The Strade Bianche, one of the most iconic one-day races in the cycling calendar, is synonymous with its unique and challenging blend of gravel roads, undulating hills, and breathtaking Tuscan landscapes. Since its inception in 2007, the race has become a prized event for riders, offering a perfect opportunity for classics specialists to test their mettle. However, recent changes to the race route have sparked concern among some of the sport’s most seasoned riders. Gianni Vermeersch, a well-respected Belgian classics rider, recently voiced his apprehension about how the evolving nature of the Strade Bianche may discourage top-tier athletes, including the likes of Mathieu van der Poel, from continuing to race in the event.
Vermeersch’s comments come at a time when the Strade Bianche, long seen as a true test for riders who excel in the classics, has increasingly been reshaped by changes in its course, both in terms of length and difficulty. These modifications, which have added more challenging segments and modified the intensity of key sections, have led to concerns that the race might no longer be as accommodating to the pure classics specialists. In a recent interview, Vermeersch expressed concerns that riders like van der Poel, known for their ability to excel on a variety of terrains, may find the race too difficult to approach seriously.
The Changing Landscape of Strade Bianche
Strade Bianche, or “The White Roads,” is unique in its offering: the majority of the race takes place on gravel roads, known as strade bianche, which are much more demanding than the typical asphalt roads that dominate most of professional cycling’s calendar. The race’s allure comes from its combination of gravel sectors, challenging climbs, and the unpredictable nature of riding on rough terrain. For a rider to succeed here, they need a mixture of skills—power, endurance, and the ability to handle tough conditions.
Over the years, however, the event has undergone several changes in its route, designed to enhance the race’s spectacle and competitiveness. Although these alterations are not necessarily new, they have certainly made the course increasingly difficult. Originally set at around 190 kilometers, the Strade Bianche route has been modified multiple times, with a general trend toward adding more distance, more gravel sections, and steeper climbs, often referred to as “the hellingen” of the race. While these changes might make the race more exciting for some fans, riders like Vermeersch are beginning to express concerns that the balance may be tipping too far.
Vermeersch, a seasoned rider known for his performances in classic races such as Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders, noted that the course is becoming increasingly demanding. He explained, “It’s becoming really difficult for a classics rider to contend with this type of race, especially when you add in all the variations and challenges.” According to Vermeersch, riders who traditionally excel on races like Strade Bianche — including Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, and even the legendary Fabian Cancellara — might find themselves increasingly unable to perform at their best due to the relentless nature of the course.
Van der Poel’s Struggles and the Changing Demands
Mathieu van der Poel, a true all-rounder and one of the sport’s brightest stars, has made Strade Bianche one of his key targets in recent seasons. Known for his power, agility, and adaptability across a wide range of terrains, van der Poel has the skills to tackle both road and gravel races. However, his experience at Strade Bianche has been mixed, with both triumphs and near-misses. Van der Poel’s performances are often marred by mechanical issues or crashes, incidents that are often exacerbated by the treacherous gravel sections and tricky terrain.
Vermeersch noted that the increasing difficulty of Strade Bianche, including the changes to the race’s profile, could push riders like van der Poel to reconsider whether it is worth committing to such a gruelling event each year. He pointed out that while van der Poel thrives in tough conditions, there comes a point where the demands of a race might outweigh the benefits, particularly when other races on the calendar offer less risk and more predictability. “For someone like Van der Poel, it’s not just about toughness. It’s about knowing that you can race at a high level without the constant worry of mechanical problems or crashes,” said Vermeersch.
The added length and harsher conditions of Strade Bianche have forced teams to rethink their strategies, particularly when it comes to riders’ conditioning and preparation. With a larger number of gravel sectors and the incorporation of steeper climbs, it’s no longer just about having the ability to power through tough terrain; riders need to possess an even higher level of versatility and endurance. And for a rider like van der Poel, who juggles an intense racing schedule, the toll of adding such a demanding race to an already packed calendar might not be worth the risk.
The Impact on the Classics Riders
The so-called “classics riders”—those who specialize in races like Paris-Roubaix, Tour of Flanders, and, of course, Strade Bianche — are beginning to face a situation where their skills are no longer the sole determining factor in their success. According to Vermeersch, the physical requirements of the race have shifted in such a way that even the best-prepared riders can struggle to keep pace with newer race profiles. The route changes have made it harder for riders who specialize in handling cobbled roads and gravel to manage the increasing lengths and gradients of the climbs.
In the past, Strade Bianche offered a more level playing field for these riders with its unique combination of gravel and road. But as the race evolves, it has begun to lean more heavily toward longer, more arduous sections, which benefit riders who can ride at sustained high speeds across varying terrains rather than those who can handle the intricacies of cobbled sectors and gravel roads.
Vermeersch added that these changes would most likely affect the performance of sprinters and tactical riders, potentially making it harder for a rider to mount a late surge in the race. The current profile of Strade Bianche is, according to Vermeersch, moving toward a format more suited to riders who excel on mountain stages—not classic specialists who thrive in one-day races with a shorter but sharper intensity. This shift, he believes, could result in fewer high-profile names making Strade Bianche a key target, or worse, opting out entirely.
The Future of Strade Bianche and Its Role in the Classics Calendar
As Strade Bianche continues to grow in prominence, its place within the calendar has shifted from a well-kept secret of the cycling world to a major fixture of the spring season. However, with growing concerns over its evolving route, one must wonder if it will continue to hold the same allure for the riders who helped build its reputation as a must-race event.
The race has always offered a challenging blend of toughness and spectacle, but whether or not it can continue to maintain its identity as a premier classic without alienating its core group of riders remains to be seen. For Vermeersch, the Strade Bianche needs to strike a balance between preserving the spirit of its rugged, gravel-centric roots and evolving in a way that does not alienate the type of riders who made the race famous in the first place. “It would be a shame to see riders like van der Poel or others shy away from it,” Vermeersch concluded. “The race still has so much to offer, but it needs to consider the needs of the riders who make it special.”
In the coming years, Strade Bianche organizers may face a delicate balancing act in preserving the event’s essence while keeping it relevant for both riders and fans. As for van der Poel and other top classics riders, the next few seasons may be critical in determining whether the Strade Bianche will remain a key part of their racing calendars or if it will gradually slip into obscurity as too difficult a challenge to conquer. Only time will tell whether these adjustments will drive the biggest stars away or if they will rise to the occasion and adapt to the ever-changing demands of one of the most iconic races in professional cycling.