Strade Bianche Men LIVE – Tadej Pogačar approaches the finish ahead of chase group featuring Paul Seixas, Tom Pidcock, Isaac del Toro and others

Yet again, Tadej Pogačar wins Strade Bianche! For a record-breaking fourth time.

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Now he slows down as he approaches the finish smiling, taking in the cheering crowd.

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He’s not holding back, attacking up the finishing climb for as big a win as he can manage.

Pogačar rides under the flamme rouge, one again with a massive lead over the helpless opposition.

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2km to go for Pogačar. Soon he’ll be greeted by the roar of the fans waiting for him at Via Santa Caterina.

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Seixas is still looking so strong. He’s growing his lead over the chasers, back up to 25 seconds, despite receiving no help from a resolute Del Toro.

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Just 5km to go for Pogačar, his lead 1:25. He’s nearing the iconic finishing square in Siena, one of the most beautiful in all of cycling.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

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Still its Seixas doing all the work. This has been a serious display of strength from the young Frenchman, but Del Toro is surely going to be very fresh having sat on for so long.

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The chase group can see De Toro and Seixas up the road. This could be a big fight for the podium.

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So as things stand, Del Toro and Seixas will complete the podium, but their place there remains far from secure with the chase group just 15 seconds behind them.

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Christen has rejoined the chase group behind him.

1:18 is Pogačar’s lead over the two chasers as he enters the final 10km.

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Christen has attacked out of the rest of the chasers and is trying to chase up to Del Toro and Seixas. UAE could be for a clean sweep of the podium at this rate.

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Seixas and Del Toro come off the gravel together, 20 seconds ahead of the chasers.

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Seixas is accelerating on the gravel, but Del Toro is glued to his wheel.

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Pogačar’s finished the section, his lead over the chasing duo still at 1:15. He’s nearly home and dry now.

For the last time today, Tadej Pogačar is on the gravel.

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Seixas’s attack did take something out of Pogačar’s lead, but he still leads by a healthy 1:20 as he enters the final 15km.

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Del Toro has come through to take a turn for the first time, but isn’t pushing at all. He’s still leaving it up to Seixas to do all the work.

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Pidcock is leading the chase behind, with Christen, Jorgenson, G. Vermeersch and Gregoire on his wheel.

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Will there come a point where UAE are confident enough of Pog’s lead, and allow Del Toro to work with Seixas?

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Seixas is pleading with Del Toro to take a turn, but with his teammate up the road, Del Toro is refusing.

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Seixas has gone clear, and he’s taken Del Toro with him again.

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Paul Seixas takes over at the front of the chase group on the gravel climb.

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He’s digging deep on the uphill, swinging from side to side on the road.

Time for the penultimate gravel section for Pogačar.

Still Pogačar’s lead remains at 1:40, with just two more gravel sections to complete.

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Pogačar is grimacing a little, but that’s more a sign of the effort he’s putting in rather than a struggle. He is well in control of this race, with his lead remaining at 1:40.

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Grégoire is leading the chase group on the gravel. They’re still cohesive, and working together, but aren’t making inroads anymore.

Back onto the gravel, the third-to-last section of the day, and the last before they return to the final circuit.

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Pogačar appears to be back in the grove now. His lead’s growing again, up to 1:40.

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The gap between Pogačar and the chasers has steadied again, and is holding at 1:20.

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Pogačar earlier, riding Le Tolfe.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Still the gap comes down, albeit gradually. It’s now at 1:20 between Pogačar and the chasers.

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Gianni Vermeersch and Romain Grégoire have joined up to the first chase group. That could give them added firepower.

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Remember, Pogačar’s lead was up to 1:50 at its highest. It’s come down significantly from that.

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In the second chase group, Ben Healy has been dropped. He’s paying for the many attacks he made earlier.

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Still the gap decreases, now down to 1:20. This is getting interesting…

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Seixas and Jorgenson in the chase behind.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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The gap’s still decreasing, now down to 1:30. Could the unthinkable be happening, and Pogačar is getting tired?

