Following the successful victory at Trofeo Laigueglia, Bahrain Victorious will remain in Italy to take part in Strade Bianche on March 7, the iconic race that marks the opening of the Italian UCI WorldTour Classics season.
Strade Bianche will feature some changes to its route while preserving the unique charm of one of cycling’s most spectacular races, set against the backdrop of Siena with its iconic finish in Piazza del Campo and the traditional start from the Fortezza Medicea.
The 2026 edition will cover 203 kilometres with more than 4,100 metres of elevation gain, featuring 14 gravel sectors totalling 64.1 km, reduced from 16 sectors and 81 km of gravel in 2025. The race remains characterised by a constantly rolling profile across the Crete Senesi, with short steep ramps, technical gravel sections and relentless terrain that rarely allows riders to recover.
After the start in Siena, the race quickly reaches the first gravel sectors before heading through Radi and Buonconvento and tackling the paved climb to Montalcino (4 km at 5%). The middle part of the race features two long gravel sectors, including the demanding San Martino in Grania. The decisive point traditionally comes on Monte Sante Marie (11.5 km), the longest and most selective sector of the race. The finale then unfolds on the steep Colle Pinzuto and Le Tolfe sectors before the iconic uphill finish in Siena’s Piazza del Campo.
Bahrain Victorious will head to Siena with two leaders: Matej Mohorič and Pello Bilbao, both of whom have already achieved top-five results in recent editions of the race (Mohorič in 2024 and Bilbao in 2025).
Matej will be making his sixth appearance at Strade Bianche, having also finished sixth in 2023. Bilbao has a strong history in the race as well, with seventh place in 2023 and fifth in 2022 too.
Also in the line-up is Attila Valter, a former mountain biker, who finished fourth in 2022 and fifth in 2023 and considers Strade Bianche one of his favourite races. He could play a key role in supporting the team leaders, particularly on the decisive Monte Sante Marie sector.
Providing crucial support for the leaders will also be Afonso Eulálio, who is expected to stay with Mohorič and Bilbao deep into the race and assist them through the decisive sectors.
The line-up is completed by Edoardo Zambanini, Fran Miholjević and Pau Miquel, who will work to protect the leaders during the early and middle phases of the race while coordinating communication between the riders and the team car.
Bahrain Victorious Sports Director Enrico Gasparotto commented:
“History is always a source of important insights for the present or the near future, and history tells us that Bahrain Victorious riders have always had a fairly good relationship with this race. Matej and Pello have fought for important results here in the past.
So we arrive motivated and ready to maintain this trend again this year. We hope to use the momentum from the last races, where we achieved some great results, to aim for something important here.
Of course the level of the start list is extremely high. As in previous years, Pogačar will start his season here and will want to begin strongly right away. The list of competitors is very strong, but we feel ready to leave our mark.”