The hardest Strade Bianche in history in 2024: For the first time more than 200 km and 15 sections of gravel!
CyclingWednesday, 31 January 2024 at 09:55
The prestigious Strade Bianche, a classic gravel race set in the picturesque landscapes of Tuscany, is preparing for an even more demanding edition in 2024. Breaking with its traditional format, this year's race will see a significant increase in distance, surpassing the 200-kilometre mark for the first time.
In previous editions, the gravel classic remained at a distance of 184 kilometres, insufficient to claim the title of sixth monument. The Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Il Lombardia and Milano-Sanremo all exceed 240 kilometres.
In 2024, according to information from hln.be, the Strade Bianche takes a tentative step towards a higher status. For the first time, the distance will surpass the magical 200-kilometre mark. What's more, the extra kilometres won't come for free. Instead of 11 gravel sections with a total of 63 unpaved kilometres, the peloton on March 2 will face a course with 15 gravel sections, adding up to more than 70 kilometres without asphalt, a challenge that promises to test the riders' skills on unforgiving terrain.
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.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- maybe if he wins every race left on the calendar offering UCI pointswrsty09-09-2026
- agreed. they have 2 cards depending on what the opposition does and who is strong that daymij09-09-2026
- First see how Wout does in Granada. It is a very similar course
Rafionain-Glas09-09-2026 - WVA to follow MVDP, Remco to follow Del Toro/Sexias. Simple. otherwise attack at different pointsabstractengineer09-09-2026
- All riders think they can become World Champion now Pogacar is not there. That could be fun. 😁
DareDevil09-09-2026 - Is Remco theoretically able to jump over Pogacar? By winning the World Championships, Lombardia, maybe something extra?DareDevil09-09-2026
- On paper there are 2 captains, but Evenepoel is the only real captain.DareDevil09-09-2026
- God, I’d love to see this. I can genuinely see him as the next Sagan, he has the humour for it.anonymouscyclist08-09-2026
- Time moves on. I feel no sorrow or dejection towards Ineos’ lack of dominance, like its old Sky days. Cycling is at its best when it's unpredictable, chaotic, and tense. Seeing generational talents clash across different jerseys, backgrounds, and nationalities is far more thrilling than watching a single train control a race. Back then it was Britain; now it’s Slovenia, Denmark, and beyond. Its jeopardy that makes us watch.anonymouscyclist08-09-2026
- Silly prediction I’ve said before and will say again: after he wins all the races and sets the records he wants to set, he bulks up and becomes a sprinter.RidesHills08-09-2026
Loading
A couple of changes in the #StradeBianche course will make the men's race even harder! ✅ 184 km ➡️ 200+ km ✅ 11 gravel sectors ➡️ 15 gravel sectors ✅ 63 unpaved km ➡️ 70+ unpaved km
De Strade Bianche wordt zwaarder. Vier extra grindstroken duwen de semi-klassieker in Toscane door het plafond van 200 kilometer. Van 11 grindstroken met in totaal 63 km onverharde wegen gaat het naar 15 grindstroken, goed voor meer dan 70 km onverhard. hln.be/wielrennen/vie…
1 Comments