“I tried to close the gap and simply exploded” - Giulio Pellizzari collapses out of contention at Strade Bianche after tactical mishap on debut
Cycling
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.
Monte Sante Marie mistake proves decisive
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.”
Tough debut but lessons learned
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.'
“For the next ten years this will be a fixed race in my calendar”
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.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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