolo Bettini, Maurizio Fondriest, Moreno Moser and Vincenzo Nibali.
Executive figures from the event’s partner organisations were also in attendance, including Alessandro Fabbrini, Vice President of Estra; Vittorio Ratto, Vice Director General Retail, Private e Digital at Crédit Agricole Italia; Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sports & Events; and Matteo Mursia, Chief Revenue Officer at RCS Sports & Events.
RCS Sports & Events is an international sports and media company that manages a diverse portfolio of mass‑participation and elite sporting fixtures. According to the organiser, the Gran Fondo serves as an important bridge between professional cycling and the amateur community.
Luca Onofrio, Head of Mass Events at RCS Sports & Events, said “The Gran Fondo Strade Bianche Estra continues to grow year after year and once again confirmed its unique appeal. Seeing more than 8,500 riders from all over the world take on the iconic white roads of the Crete Senesi is something truly special.
“This event represents the perfect connection between the professional race and the passion of amateur cyclists, who have the chance to experience the same extraordinary atmosphere just hours after the champions. We are proud that Strade Bianche has become an international reference point not only for elite racing, but also for the international amateur cycling community.”
Alessandro Fabbrini, Vice President of Estra, added “At Estra, we believe that energy is not only what we produce and distribute every day, but also what is generated through participation and the sharing of a common goal. Events such as this show that sport and sustainability can go hand in hand, promoting a model of development that values what we have and projects it into the future.”
The men’s gran fondo race was won by Alberto Nardin. Martina Cavallo secured the victory in the women’s category.
The event’s technical partners included Sportful, which designed the official jerseys, and Continental, which served as the official tyre partner. Other sponsors included Tudor as the official timekeeper and Colnago as the official bike partner.
