Strade Bianche Women 2026: Preview, Contenders and How to Watch

As the Strade Bianche Women approaches its 12th edition, excitement builds in the cycling world. Scheduled for March 7, 2026, this one-day classic will challenge the peloton over a grueling 133 km course through Tuscany, featuring eleven sectors of the iconic white gravel roads. The race culminates in a challenging ascent up the steep Via Santa Caterina, leading to the historic Piazza del Campo in Siena.

The Course

The 2026 Strade Bianche Women will once again test riders with its demanding terrain, combining white gravel roads and sharp climbs. The course favors strong puncheurs and all-rounders, with opportunities for decisive breakaways on both the gravel sectors and short, steep climbs. Historically, the event has seen thrilling solo attacks and tiny lead groups battling for the lead as they approach the final climbs.

Top Contenders

Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ)

Demi Vollering enters the race as the clear favorite. She has demonstrated exceptional early-season form, securing victories at the Vuelta Ciclista Setmana and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Vollering has previously won Strade Bianche in 2023 and 2025, and her experience navigating the tough course will be a key asset. FDJ United-SUEZ is focused on supporting Vollering, aiming to avoid the scenario seen at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad where a surprising winner emerged due to teams marking each other.

Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto)

Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney is another strong contender, having finished second to Vollering at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. She was the only rider able to follow Vollering’s attack on the Muur van Geraardsbergen, indicating good form for Strade Bianche. Niewiadoma-Phinney has a strong racing history with Vollering, having won the Tour de France in 2024, while Vollering won in 2023. Despite nine top-10 finishes in eleven starts, she has yet to win the Italian classic.

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike)

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot returns to road cycling after a successful mountain biking career, having won Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France in 2023. She finished third in the 2025 edition of Strade Bianche. She will be supported by Marianne Vos, a 14-time world champion, who is starting her 20th year as a professional cyclist. Vos had stage wins at the Vuelta and Tour in 2025 and finished second at Milan-San Remo.

Anna van der Breggen and Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)

Anna van der Breggen also returned to road racing in 2025, finishing second to Vollering in Siena. She will co-lead SD Worx-Protime with Lotte Kopecky, a two-time winner of Strade Bianche (2022 and 2024). Kopecky aims to be a “wildcard” option during the Spring Classics.

Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ)

Italian Champion Elisa Longo Borghini has not won Strade Bianche since 2017 but has been on the podium four times. She arrives in good form, having won the UAE Tour for a second consecutive year.

Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech)

Puck Pieterse transitions from cyclo-cross racing to the Spring Classics, bringing strong form. She had a fifth-place finish at Strade Bianche in 2024 and several top-10 performances in one-day races last spring.

Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal)

Kim Le Court-Pienaar will lead AG Insurance-Soudal, arriving in top form after finishing fourth overall at the UAE Tour.

Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly)

Magdeleine Vallieres will race in her new World Champion jersey after winning the elite women’s road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Kigali.

How to Watch

Strade Bianche Women will take place on March 7, 2026. Further details on broadcast and streaming options will be available closer to the event.