The organizers introduced two main adjustments to the 2024 Strade Bianche route, the space is now over 200km for the primary time within the historical past of the race, and the addition of a ending circuit loop. The 215km twisty and undulating, with no prolonged climbs, course departs from Siena and finishes on the high of the punishing climb to the Piazza del Campo.
The route via the scenic hills of Tuscany takes on the enduring white (bianche) gravel roads (strade) that snake throughout the countryside. 4 gravel sectors had been added this yr for a complete of 15 sectors, every is given a stage of issue on a scale of 1 to 5 stars (one being best).
There’s a complete of 71 kilometres of gravel within the race, the longest is 11.9 kilometres and runs previous the tiny village of Lucignano d’Asso, though this part is flat and ranked three stars. In 2022, a robust gust of wind blew throughout this part and took down a number of riders together with World Champion Julian Alaphilippe
Beginning close to the Stadium/Fortezza Medicea in Siena, the primary half of the race consists of the longer rolling gravel street sections throughout a loop south in direction of Montalcino. Coming in 21km into the race, the 5.8km sector 2 would be the first tough little bit of the race, with a brief descent adopted by an extended climb that includes sections over 10%.
When the wind would not tear the race aside, the primary difficulties of Strade Bianche embody the 9.5km lengthy San Martino in Grania part that climbs for greater than half of the stretch of gravel and has gradients of as much as 12%, the Monte Sante Marie that kicks as much as 18% and is 11.5km lengthy. These back-to-back gravel sections come between 102km and 84km to go, and previously had been usually the breaking factors for the race.
After eight gravel sections, the riders will sort out the 30-km circuit which incorporates the two.4km sector 10, the climb towards Colle Pinzuto, with gradients peaking as excessive as 15% adopted by sector 11, Le Tolfe, (1.1 km), marked by a fast-running descent adopted by a really punchy climb with a most gradient of 18%.
Shortly after Le Tolfe, upon the primary passage, the route takes a first-ever experience on the Strada del Castagno (twelfth sector, 1.3 km), which results in some difficult passes on paved roads to the thirteenth sector (Montechiaro 3.3 km), which was coated within the first editions of the race. The circuit ends on the finish of this sector, in Vico d’Arbia.
The sectors of Colle Pinzuto and Le Tolfe can be repeated inside 20km to go offering one other level for attacking earlier than the route turns in direction of Siena.
The race concludes with the climb up via the slim Through Santa Caterina with gradients of 16% to central Siena. With 150 m to go, a proper flip leads into Through Rinaldini, and enters the Piazza del Campo with simply 70 metres to go resulting in the ultimate downhill 30 metres sprint to the end line.
Strade Bianche 2024 gravel sectors
| Identify | Km to go | Size (km) | Max grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vidritta | 201 | 2.1 | – |
| Bagnaia | 193.7 | 5.8 | – |
| Radi | 181.6 | 4.4 | 12% |
| La Piana | 170.9 | 5.5 | – |
| Lucignano d’Asso | 138.2 | 11.9 | – |
| Pieve a Salti | 125.3 | 8 | 11% |
| San Martino in Grania | 102.3 | 9.5 | 12% |
| Monte Sante Marie | 84 | 11.5 | 18% |
| Monteaperti | 53.7 | 0.8 | 13% |
| Colle Pinzuto | 49.3 | 2.4 | 15% |
| Le Tolfe | 43.1 | 1.1 | 18% |
| Strada del Castagno | 39.6 | 1.3 | – |
| Montechiaro | 25.8 | 3.3 | – |
| Colle Pinzuto | 19.1 | 2.4 | 15% |
| Le Tolfe | 12.8 | 1.1 | 18% |
