As it happened: 2026 Strade Bianche won by long-distance attack on dry day in Tuscany
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Thanks for joining us today, for another example of unparalleled brilliance by Tadej Pogačar – plus some encouraging signs that a younger generation are at least getting closer to being able to challenge him some day.
Pogačar’s next appointment isn’t for two weeks at Milan-Sanremo, a race he finds much harder to win than this point. But our next appointment is tomorrow, when we’ll bring you the first stage of Paris-Nice, which is always one of the best stage races of the season. Be sure to tune in again!
Pogačar riding up Via Santa Caterina.
Pogačar might have been untouchable once again, but the age of the riders immediately behind indicate that a new generation is coming through – Paul Seixas in 2nd is 19, Del Toro in 3rd is 22, and Grégoire in 4th is 23.
Kudos to Isaac del Toro, too. He might have been itching to ride for himself, but did the dutiful domestique role, covering wheels and not risking bringing Pogačar’s gap down. For his efforts, he was still rewarded with a place on the podium, in third-place – his highest finish to date at a World Tour classic.
If / when Pogačar does, you imagine Paul Seixas might be the man to inherit his crown. Second-place today was a super effort from the teenager, perhaps the best of his career so far. It’s certainly his best result in a race at this level, and were it not for Pogačar peerlessness, we’d be celebrating a career-making victory from the Frenchman.
So that’s a record-breaking four Strade Bianche titles for Tadej Pogačar, in addition to his record-equalling four Il Lombardias, three Liege-Bastogne-Lieges, and two Tour of Flanders, to name just a few. Will this man ever stop winning?
Pidcock is seventh, Jorgenson eighth, both distanced on the final climb. Kron leads the next group for ninth with Van Aert behind in tenth.
Grégoire takes fourth, Gianni Vermeersch fifth, Jan Christen sixth.
Romain Grégoire has attacked the chase group, looking good for fourth.
Seixas takes second, Del Toro a few seconds behind in third.
Seixas is going to take second-place, despite doing all the work for so long.
Behind, Paul Seixas has dropped Del Toro!
Now he slows down as he approaches the finish smiling, taking in the cheering crowd.
He’s not holding back, attacking up the finishing climb for as big a win as he can manage.
1KM TO GO
Pogačar rides under the flamme rouge, one again with a massive lead over the helpless opposition.
2km to go for Pogačar. Soon he’ll be greeted by the roar of the fans waiting for him at Via Santa Caterina.
Seixas is still looking so strong. He’s growing his lead over the chasers, back up to 25 seconds, despite receiving no help from a resolute Del Toro.
Just 5km to go for Pogačar, his lead 1:25. He’s nearing the iconic finishing square in Siena, one of the most beautiful in all of cycling.
Still its Seixas doing all the work. This has been a serious display of strength from the young Frenchman, but Del Toro is surely going to be very fresh having sat on for so long.
The chase group can see De Toro and Seixas up the road. This could be a big fight for the podium.
So as things stand, Del Toro and Seixas will complete the podium, but their place there remains far from secure with the chase group just 15 seconds behind them.
Christen has rejoined the chase group behind him.
Christen has attacked out of the rest of the chasers and is trying to chase up to Del Toro and Seixas. UAE could be for a clean sweep of the podium at this rate.
Seixas and Del Toro come off the gravel together, 20 seconds ahead of the chasers.
Seixas is accelerating on the gravel, but Del Toro is glued to his wheel.
Pogačar’s finished the section, his lead over the chasing duo still at 1:15. He’s nearly home and dry now.
Seixas’s attack did take something out of Pogačar’s lead, but he still leads by a healthy 1:20 as he enters the final 15km.
Del Toro has come through to take a turn for the first time, but isn’t pushing at all. He’s still leaving it up to Seixas to do all the work.
Pidcock is leading the chase behind, with Christen, Jorgenson, G. Vermeersch and Gregoire on his wheel.
Will there come a point where UAE are confident enough of Pog’s lead, and allow Del Toro to work with Seixas?
Seixas is pleading with Del Toro to take a turn, but with his teammate up the road, Del Toro is refusing.
Seixas has gone clear, and he’s taken Del Toro with him again.
Paul Seixas takes over at the front of the chase group on the gravel climb.
He’s digging deep on the uphill, swinging from side to side on the road.
Pogačar is grimacing a little, but that’s more a sign of the effort he’s putting in rather than a struggle. He is well in control of this race, with his lead remaining at 1:40.
