“I tried to close the gap and simply exploded” - Giulio Pellizzari collapses out of contention at Strade Bianche after tactical mishap on debut

For Giulio Pellizzari, the 2026 edition of Strade Bianche proved both brutal and instructive.

The young Italian began the day among the riders many observers believed could fight for a strong result on the Tuscan gravel. Instead, a single misjudgement on the race’s most decisive sector ultimately saw his ambitions unravel, leaving him to finish 79th, almost fifteen minutes behind winner Tadej Pogacar in Siena.

Yet despite the painful result, Pellizzari crossed the line, speaking more about lessons learned than disappointment.

The decisive moment of Pellizzari’s race came on the iconic Monte Sante Marie sector, the brutal gravel stretch that once again proved central to how the race unfolded.

“I made a mistake, taking Monte Sante Marie too far back,” Pellizzari explained after the finish in quotes collected by Qui Bici Sport. “I tried to close the gap and simply exploded.”

Once that effort failed, the race effectively turned into a survival exercise. “From that moment, it was just about getting the bike to the finish.”

Despite the result, Pellizzari remained clear that the experience itself had value. The Italian admitted the race had unfolded almost exactly as he had expected in terms of difficulty. “It was an incredibly hard race, as I expected, but I learned a lot, and it will help me for the future.”

Like many riders before him, the distinctive nature of the gravel classic also appears to have left a strong impression.'

Far from discouraging him, the experience only strengthened Pellizzari’s desire to return. “Yes, absolutely. I really liked it, especially with all the people along the course. For the next ten years, this will be a fixed race in my calendar.”

With little time to dwell on the disappointment, the Italian will now turn his focus immediately to the next major objective. “Tirreno-Adriatico starts on Monday. The level will be very high, but the objective is to do well.”

Looking ahead, the experience in Tuscany may ultimately prove more valuable than the result itself for Pellizzari. A hard lesson on positioning at the decisive moment cost him the chance to fight for the front of the race, but the young Italian leaves Siena with a clearer understanding of how the modern Strade Bianche is won and what it takes to compete among the best in one of cycling’s most demanding one day events.