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Both Del Toro and Christen will be passengers in this group, as teammates of Pog. The onus is on Jorgenson, Seixas and Pidcock to do all the work if they press on with this.

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These five are committed, reflected by Pogačar’s lead, which has come down a little to 1:35.

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Five of the chasers have a small gap over the others – Jorgenson, Del Toro, Seixas, Pidcock and Christen.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

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Healy attacks as the chase group arrives onto Strade del Castagno.

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Despite attacking, Pidcock was unable to go clear, and the chase group remains together.

Pogačar’s lead remains at 1:50.

Pogačar’s back on the gravel, this time the 2-star Strade del Castago.

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The crowds up this climb are making it very narrow on La Tolfe, and Healy was briefly held up by them.

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Pidcock attacks.

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Van Aert leads the rest of the chasers on La Tolfe, and has brought back Lapeira and Christen.

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Lapeira has Jan Christen on his wheel, and a gap ahead of the others.

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Lapeira has attacked out of the chase group, as they approach La Tolfe.

Pogačar’s back on the gravel, taking on the 10th section, La Tolfe.

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Pogačar’s lead is really in the ascendancy now. It’s grown to 1:50. Surely there’s no bringing him back now.

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Decathlon are the best represented team in the chase, with Lapeira and Labrosse present to help Seixas.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

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Seixas takes over and accelerates, but though the group is strung out, not much damage has been done.

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Gianni Vermeersch leads the chase group on this section.

Pogačar is now onto the net gravel section. This one is particularly special to him, as it’s been named in his honour following his exploits at previous editions of Strade Bianche.

They definitely aren’t going to catch Pogačar riding like this. Their deficit is up to 1:25.

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The riders in this newly-grown chase group are now attacking each other rather than join together to chase.

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Christen, Bilbao, Lapeira, Gianni Vermeersch, Simmons, Valgren and Clément Braz Afonso are the riders from the second chase group who have now joined the first chase group.

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The second chase group has caught the first. So we now have a big grop of about 15 all together behind Pogačar.

Pogacar’s back on the gravel after a short period of repite, this time the more modest, 2-star section Monteaperti.

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The main chase now has seven riders in it, but could yet be joined by the second chase group, which is only 20 seconds behind.

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Healy has gone clear with Andreas Kron out of the second chase group, and are about to join the Seixas group.

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Here was Pogačar being set up for what looks like it might be a race-winning attack on the Monte Sane Marie.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Despite the coming together, the chase group is going backwards they’re now 1:15 behind Pogačar, and only 15 seconds ahead of the Van Aert/Healy chase group.

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Healy is also in that group, and is attacking it.

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The Van Aert chase group has gotten smaller, with himself and about 7 other riders going clear – among them are Valgren, Simmons, Bilbao, Lapeira and Jan Christen.

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A familiar sight – Pogačar leading the race in his rainbow stripes.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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Del Toro, meanwhile, is just sitting at the back of this group, resting up while his teammate leads the race.

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Can the chasers work together to bring Pogačar back? Right now it’s advantage Pog as his lead grows to 1:00, but there is a lot of firepower in this group if Seixas, Pidcock, Jorgenson and Grégoire are all willing to go hard in this chase.

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Seixas and Del Toro have been joined by the three chasers.

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Paul Seixas is sitting up and waiting for the chasing trio to join. A wise move – persisting alone would have been the mistake of over-zealous youth.

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The all-important moment Pogačar went clear from the others.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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The trio can see Seixas and Del Toro. Can their presence add some impetus to the chase?

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Behind them is a chase group being led by Van Aert, a whole minute behind the Pidcock/Jorgenson/Grégoire group.

So the situation on the road is that Pogačar leads the race, Seixas and Del Toro behind at 30 seconds, and Jorgenson, Grégoire and Pidcock next on the road at 45 seconds.

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The chasing trio of Jorgenson, Grégoire and Pidcock are a further 20 seconds behind them. Might it be more useful for Seixas for them to join him, so he can have some assistance in the chase?

