Strade Bianche 2017: Preview
Mar 03 2017 01:16 am CET
SUBSCRIBE TO RSS FEEDSThe Strade Bianche is traditionally one of the most unique races on the annual cycling calendar. As a new UCI WorldTour event, the 2017 edition is set to be even more special.
Italian for 'White Streets', the Strade Bianche is known for its extremely tough course with gravel roads and narrow climbs forcing those participating to give their very best. The course is 176 kilometers long, 50 of which take place on gravel.
The start and finish are located in the beautiful city of Siena in Tuscany, allowing for great views throughout the day as the riders cross the famous Italian region.
The race first took place in 2007 and was then won by Russian Alexandr Kolobnev, riding in Team CSC's colors. 'Mister Strade Bianche' is without a doubt Fabian Cancellara. The Swiss multi-talent won the race in 2008, 2012 and again in his final year as a professional, 2016.
Moreno Moser won the race in 2013 and continues to be the only Italian rider to have done so. Gianluca Brambilla came close in 2016 but the Quick-Step rider saw Cancellara and teammate Zdenek Stybar surpass him in the final meters.
Peter Sagan formed part of the four-man lead group until Brambilla's attack, but couldn't keep up to take part in the podium battle. The Slovak will certainly want to do better this year, having already won Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne for his new team Bora-hansgrohe and being in impressive form even though the season has only just started.
Now retired, Cancellara will have to watch as others fight to become his successor. Sagan is a top candidate but both Stybar and Brambilla will be ready to get in the mix as well.
Another big candidate for the victory is Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), who was walking around with crutches only three months ago but confirmed his great shape by winning the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in late February.
Others to keep an eye on in the Italian race include Fabio Felline of Trek-Segafredo, Michal Kwiatkowski of Team Sky and Cannondale's new signing Sep Vanmarcke.
Although Cancellara won't be there to defend his title, 'Spartacus' will still be present in another way. As a three-time winner of the race, the former rider had a stretch renamed in his honor. For those interested; look for the 11.5km Section 8 at Monte Sante Marie.
The 2017 edition is set to become yet another close battle as all of the usual suspects will aim to become the race's first winner in its WorldTour era. No matter who wins it, it will be anything but an easy victory.
