Results Strade Bianche 2026 | Tadej Pogacar dominates with 78km solo to win on 2026 season debut as Del Toro & 19-year-old Seixas complete podium

Tadej Pogacar has delivered another extraordinary performance on the Tuscan gravel roads to win Strade Bianche, attacking from distance before riding alone to Siena in the opening race of his 2026 season.

The world champion launched his decisive move with 78 kilometres remaining on the brutal Monte Sante Marie sector, dropping every rival and turning the remainder of the race into a long solo demonstration of strength across the white roads of Tuscany. Behind him, the fight for the remaining podium places developed into a tense tactical battle, with rising French star Paul Seixas and Pogacar's UAE Team Emirates – XRG teammate Isaac del Toro emerging as the strongest challengers.

The race had already been ridden at an exceptionally high tempo long before Pogacar attacked.

An early breakaway of nine riders, including Jack Haig, Patrick Konrad, and Tibor Del Grosso, never gained significant breathing room as UAE Team Emirates - XRG controlled the race from the peloton. The real selection began when the riders hit the five-star Monte Sante Marie gravel sector, the race’s most feared stretch of sterrato.

UAE riders began to lift the pace one after another. Florian Vermeersch took the front before handing over to Jan Christen, stretching the peloton and reducing the field dramatically. The breakaway was swallowed, and the favourites were quickly isolated.

With the race already fractured, Pogacar launched the move that ultimately decided the race.

Accelerating sharply from the saddle, the Slovenian immediately forced a selection that only a handful of riders could even attempt to follow. Seixas briefly managed to bridge across, producing one of the most impressive responses of the race as the 19-year-old closed the gap on the steep gravel slopes. However the effort proved unsustainable.

Within moments Pogacar surged again and the young Frenchman was forced to concede ground as the world champion disappeared alone up the road.

Once clear, Pogacar settled into a relentless rhythm that steadily increased his advantage.

Despite more than 60 kilometres still remaining when the attack succeeded, the gap continued to grow as the riders behind struggled to organise a coherent chase.

By the time Pogacar reached the decisive gravel sectors around Siena, his lead had grown well beyond a minute. The Slovenian even had time to acknowledge a symbolic moment on the Colle Pinzuto sector, where organisers had unveiled a commemorative stone earlier in the week celebrating his Strade Bianche victories.

As he passed the corner where he had crashed in the previous year’s edition, Pogacar gestured calmly toward the camera before continuing his solo ride.

While Pogacar rode alone toward Siena, the race behind developed into an intense fight for the remaining podium positions.

Repeated attacks gradually produced an elite chase group containing Tom Pidcock, Matteo Jorgenson, Vermeersch, Romain Gregoire, Seixas, Del Toro and Christen. The group repeatedly split and reformed across the rolling terrain approaching Siena.

Eventually Seixas launched a decisive acceleration that forced the next selection, with Del Toro the only rider able to respond immediately.

Behind them, the remaining riders hesitated just long enough to allow the pair to establish a small gap. Christen briefly attempted to bridge across but was quickly brought back by the rest of the chase group.

At the front of the race, however, the outcome was never seriously in doubt. After more than 70 kilometres alone, Pogacar maintained a lead of over a minute as he approached the steep Via Santa Caterina climb leading to Siena’s Piazza del Campo.

The performance once again underlined why Strade Bianche has become one of the races most closely associated with the Slovenian’s aggressive style of racing.

For Pogacar, the victory marked a spectacular start to the 2026 season and another demonstration that when he chooses to attack from distance, even the strongest riders in the peloton often have little answer.