Strade Bianche: When is it? Who’s riding? How to watch?

The 2024 cycling season continues in earnest as the world’s top riders head to Italy to take on the iconic roads of the Strade Bianche.

Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) is looking to go back-to-back in Tuscany after his dramatic win here last year.

But a host of big names will be hoping to take the crown off the Brit, with Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) and Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) lining up in a strong field.

In the women’s race, Demi Vollering (SD-Worx) is the defending champion and likely to be among the leading contenders once again.

We look at everything you need to know about Strade Bianche, including when the men’s and women’s races take place, how to watch on Eurosport and discovery+, the route and who is racing…

When is Strade Bianche?

Strade Bianche will take place on Saturday, March 2.

How to watch Strade Bianche

You can watch all of the action from Strade Bianche live on the Eurosport app, eurosport.co.uk and discovery+.

Coverage of the men’s race starts at 12:00 UK time, with the women’s race available to watch from 14:00.

Who is riding Strade Bianche?

The last two winners of the men’s event, 2023 champion Pidcock and 2022 winner Pogacar, will both bid for glory.

But there is a talented pack of riders who will compete with them, including Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step), Kuss, Simon Yates (Jayco AIUla), Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPort), Thomas and Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers).

Demi Vollering will defend her title in the women’s race, alongside SD Worx team-mates Lotte Kopecky and Mischa Bredewold.

Kopecky came second last year and will be aiming to get the better of Vollering this time round.

What is the route for Strade Bianche?

Strade Bianche is held in Tuscany, Italy, with the men’s and women’s races both starting and finishing in Siena.

The men are competing over a 215km course and the women over 137km.

There are 11 gravel sectors for a total of 63km of gravel in a twisty and undulating men’s route, with an exhausting climb to Piazza del Campo to finish.

Although without extended climbs, the unpaved sections will prove challenging.

The women face more than 31km on the gravel across eight sectors

Gilbert profiles iconic roads of the Strade Bianche

Stream all the top cycling action, including the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, live and on-demand on Eurosport, the Eurosport app and discovery+.