Strade Bianche, a race that has become a staple of the early spring cycling calendar, once again delivered an enthralling spectacle, with both men's and women's races providing a rollercoaster of emotions and unexpected twists. The event, held in the picturesque landscapes of Tuscany, Italy, showcased the very best of the sport, with a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talents. This year's edition was particularly notable for the performances of Tadej Pogacar and Paul Seixas, who both lived up to the hype, while the women's race was marred by an unfortunate incident that took the shine off an otherwise stellar field.
Pogacar's Dominance
Tadej Pogacar, the Slovenian superstar, continued his remarkable run at Strade Bianche, winning his fourth title in five years. His performance this year was a testament to his enduring dominance in the one-day classics. Pogacar's victory was all the more impressive given that he attacked solo from 78km out, holding off a formidable field that included the likes of Tom Pidcock, Isaac del Toro, and Matteo Jorgenson. The 27-year-old's engine seemed to have remained in top form over the winter, and his new peroxide hair did not seem to have affected his performance.
What makes Pogacar's dominance particularly fascinating is the consistency with which he has won this race. In the last 12 months, he has launched attacks from range in some of the most prestigious one-day races, including the Tour of Flanders, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, the World Championships, and the European Championships. His wins at Fleche Wallonne and Tre Valli Varesine further solidify his status as one of the greatest one-day riders of all time. The only gap in his palmares is Milan-San Remo, a race he is desperate to win, and where he will face a challenge from Mathieu van der Poel, the victor at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad last weekend.
The spectacle of these races can be frustrating, as it is the reality of witnessing dominance. To build a career that will likely end with Pogacar deemed the greatest cyclist in history, there will be races in which his rivals are ground into fine white dust. However, the excitement of this edition of Strade Bianche, in the men's race at least, was that the peloton, inured by Pogacar's greatness, left Tuscany with a new talking point, who wore a silver medal on his chest.
Seixas Lives Up to the Hype
Paul Seixas, the 19-year-old from France, lived up to the hype in the biggest race of his young career. Seixas, who has been burdened with expectation by virtue of his talent and his nationality, rode some of the greatest riders in the world off his wheel, dropping all but one. His performance in Tuscany seven days after winning the Faun-Ardèche Classic demonstrated that he is already one of the world's top climbers, and that it is not unrealistic that he one day could be at Pogacar's level.
Seixas' performance was all the more remarkable given that he led the chase when Pogacar attacked on Monte Sante Marie. He was the only rider who even gave themselves the chance of following through the mist of chalk. However, he was blocked by Del Toro, who tried to play a game of cat and mouse, and Seixas had to burn valuable energy in pursuit alone. Yet Seixas had matches left, and his pacing of the pursuit was crucial in bringing the chase group back together.
The question now is whether Seixas should be sent to the Tour de France. On the one hand, he is already at the level to compete, and the exposure would be massive. On the other hand, a three-week stage race is an entirely new beast, and the exposure for a French super-talent would be massive. Sources at Decathlon have indicated that a final decision will not be made until after Liege-Bastogne-Liege, but the Tour is now officially on the table.
Chabbey's Shock Victory
The women's race, however, was marred by an unfortunate incident that took the shine off an otherwise stellar field. Elise Chabbey, a 32-year-old former medical student who competed in the 2012 Olympics as a canoer, took a shock victory in the Piazza del Campo. Chabbey went up the road early, with 50km to go, potentially as a tactical play for team leader Demi Vollering, but when chaos began to play out behind the Swiss rider, she suddenly found herself in position for a startling win.
The incident that marred the race was a motorbike veering right at a fork in the road, aiming to leave the course while, with no signage or barriers, the racers followed down a rut-filled farm track. They all lost more than a minute, and the chase was over. Chabbey, however, had license to go for the win, and she slipped through from fourth place to lead into the Pizza del Campo, beating Niewiadoma-Phinney to the line.
Strade Bianche as the Sixth Monument?
The debate over whether Strade Bianche should be considered the sixth Monument is a fascinating one. The race is probably the most beautiful on the calendar, winding through Tuscan hill towns, vineyards, and cities alike, with its riders covered with the chalk of the characteristic white roads. Those tracks also make it unique, as no other Monument features extended gravel sections.
Factors working against Strade Bianche's inclusion in the Monument list include the race's history, having first been raced in just 2007. However, it already has a rich tapestry of past editions, and has gained huge prestige among the riders. Strade Bianche is also slightly shorter than the other Monuments, which are typically significantly over 200km, with Saturday's men's race only just tipping the scales at 201km. The race's history and length, however, cannot be held against the event itself, as Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Il Lombardia have seen similar levels of dominance over recent years.
In my opinion, Strade Bianche has more individuality, beauty, and challenge than both Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Il Lombardia. The race's unique gravel sections, combined with its stunning Tuscan backdrop, make it a race that should be considered for the Monument status. The complaints from riders about the finishing loop are valid, but they care because they know that Strade Bianche is a special race, and that Pogacar's dominance cannot be held against the event itself.
As the 2026 Strade Bianche come to a close, it is clear that the race has once again delivered an enthralling spectacle, with both men's and women's races providing a rollercoaster of emotions and unexpected twists. Pogacar's dominance and Seixas' promise make for a bright future for the race, while the women's race, marred by an unfortunate incident, serves as a reminder of the fragility of sporting glory.
