Strade Bianche

Can we already call this one a classic? The landscapes are incomparable; the best race and win this; it’s got characteristic, distinguishable elements that make it unique; and many take it as a big goal. There’s even some people who call it ‘the sixth Monument’. All in all, the Strade Bianche is such a beautiful race, and Alejandro couldn’t miss this event in what’s expected to be his farewell season in 2022.

The route of ‘the southernmost Northern classic in Europe’ doesn’t change this year, 183km in and around Siena with up to eleven white road section. Contrary to the women’s race to be held a couple of hours before this, the last three sections –Vico d’Arbia (-25km), Colle Pinzuto (-16km) and Le Tolfe (-13km)– will be reached with a peloton torn into several pieces, due to two other ‘sterrati’ not covered in the morning by the women: those of Monteroni d’Arbia (9.5km) and the almost-endless Monte Sante Marie (11.5km).

The last five sections should witness a fierce competition, which usually, however, isn’t decided until the slopes of Via Santa Caterina, inside the city and preceding the famous Piazza del Campo, the other big symbol of this majestic event.