Tadej Pogacar gets his own Strade Bianche sector named after him - World Champion joins Fabian Cancellara

Strade Bianche is professional cycling's most famous gravel-focused event, and in it there are three sectors that are of particular relevance: Monte Sante Marie, Colle Pinzuto and Le Tolfe. After the first was named after Fabian Cancellara, the second has been named after none other than Tadej Pogacar.

The Italian race is not a monument, but is perhaps the race that is closest to the status outside of the five that have marked their name in the sport's history. A sure-fire way to deliver its historical status is to award the biggest winners in the race with their own name in the most iconic sectors of the event - the same way that riders such as Henri Desgrange and Fausto Coppi are tributed every year at the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France, in the race's highest peaks.

At Strade Bianche, the riders get to have one sector named after them after they achieve three wins. Fabian Cancellara achieved this back in 2016 with his third triumph, and has had Monte Sante Marie named after him. Tadej Pogacar has won the race in 2022, 2024 and 2025; and whilst Monte Sante Marie is the sector more closely connected to his success; his name will now be attached to Colle Pinzuto.

The 2.4-kilometer long sector features a grueling uphill gravel climb, which the riders now tackle on two occasions since the course has been made more difficult in recent years. The race can certainly be decided on this sector, and Pogacar may obtain a record-breaking fourth win next weekend as he goes in leading an incredibly strong and in-form UAE Team Emirates - XRG.

Strade Bianche has been created back in 2007 but has already reached a status within pro cycling that few events can reach; with a mix of climbers and classics specialists battling it out into Siena after hours spent in the scenic towns and off-road sectors or Tuscany, Italy.