Grégoire is leading the chase group on the gravel. They’re still cohesive, and working together, but aren’t making inroads anymore.
Pogačar appears to be back in the grove now. His lead’s growing again, up to 1:40.
The gap between Pogačar and the chasers has steadied again, and is holding at 1:20.
Pogačar earlier, riding Le Tolfe.
30KM TO GO
Still the gap comes down, albeit gradually. It’s now at 1:20 between Pogačar and the chasers.
Gianni Vermeersch and Romain Grégoire have joined up to the first chase group. That could give them added firepower.
Remember, Pogačar’s lead was up to 1:50 at its highest. It’s come down significantly from that.
In the second chase group, Ben Healy has been dropped. He’s paying for the many attacks he made earlier.
Still the gap decreases, now down to 1:20. This is getting interesting…
Seixas and Jorgenson in the chase behind.
The gap’s still decreasing, now down to 1:30. Could the unthinkable be happening, and Pogačar is getting tired?
Both Del Toro and Christen will be passengers in this group, as teammates of Pog. The onus is on Jorgenson, Seixas and Pidcock to do all the work if they press on with this.
These five are committed, reflected by Pogačar’s lead, which has come down a little to 1:35.
Five of the chasers have a small gap over the others – Jorgenson, Del Toro, Seixas, Pidcock and Christen.
Healy attacks as the chase group arrives onto Strade del Castagno.
Despite attacking, Pidcock was unable to go clear, and the chase group remains together.
The crowds up this climb are making it very narrow on La Tolfe, and Healy was briefly held up by them.
Pidcock attacks.
Van Aert leads the rest of the chasers on La Tolfe, and has brought back Lapeira and Christen.
Lapeira has Jan Christen on his wheel, and a gap ahead of the others.
Lapeira has attacked out of the chase group, as they approach La Tolfe.
Pogačar’s lead is really in the ascendancy now. It’s grown to 1:50. Surely there’s no bringing him back now.
Decathlon are the best represented team in the chase, with Lapeira and Labrosse present to help Seixas.
Seixas takes over and accelerates, but though the group is strung out, not much damage has been done.
Gianni Vermeersch leads the chase group on this section.
GRAVEL – COLLE PINZUTO
Pogačar is now onto the net gravel section. This one is particularly special to him, as it’s been named in his honour following his exploits at previous editions of Strade Bianche.
50KM TO GO
They definitely aren’t going to catch Pogačar riding like this. Their deficit is up to 1:25.
The riders in this newly-grown chase group are now attacking each other rather than join together to chase.
Christen, Bilbao, Lapeira, Gianni Vermeersch, Simmons, Valgren and Clément Braz Afonso are the riders from the second chase group who have now joined the first chase group.
The second chase group has caught the first. So we now have a big grop of about 15 all together behind Pogačar.
The main chase now has seven riders in it, but could yet be joined by the second chase group, which is only 20 seconds behind.
Healy has gone clear with Andreas Kron out of the second chase group, and are about to join the Seixas group.
Here was Pogačar being set up for what looks like it might be a race-winning attack on the Monte Sane Marie.
60KM TO GO
Despite the coming together, the chase group is going backwards they’re now 1:15 behind Pogačar, and only 15 seconds ahead of the Van Aert/Healy chase group.
Healy is also in that group, and is attacking it.
The Van Aert chase group has gotten smaller, with himself and about 7 other riders going clear – among them are Valgren, Simmons, Bilbao, Lapeira and Jan Christen.
A familiar sight – Pogačar leading the race in his rainbow stripes.
Del Toro, meanwhile, is just sitting at the back of this group, resting up while his teammate leads the race.
Can the chasers work together to bring Pogačar back? Right now it’s advantage Pog as his lead grows to 1:00, but there is a lot of firepower in this group if Seixas, Pidcock, Jorgenson and Grégoire are all willing to go hard in this chase.
Seixas and Del Toro have been joined by the three chasers.
Paul Seixas is sitting up and waiting for the chasing trio to join. A wise move – persisting alone would have been the mistake of over-zealous youth.
The all-important moment Pogačar went clear from the others.
The trio can see Seixas and Del Toro. Can their presence add some impetus to the chase?
Behind them is a chase group being led by Van Aert, a whole minute behind the Pidcock/Jorgenson/Grégoire group.
70KM TO GO
So the situation on the road is that Pogačar leads the race, Seixas and Del Toro behind at 30 seconds, and Jorgenson, Grégoire and Pidcock next on the road at 45 seconds.