2026-03-07T13:59:25.749Z

The gap’s now being reported as 28 seconds. In which case Seixas might not be out of contention just yet.

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Pogačar has finished Monte Sante Marie, and his lead over Seixas and Del Toro is getting bigger – it’s now up to 45 seconds.

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UAE leading the peloton, before Pogačar’s devastating attack.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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Seixas isn’t giving up the ghost, and is about 20 seconds behind Pogačar. But with Del Toro say on his wheel, things are very difficult for him.

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Del Toro has now caught up to Seixas. UAE Team Emriates are in a perfect situation.

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Pogačar’s gap over Seixas is growing…

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Del Toro is third on the road, and behind him Jorgenson, followed closely by Pidcock and Grégoire.

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Pogačar accelerates again, and he’s dropped Seixas!

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And here comes Seixas – he’s ridden his way back onto Pogacar’s wheel!

Pogačar made his move with about 80km to go, but hasn’t quite blown everyone away just yet.

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Seixas is leading the chase, he’s living up to the hype!

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Seixas, Jorgenson and Del Toro are a few seconds behind Pog.

Here he goes, Pogacar accelerates and is gaining a gap.

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Pidcock is on his wheel, but the others are being distenced.

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Pogacar moves to the front on a downhill part of the gravel sector.

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About 10 riders are clear in a lead group – Pogacar, Del Toro, Pidcock, Gregoire, Seixas, Jorgenson, Lapeira and Labrosse are all there, being led by Jan Christen of UAE.

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There are splits opening up, Healy one of the riders caught behind.

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Pidcock is still up there – his mechanical was a slipped chain rather than puncture, thankfully.

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As is Jorgenson, but his teammate Van Aert is further adrift.

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Del Toro and Paul Seixas are right behind Pogačar in the peloton, which remains large.

Terrible news for Pidcock, who has had a mechanical at just the worst moment.

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The break has been caught.

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Florian Vermeersch leads, Pogacar on his wheel.

Here we go then, the riders swing onto the Monte Sante Marie!

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

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UAE Team Emirates-XRG lead the peloton as they approach the next section, Monte Sante Marie. If history is an indication, this could be where their man Tadej Pogačar first lays the hammer down.

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The break’s lead is collapsing, now down to a mere 20 seconds. The catch could be imminent.

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The peloton’s bigger than 40 riders again – it seems some are catching back on now that they’re back on the tarmac.

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The break up the road, now only 40 seconds ahead.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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The peloton has broken up on this gravel section. It’s been reduced to about 40 riders.

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Matej Mohorič is an outside bet for victory today, having shown something of a return to form early season, and as a master on the gravel as proven by his victory at the World Championships three years ago.

They’re onto the gravel now. This one’s 9.4km, is mostly uphill, and has been given the maximum five star rating. We can expect carnage!

1:30 is the gap now, as they’re about to enter the gravel.

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We’re nearing the San Martino in Grania gravel section. Things are getting tense!

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Taking advantage of a relative lull in proceedings, the break have grown their lead back up to 1:20.

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The much-hyped Paul Seixas has negotiated all of the day’s gravel sections so far, despite his lack of experience here. He’s tried to play down expectations, but many – not least the French public – are anticipating much from him today.

The break is maintaining its lead on this gravel section, remaining 50 seconds ahead of the peloton.

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A crash on the gravel, with three riders down – George Bennett, Markus Hoelgaard and Aaron Dockx.

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The riders are out of the frying pan that was Lucignano d’Asso, and into the fire of the fifth gravel sector, which is 8km with a vicious uphill towards the end.

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The peloton, still being led by UAE Team Emirates-XRG.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The break’s lead is down to 50 seconds, as they continue to ride this gravel sector.

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Though he’ll be riding in service of his teammate Tadej Pogačar, Isaac del Toro has a chance to get a strong result for himself too today. The Mexican is on electrifying form already this year, taking overall victory at the UAE Tour, and, having excelled at the gravel stage of last year’s Giro d’Italia, looks well-suited to Strade Bianche.

