Strade Bianche may not be considered one of bicycle racing’s Monuments, but for many cyclists, it is nothing less than an equal to the world’s oldest and most prestigious Classics. And this year’s epic edition—crowned by an 81-kilometre solo breakaway by Tadej Pogačar—will only cement its stature.
Rouleur photojournalist James Startt was on hand for the men’s race, hopscotching around the Tuscan countryside from white road to white road in an effort to capture the majestic nature of this race, not to mention a shot or two of Pogačar.
Italian fans show up early to catch a glimpse of the cyclists before the start of this year’s Strade Bianche.
The peloton rolls out of Siena at the beginning of this 215 kilometre event.
The peloton drops down into one of the early gravel sections in Bagnaia.
French national champion Valentin Madouas – second at Strade Bianche in 2023 – races past a Tuscan farmhouse, so typical of this region of central Italy.
Constantly at the front early in the race, UAE Team Emirates drove the pace over the Pieve di Salti sector in an effort to set up their leader Pogačar.
With the gravel roads wet by sudden rain, Tadej Pogačar made sure he remained near the front.
Nielson Powless and Geraint Thomas struggled in the final kilometres of the San Martino sector.
After attacking on a descent 81 kilometres from the finish, Tadej Pogačar – caked in mud – powers over the Monte Santa Maria gravel section.
Tadej Pogačar, doing what he does best, alone at the front.
Sepp Kuss, just one of the many defeated in this year’s race, leads the chase.
American national champion Quinn Simmons was well-placed for much of the race, but a crash destroyed his chances and he would not finish.
Pogačar remains calm during his long solo effort.
The peloton makes its way up the Tolfe climb surrounded by a sea of fans.
This fan in downtown Siena had a front row seat for the final of this year’s Strade Bianche.
With nearly a three-minute lead, there was no grimacing from Pogačar on the final climb into Siena, only smiles, knowing that he had authored one of the great exploits in modern cycling.
After a strong performance in Belgium’s opening weekend of classics, Latvia’s Toms Skujiņš accelerates in the final meters of the Santa Caterina climb in the heart of Siena. He would gap Lotto-Dstny's Maxim Van Gils for an impressive second place.
Tom Pidcock, winner here last year, could not fight for victory again this year, but he still muscled a solid fourth place.
Popular Danish rider Magnus Cort Nielsen rolls through old Siena on his way back to the team bus, a finisher of this year’s Strade Bianche along with 105 others.
