Next to the most iconic white walls of Milan, the most iconic Strade Bianche of cycling have just been launched for 2026. Physically hosted by Rinascente Food & Restaurant next to the Duomo, in the name of a shared love for beauty, and metaphorically by the Municipality and institutions of Siena, the presentation highlighted what will be an authentic Siena Sport Experience, which will include a series of events that will unite sport and culture from late February, until the weekend of March 7-8 with Gran Fondo Strade Bianche and the two professional races, men's and women's. Professional races for men and women are scheduled for Saturday 7th, amateur race on Sunday 8th. During those days (Thursday 5 may be the day) the stone dedicated to three-time winner Tadej Pogacar, to whom the Colle Pinzuto will be named, will also be unveiled.

Giusy Virelli, Sport & Event Manager of RCS Sport: "In 2026 we're running the twentieth Strade Bianche, which in just a few years has managed to glue fans together and be considered a sixth monument. The partnership with the city of Siena is the 'boost' that allowed us to grow the event and build a long weekend of initiatives of all kinds. The Sienese territory and the great champions who tackle the course create a perfect combination to intercept sports enthusiasts and beyond. The routes will be very similar to each other and similar to the past two years, with double passages of Colle Pinzuto and Le Tolfe. For 2026 we tried to set up a challenging and spectacular course, but without excess. So 131 km (32 of gravel) for women and 201 (64 of gravel) for men, with a slight reduction compared to recent editions, but the most traditional sectors like San Martino in Grania and Monte Sante Marie will remain. We expect the usual enthusiastic support and the usual high-level startlist: the reigning champions Tadej Pogacar and Demi Vollering will be there, along with Van Aert, Healy, Alaphilippe, Gregoire, Del Toro. Among the women, a victory by Kopecky or Vollering would be nice, which would make it a hat-trick and there would be a memorial stone for a woman, or naturally by Elisa Longo Borghini, who won in 2017 and would thus make it a double.

Speaking of Italian winners, Moreno Moser was present, the rider who triumphed in 2013:
“I have a wonderful memory of this crazy race, unlike any other, loved by fans, while as a rider you either love it or hate it. You can never relax: you have to fight to be at the front before every gravel sector, the race can explode at any moment, and crashes and punctures are always just around the corner. You need outstanding bike-handling skills, and for these reasons it has become so popular. The final circuit also allows fans to enjoy it 100%, and this is a format we'll see more and more often in cycling. Riders interpret the race very differently today compared to when I won it: back then, after the Monte Sante Marie there were still about 80 riders together, whereas in recent editions the race can already be decided there. Although I think that when Pogacar eventually retires, we'll return to a more traditional style of racing. What goes through your mind before the very last climb to Piazza del Campo? If everything is still open when you get there, you don’t really have time to think because you just have to push all the way to the finish — for someone like Tadej it’s obviously different. In any case, entering a square with such historical and artistic value is incredible. I believe it’s the only Italian race that even people abroad never want to miss.”

Also present was Maria Giulia Confalonieri, who has just begun a new chapter of her life as a former athlete and as a councillor of the Italian Cycling Federation: “Strade Bianche wasn’t exactly suited to my characteristics as a rider, but it has always fascinated me, and I expect a spectacular battle, especially in the women’s race, already from the long sector number 4 halfway through the course.”

Further statements followed from organizers and partners.

Matteo Mursia, Chief Revenue Officer of RCS Sport:
“We feel great satisfaction and see an equally great opportunity for our partners in taking part not just in a World Tour competition, but in an event that actually includes many events within one. Strade Bianche is watched by 30 million people, and the media value of the event exceeds one and a half million euros. The amateur race, with around 8,500 race numbers, is sold out, as are the hotels in Siena and the surrounding area. Based also on research we'll publish, we estimate that the economic impact of Strade Bianche ranges between 80 and 100 million euros.”

Marco Briata, Marketing Director of title sponsor Crédit Agricole:
“The emotion of seeing our brand associated with Strade Bianche makes the significant investment worthwhile. We are the tenth-largest banking group in the world, French yes, but with a very strong presence in Italy, and whenever Siena is involved our French executives bombard us with emails because the international visibility is enormous. Cycling, as you know, is part of our DNA, with the historic partnership with the Tour de France and beyond. But Strade Bianche brings together so many ingredients and will be a long, exciting weekend. Moreover, on Saturday morning there will be a ride with Vincenzo Nibali for 40 of our clients.”

Manolo Bertocchi, Marketing Director of Colnago:
“Out of four editions as official bike of Strade Bianche, and with our partnership secured for the next three years (and we’ve also renewed with Il Lombardia!) we’ve won three and finished second in the other one. As writer Margaret Wolfe said, ‘Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder’… we don’t agree. Beauty can be absolutely objective, and the beauty of Siena and Strade Bianche is objective. We have customers competing just to come not only to the event, but to enjoy Siena for several days beforehand. That’s why we want to be here, and we’re proud to be here.”

Attention then turned to the Gran Fondo, sponsored by Estra, a Tuscan energy company represented here by Vice-President Alessandro Fabbrini. Former rider Davide Viganò, who collaborates with RCS’s racing division, presented the official jersey, featuring faded black-and-white checks symbolizing the city of Siena and echoing the outfits of the Palio jockeys.

Luca Onofrio, Head of Mass Events at RCS Sport, said:
“Every time I go to Siena I truly feel at home, surrounded not only by beauty but also by people who love to do new things and motivate us to work even harder to promote this event and this territory. Given the growing demand, for the Gran Fondo we'll have two separate starts for the first time. There will also be ‘mechanics on bikes’ from Shimano riding alongside participants, ready to provide technical assistance with maximum efficiency. The Medio Fondo will start at 7:30 am over 87 km, and the Gran Fondo at 9:00 am over 137 km. All partners and fans will be able to take part in several events within the event in the days leading up to it — participation that truly fills the heart with joy.”

Last but not least, the closing remarks from Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sport:
“Strade Bianche celebrates those who conceived this race and those who helped it grow into a WorldTour event. We've made changes that move it in the direction of a Monument, with the distance set at around 200 kilometers and with greater emphasis on the women’s race, in line with the introduction of Sanremo Women. And then there is the great amateur race, with participants literally from all over the world. Thanks also to a local administration that constantly pushes us to do more, and to sponsors who have joined us in large numbers. Registration is no longer possible, but explore our merchandising and get ready for 2027 — it will be even better!”

Joy, excitement and a deep passion for cycling will surely fill the hearts of fans and of us “narrators” of this sport alike, as we look ahead to the Sienese classic that offers its… dusty welcome to the great cycling season.