The chasing trio of Jorgenson, Grégoire and Pidcock are a further 20 seconds behind them. Might it be more useful for Seixas for them to join him, so he can have some assistance in the chase?
The gap’s now being reported as 28 seconds. In which case Seixas might not be out of contention just yet.
Pogačar has finished Monte Sante Marie, and his lead over Seixas and Del Toro is getting bigger – it’s now up to 45 seconds.
UAE leading the peloton, before Pogačar’s devastating attack.
Seixas isn’t giving up the ghost, and is about 20 seconds behind Pogačar. But with Del Toro say on his wheel, things are very difficult for him.
Del Toro has now caught up to Seixas. UAE Team Emriates are in a perfect situation.
Pogačar’s gap over Seixas is growing…
Del Toro is third on the road, and behind him Jorgenson, followed closely by Pidcock and Grégoire.
Pogačar accelerates again, and he’s dropped Seixas!
And here comes Seixas – he’s ridden his way back onto Pogacar’s wheel!
80KM TO GO
Pogačar made his move with about 80km to go, but hasn’t quite blown everyone away just yet.
Seixas is leading the chase, he’s living up to the hype!
Seixas, Jorgenson and Del Toro are a few seconds behind Pog.
Pidcock is on his wheel, but the others are being distenced.
Pogacar moves to the front on a downhill part of the gravel sector.
About 10 riders are clear in a lead group – Pogacar, Del Toro, Pidcock, Gregoire, Seixas, Jorgenson, Lapeira and Labrosse are all there, being led by Jan Christen of UAE.
There are splits opening up, Healy one of the riders caught behind.
Pidcock is still up there – his mechanical was a slipped chain rather than puncture, thankfully.
As is Jorgenson, but his teammate Van Aert is further adrift.
Del Toro and Paul Seixas are right behind Pogačar in the peloton, which remains large.
The break has been caught.
Florian Vermeersch leads, Pogacar on his wheel.
We won’t spoil it here, but if you want to read about what happened in the women’s Strade Bianche, here’s our report.
Jorgenson’s back in the peloton already. That was a smooth change.
Mechanical for Matteo Jorgenson. He’s having a bike change. Jorgenson is antother rider who could be right up there today, riding alongside Van Aert for Visma-lease a Bike.
All the major favourites appear to still be in the peloton. A couple of Ineos riders have been dropped, however – Axel Laurance and Connor Swift.
90KM TO GO
UAE Team Emirates-XRG lead the peloton as they approach the next section, Monte Sante Marie. If history is an indication, this could be where their man Tadej Pogačar first lays the hammer down.
The break’s lead is collapsing, now down to a mere 20 seconds. The catch could be imminent.
The peloton’s bigger than 40 riders again – it seems some are catching back on now that they’re back on the tarmac.
The break up the road, now only 40 seconds ahead.
The peloton has broken up on this gravel section. It’s been reduced to about 40 riders.
Matej Mohorič is an outside bet for victory today, having shown something of a return to form early season, and as a master on the gravel as proven by his victory at the World Championships three years ago.
GRAVEL – SAN MARTINO IN GRANIA
They’re onto the gravel now. This one’s 9.4km, is mostly uphill, and has been given the maximum five star rating. We can expect carnage!
We’re nearing the San Martino in Grania gravel section. Things are getting tense!
The much-hyped Paul Seixas has negotiated all of the day’s gravel sections so far, despite his lack of experience here. He’s tried to play down expectations, but many – not least the French public – are anticipating much from him today.
The riders are off the gravel. There’s some respite now until the 6th section, San Martino in Grania – that’s where the race could really get going, with potentially decisive, race-shaping attacks.
A crash on the gravel, with three riders down – George Bennett, Markus Hoelgaard and Aaron Dockx.
The women’s race is coming to a close, and it’s been a thriller. Be sure to find out what happens here.
GRAVEL – PIEVE A SALTI
The riders are out of the frying pan that was Lucignano d’Asso, and into the fire of the fifth gravel sector, which is 8km with a vicious uphill towards the end.
The peloton, still being led by UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
Though he’ll be riding in service of his teammate Tadej Pogačar, Isaac del Toro has a chance to get a strong result for himself too today. The Mexican is on electrifying form already this year, taking overall victory at the UAE Tour, and, having excelled at the gravel stage of last year’s Giro d’Italia, looks well-suited to Strade Bianche.