They’re back on the gravel for the fourth section, and this one’s a hard one – at 12km it’s one of the longest of the day, and has been rated four stars out of five.

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UAE Team Emirates XRG leading the peloton.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The gap has come down, to 1:25, as the riders prepare for the next gravel section. It could all be about to kick off again.

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The riders present in the break demonstrates how, although a one-day classic known for its road surfaces, Strade Bianche is these days a climber-friendly race. Jack Haig and Patrick Konrad are both riders better known for their exploits in the mountains and stage race GC battles than as classics men.

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The nature of the race and the chaos of the gravel means there are plenty of incidents that go unreported. Here’s Quinn Simmons being held up by an incident earlier. Each rider will have their own individual stories with ups and downs, and we’ll only learn the full picture in the race’ aftermath.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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The riders have crested the Montalcino climb, which is a rare obstacle in this race in that it is a climb, but over a tarmacked road.

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Back to looking at some of today’s favourites.

As well as Tadej Pogačar and Tom Pidcock, Wout van Aert is another former winner taking part today. It’s been a long time since his triumph here in 2020, and changes in the route to make it more difficult, in addition to a decline in his form, has made him a less likely winner. But you can’t write off a man of his quality, even if the Belgian himself is unsure how well he can challenge.

We’re in a holding pattern for now while they climb the Montalcino, the break leading the race by just under 2 minutes, and the peloton not chasing hard just yet.

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The gap’s up to 1:50, as UAE take to the front and start riding tempo. This will likely be the pattern for the coming kilometres, before we reach the fourth gravel sector of the day.

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There are nine riders in this breakaway group:

Tibor Del Grosso (Alpecin-Premier Tech)

Patrick Konrad (Lidl-Trek)

Jack Haig (Ineos Grenadiers)

Tim Rex (Visma-Lease a Bike)

Martin Marcellusi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber)

Davide Toneatti (XDS Astana)

Anders Foldager (Jayco-AlUla)

Adrien Boichis (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe)

Samuele Zoccarato (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort)

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That group has over a minute on the peloton. It seems we have our break of the day!

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A group of about ten has gone clear, and it’s got some impressive names in it, including young talent Tibor Del Grosso.

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While we wait for a break to form, let’s have a look at some of the favourites, the men most likely to take the race to Tadej Pogačar today.

The only other man in the last four years to have won here aside from the Slovenian is Tom Pidcock, who was also second behind him last year. Pidcock says the aim is still to win, however hard that might be against such an opponent.

A small group briefly got a gap, but 30km into the stage and we still don’t have a breakaway formed.

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Another abandoned to report – Luca Paletti of the Bardiani team.

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The riders at the front of the peloton, engaged in the battle to form the day’s break.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

They’re onto the third sector, which has been rated two stars out of five.

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A first glimpse of the peloton up close on the road today. The weather is dry, which will make for a duty race over the white gravel roads.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Still no breakaway, as the riders make their way to the third sector.

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Unfortunately, we already have news of abandonments – Albert Withen Philipsen, Kim Heiduk and Robbe Dhondt are all out of the race. It’s unclear if they were involved in a crash.

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The peloton is through the second gravel sector, but still remains together with no break having gone clear yet.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Now comes the second gravel sector of the day, Bagnaia – and unlike the first, this one is also uphill. The riders really are thrown into the thick of things right from the off at this race.

Still no break has been formed, as the riders take on the famous white gravel roads for the first time today.

Time for the first gravel sector of the day! There are a total of fourteen of these spread out across the day, amounting to 64 of the race’s 201km.

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None of the fallers seem badly hurt, and all are back riding again.

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There’s been a crash already, and we’re not even onto the gravel roads yet. About half a dozen riders have gone down.

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Pogačar at the start, with some of the peloton’s national champions – most notably Quinn Simmons in his American champion’s jersey.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

And they’re off! The 2026 Strade Bianche is officially underway.

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Early predictions of it being a mild, dry day have come into fruition, and so the peloton are set to take on the infamous gravel roads in their dry form, rather than the wet mud that has been the case in some recent editions.