Profile Strade Bianche 2022

On March 5th, World Tour racing resumes in Italy with the highly anticipated Strade Bianche. This event, set amidst the gravel roads of Tuscany, stands out as one of the most unique races on the calendar. It consistently attracts many of the best riders in the world, drawn by the opportunity for a prestigious victory in Siena after navigating the challenging terrain, including steep climbs and sketchy descents, that the route has to offer.

Coming in at 184 kilometers the Strade Bianche route remains the same as the last few years, where it has always provided proper spectacle in what is one of the most exciting races of the season. Making a loop around Tuscany, with start and finish in the city of Siena, the route includes 3100 meters of climbing and a lot of those take place in gravel roads which makes this an unique race in the World Tour calendar.

There are 63 kilometers of gravel roads split into 11 sectors, and they are spread throughout the race. The longest of which is 11.9 kilometers long, Lucignano d'Asso which finishes with 96 kilometers to go. Every sector is a location where something can go wrong, and like in the cobbles it's about having as less energy spent as possible in these.

The decisive section of the race starts with the Monte Sante Marie where the gradients go up to 18%, it concludes with 43 kilometers to go and not only includes brutal gradients but also sketchy gravel descents in what is the second biggest sector of the race. From there on the riders face Colle Pinzuto with 17 kilometers to go and Le Tolfe with 11 kilometers to go which are the final two sectors and surely the last opportunities to create gaps out of power before reaching Siena.

There, the riders will face the iconic Via Santa Caterina with it's brutal gradients in the final kilometer, it's a hilltop finish that always leads to a worthy winner at the Piazza del Campo.