UAE Team Emirates XRG leading the peloton.
The riders present in the break demonstrates how, although a one-day classic known for its road surfaces, Strade Bianche is these days a climber-friendly race. Jack Haig and Patrick Konrad are both riders better known for their exploits in the mountains and stage race GC battles than as classics men.
The nature of the race and the chaos of the gravel means there are plenty of incidents that go unreported. Here’s Quinn Simmons being held up by an incident earlier. Each rider will have their own individual stories with ups and downs, and we’ll only learn the full picture in the race’ aftermath.
The riders have crested the Montalcino climb, which is a rare obstacle in this race in that it is a climb, but over a tarmacked road.
Back to looking at some of today’s favourites.
As well as Tadej Pogačar and Tom Pidcock, Wout van Aert is another former winner taking part today. It’s been a long time since his triumph here in 2020, and changes in the route to make it more difficult, in addition to a decline in his form, has made him a less likely winner. But you can’t write off a man of his quality, even if the Belgian himself is unsure how well he can challenge.
Here are the nine riders up the road in the day’s break.
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Tadej Pogačar riding safely in the peloton on the gravel roads.
Further up the road, it’s all kicking off in the women’s Strade Bianche – a reminder that you can follow along with all of the action in that race with us too.
Strade Bianche Women LIVE – Chabbey and Włodarczyk lead as riders take on key gravel sectors
In the absence of Mathieu van der Poel – who deems the Strade Bianche route to be too demanding for his attributes – Tibor Del Grosso is leading the Alpecin-Premier Tech team, and is a dangerous man to let into the day’s break.
There are nine riders in this breakaway group:
That group has over a minute on the peloton. It seems we have our break of the day!
A group of about ten has gone clear, and it’s got some impressive names in it, including young talent Tibor Del Grosso.
While we wait for a break to form, let’s have a look at some of the favourites, the men most likely to take the race to Tadej Pogačar today.
Here’s a small group that tried, but failed, to get away.
Another abandoned to report – Luca Paletti of the Bardiani team.
The riders at the front of the peloton, engaged in the battle to form the day’s break.
A first glimpse of the peloton up close on the road today. The weather is dry, which will make for a duty race over the white gravel roads.
Unfortunately, we already have news of abandonments – Albert Withen Philipsen, Kim Heiduk and Robbe Dhondt are all out of the race. It’s unclear if they were involved in a crash.
The peloton is through the second gravel sector, but still remains together with no break having gone clear yet.
None of the fallers seem badly hurt, and all are back riding again.
There’s been a crash already, and we’re not even onto the gravel roads yet. About half a dozen riders have gone down.
Pogačar at the start, with some of the peloton’s national champions – most notably Quinn Simmons in his American champion’s jersey.
Early predictions of it being a mild, dry day have come into fruition, and so the peloton are set to take on the infamous gravel roads in their dry form, rather than the wet mud that has been the case in some recent editions.
Tadej Pogačar at the start, about to begin his mission to get his hands on that trophy once more.
The men are on the move – they’re making their way through Siena towards the official start, which is only a matter of minutes away.
We’re still waiting for the men to get going, but the women’s race is already well underway and into the gravel sectors. You can follow along with all the action here with Cyclingnews.
Also potentially playing against Tadej Pogačar’s strengths are changes made to the route. After years of getting harder and harder, the organisers have this time tweaked it to make it shorter, feature less gravel sectors, and therefore less brutally difficult – which will (in theory at least) make it harder for the Slovenian to ride away from the rest of the field as he has in previous editions.
And then there’s the factor of the other riders catching up, especially a new generation ready to rise – epitomised by 19-year-old Paul Seixas. Today the stunningly-talented teenager makes his Strade Bianche debut, and is braced for a duel against Pogačar in what could become a great new rivalry.
Will this year’s edition be quite so straightforward for Pogačar? Not necessarily. As sublime as the Slovenian has been these past two seasons, those standards he has set are impossibly high to maintain for too long, he inevitably must peak eventually – could that peak have already come?
Strade Bianche is also a race Pogačar knows down to a tee, and he’s proven to be unstoppable here in recent years, winning all three of the editions he has started since 2022.
He’a back! Almost five months since rounding off another historic season by winning Il Lombardia, Tadej Pogačar is back racing again, and the expectation is for him to pick up from where he left off and start terrorising the opposition once more.
Hello and welcome to the 2026 men’s Strade Bianche!
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