This one-day race is unmistakably Tuscan, from its eponymous white gravel roads to the finale in medieval Siena’s central square
‘Fear? There’s always fear,’ says Diego Ulissi. ‘Fear is part of the DNA of every bike racer. The important thing is managing it.’
The fear is heightened at Strade Bianche on its treacherous gravel sectors. Fear of the If you’re a Tuscan, there’s also the fear of performing unknown: crashes, punctures and mechanical problems. poorly in front of your family, friends and fan club.
An instant Classic since its first running in 2007, this March one-day race is unmistakably Tuscan, from its eponymous white gravel roads to the cypress trees and finale in medieval Siena’s shell-shaped central square, the Piazza del Campo. But it means even more than stunning scenery and handsome WorldTour points for its handful of local competitors. UAE Team Emirates veteran Ulissi is one, hailing from Donoratico, 100km northwest of Siena. He lives in the Swiss city of Lugano but is still a red-blooded Tuscan who grew up idolising Paolo Bettini and loves a glass of Ornellaia; his mother even works for the renowned winery.
‘Strade Bianche feels like coming home,’ Ulissi says. ‘I can’t wait for this race, for its charm and its beauty. It’s unique in its genre, and the sensation of seeing my parents again and people who want the very
