Pogačar Attacks at Strade Bianche
Slovenian cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar launched a decisive attack on the legendary gravel sector at Monte Sante Marie during Strade Bianche, breaking away from the peloton with a chase group of five including Van Aert and Pidcock following. The race showcases cycling's most challenging "white roads" through Tuscany, drawing the world's best cyclists for this prestigious one-day classic. The unpredictable gravel conditions make it a thrilling test of endurance and bike handling skills.
This victory marks Tadej Pogačar's record-breaking fourth win at Strade Bianche, making him the most successful rider in the race's 20-edition history. The win was also his third in a row, a feat of modern dominance in the spring classics. Pogačar's race-winning move was a solo attack with roughly 80 kilometers left to the finish in Siena's Piazza del Campo. This echoes his 2024 victory, where he launched a similar long-range solo effort of 81 kilometers to take the win. The decisive attack occurred on the Monte Sante Marie, an 11.5-kilometer sector of gravel regarded as one of the race's most challenging. Known for its steep gradients and technical difficulty, this section has often been the launchpad for race-winning moves in previous editions. The chasers were left to battle for the remaining podium spots, with 19-year-old French sensation Paul Seixas finishing second, over a minute behind Pogačar. Pogačar's own UAE Team Emirates teammate, Isaac del Toro of Mexico, secured third place. The 2026 edition of the race was run on a slightly shortened course of 201 kilometers, featuring 14 gravel sectors that totaled 64 kilometers of Tuscany's iconic "white roads." This was a reduction in both overall distance and the amount of gravel compared to the previous year. The victory continues a remarkable run for the Slovenian, who is already a four-time Tour de France winner and two-time world champion. This dominant performance came in his very first race of the 2026 season. In recognition of his previous victories, the Colle Pinzuto gravel sector was dedicated to Pogačar after his third win in 2025. This follows the tradition of honoring three-time winners, with a sector on Monte Sante Marie having been named for Fabian Cancellara.
