Organizers for the Strade Bianche have revealed the 2024 route, which features new gravel sectors and an added distance to the men’s race that takes the Italian Classic to over 200 kilometers in length for the first time in its history.
The 2024 men’s and women’s routes were officially announced today, with both routes including a new finishing loop added before the Siena finale, as well as two new sectors that will see the peloton take on the Colle Pinzuto and Le Tolfe sectors twice, increasing the number of gravel sectors from 13 to 15.
Additionally, the added final loop, which will see the riders head north and back east from San Miniato instead of directly south to Siena, adds an extra 30 kilometers to the route bringing the total to 214.8 kilometers.
“This year we wanted to make some changes to the route, and so we created this double circuit, which will increase the difficulty and mileage of both races, as well as give the fans at the roadside the chance to enjoy the show multiple times,” Mauro Vegni, the head of cycling at RCS Sport explained at the route presentation in Siena.
“As a result of this decision, for the first time, the men’s race will be longer than 200 kilometers. We will see how the race will develop. Every year, this event gives us strong emotions and great cycling moments such as in 2023 the photo-finish victory of the women’s race by Demi Vollering, or the winning attack by Thomas Pidcock in the men’s race.”
This is the first time that the men’s race surpasses the 200-kilometer mark, bringing its length more in line with the 240-kilometer-long Monuments, perhaps bolstering Strade Bianche’s claims of being the unofficial sixth Monument.
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