In the nine years since Strade Bianche arrived on the pro cycling calendar, it has quickly attained a revered status among pros, fans and the media. They call it, “The Youngest Classic,” and, “The New Monument.” Is it really on par with true, established classics like Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix? The action at the 2016 edition certainly asserted its status as among the grandest, most beautiful and most challenging of one-day races.
In an epoch when the fever for competitive cycling and adventure riding have converged in the form of gravel racing, Strade Bianche resonates deeply with its signature white gravel roads paired with traditional tarmac racing. The route traverses ancient towns and ends in a devastating 18% climb to the finish that provides a visual spectacle on par with all of our sport’s best annual moments. The giants of the peloton come out and swing hard at Strade Bianche, fighting for the win in front of the cycling-mad tifosi, who pack the final kilometer and the spectacular finish chute in Siena’s town square. It is a race fit for kings, and in his final season, Fabian Cancellera proved why he has earned the crown of a classics legend.
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Just a few steps from the course, a lady looks up at the thwomping blades of the race helicopter.
The final section of dirt, Le Tolfe, has seen some impressive moves in the past, but rarely has the decisive move gone on its short but steep slopes. The same held true in 2016. Pedals were mashed, shoulders rocked, and legs screamed, but the status quo held. Not long after, on the remaining twisting kilometers into Siena, the day’s Italian hero, Gianluca Brambilla, launched what looked to be the winning attack.
After a day full of tests, when the riders make the right turn on to Via Fontebranda, there’s but one test remaining: the climb into Siena.
As the race hit the final climb to the Piazza del Campo in the center of Siena, Etixx-QuickStep’s Gianluca Brambilla looked to have the race in hand. Brambilla, who had been on the attack for the last 70km, was pushed by the collective screams of a thousand countrymen lining the final climb: DAI! DAI! DAI! SU! SU! SU!
From there, Fabian Cancellara, one of the greatest riders in the history of cycling, had the chance to enjoy his final victory at the Strade Bianche. This win on in Siena was the third and last of his career – he’ll retire at the close of this season.
Belgian Classics standout Greg Van Avermaet has come close on numerous occasions at the Strade Bianche. He was a player on Saturday, but couldn’t follow when Sagan threw his powerful hand down on the table. Still, fighting for 5th place, but painfully far from the win, his effort was immense, and the crowd gave him every last drop of their energy.
…in all her glory. This short, extremely steep set of massive bricks is about 300 meters long and averages 18%. It’s a mighty punch in the gut for the battle weary peloton.
The end of a bike race isn’t a finite thing. The winner crosses the line, but the rest of the field can follow upwards of an hour behind. For everyone not in the race, the day ends at varying moments. For the fan, they turn their back on the barriers, walk down the street, and maybe turn into a small cafe to chat about the day.
© 2026 STRAVA
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