2021 Strade Bianche Preview

The Strade Bianche is back in its traditional March Saturday slot after last year’s brief incursion into August due to Covid. The dusty, white gravel roads are already an iconic sight on the cycling calendar, and the race has already taken on a huge amount of prestige despite only hosting its first edition in 2007.

Rain and cold temperatures are forecast, making for a sticky, tough race. Sounds perfect. Let’s do it.

Where to Watch

UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand – GCN+
Italy – Rai Sport
Belgium – Sporza
France – L’Equipe

Route

The route remains unchanged from previous years. In numbers, that means 11 sectors of white gravel roads, totally 63km. They’re spread over 184km of brutal racing. 

To make things even harder, the route is packed with short, steep hills. The lighter climbers have an advantage where gravel and incline meet, but it’s no secret that the winners list comprises almost entirely bigger riders.

The first major selection will take place around the 65km to go mark. Then expect fireworks as the race becomes terribly difficult again with 25km remaining.

Startlist

2021 Strade Bianche startlist (external site)

Ones to Watch

Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) – The Belgian won last year with a solo attack 13km from the finish, making up for an embarrassing performance on the final climb in 2018. A week later he won Milan-San Remo. Can he repeat either or both of these victories?

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) – Get used to seeing MvdP in these lists. A somewhat bemusing solo attack at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne announced his return to European cycling, but the Strade Bianche is 2021’s first episode of his epic rivalry with Wout van Aert… A rivalry that’s rapidly becoming bigger than the sport itself.

Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-QuickStep) – Don’t sleep on 2019’s winner either. The terrain suits the Frenchman, and the Belgian-Dutch head-to-head going on alongside him may give him leeway to make a move.

Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers) – A pick out of left field, but not one without merit. The Yorkshireman has impressed so far this season, bringing his cyclocross form easily to the road. It’s hard to think of an outsider better suited to this race.